Scottish Salmon Exports Hit 1M kg via Glasgow Prestwick 2026

Key points

• Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) has exported more than one million kilograms of Scottish salmon since 1 January 2026, marking a major milestone for the airport’s cargo operations and the Scottish seafood sector.
• The volume follows the launch of Prestwick’s dedicated Scotland–China seafood export service in September 2025, supported by a seven‑figure investment in cool‑chain infrastructure, specialist handling staff, and temperature‑controlled facilities.
• The airport’s seafood export operation now includes high‑volume metal detectors, temperature exposure and tracking systems, and 87 tonnes of chiller capacity, enabling time‑sensitive perishable freight to move efficiently.
• Air China Cargo has increased its Prestwick–Chengdu route from four flights a week to a daily service since March 2026, raising Prestwick’s direct scheduled cargo flights to and from mainland China to 15 per week (11 operated by Air China Cargo and 4 by China Southern Logistics).
• Ethiopian Airlines has added three weekly cargo flights between Prestwick and Hong Kong, further cementing the airport’s role as a gateway for Asian trade and opening routes into high‑growth markets such as South Korea and Vietnam.
• Ian Forgie, Chief Executive Officer of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, told reporting outlets that every hour saved between catch and final market helps protect product quality, shelf life and exporter value, and that the one‑million‑kilogram figure shows large‑scale use of the new service.

Glasgow (Glasgow Express) May 15, 2026 – Prestwick Airport has passed the one million kilogram mark for Scottish salmon exports in 2026, underlining the growing importance of the Ayrshire hub in the global seafood trade.As reported by SalmonBusiness and other trade outlets, Scottish salmon shipments to China began flying through Prestwick’s new seafood export operation in early 2026, with commercial volumes including 144 metric tonnes transported to Chengdu since the start of the year. These early flows laid the groundwork for the broader milestone, as multiple exporters and air‑cargo partners built regular schedules around the airport’s upgraded facilities.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport’s seafood export service was launched in September 2025 as a Scotland–China route, backed by a multi‑million‑pound investment in equipment, dedicated cool‑chain personnel and temperature‑controlled facilities, according to a statement distributed by the airport and carried by industry news site Meantime Global.

The airport’s infrastructure includes high‑volume metal‑detection systems, continuous temperature monitoring and tracking, and 87 tonnes of chiller capacity, all designed to meet the strict requirements of perishable seafood exports.

Ian Forgie, Chief Executive Officer of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, told aviation and trade reporters that the one‑million‑kilogram figure was

“an important marker for the airport and for the Scottish seafood sector”,

showing that exporters are using the new service at scale. He added that the investments in cool‑chain facilities, people and specialist handling provide producers with a faster and more resilient route to market, and that every hour saved between catch and final market helps protect quality, shelf life and value for exporters.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport how has it become a major gateway for salmon bound for Chinese consumers?

The airport’s new seafood export service was timed to capture rapidly growing demand for Scottish salmon in China. According to data and trade commentary cited by BBC News and SalmonBusiness, Scottish salmon exports to China have risen sharply in recent years, with 2025 figures showing a 28 per cent increase in value to £97 million and a 55 per cent rise in volume to 12,700 tonnes.

Chinese buyers have increasingly sought premium farmed salmon, creating an incentive for exporters to secure faster, more reliable air‑freight routes.

Prestwick’s Scotland–China service was developed in partnership with freight forwarders and salmon producers, including Mowi, the world’s largest salmon producer, which has used the airport as a key export hub for shipments to Chengdu.

As reported by SalmonBusiness and echoed in Glasgow Prestwick Airport’s own communications, Mowi’s use of Prestwick has helped demonstrate the reliability of the cool‑chain infrastructure and long‑haul logistics for perishable Scottish seafood.

The airport’s location in Ayrshire, combined with its upgraded cargo handling and proximity to major salmon farming regions in western Scotland, allows producers to shorten the farm‑to‑flight window.

This has been highlighted by airport and logistics executives as a key selling point, since accelerated transit times help maintain low core temperatures and reduce the risk of spoilage on long‑haul routes into Asian markets.

How has the increase in scheduled freighter services affected salmon exports via Prestwick?

The one‑million‑kilogram milestone coincides with a broader ramp‑up in scheduled cargo capacity at Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

As reported by SalmonBusiness, Air China Cargo increased its Prestwick–Chengdu route from four flights per week to a daily service in March 2026, expanding available tonnage for Scottish seafood exporters.

The frequency increase was part of a wider strategy to strengthen air‑freight links between Scotland and central China, with salmon explicitly cited as a core commodity on the route.

With the upgrade, Prestwick’s direct scheduled cargo flights to and from mainland China now total 15 per week, according to the same report: 11 operated by Air China Cargo and 4 by China Southern Logistics.

This network provides exporters with multiple weekly options for shipping salmon, allowing them to stagger consignments and avoid over‑reliance on a single carrier.

In addition to the China‑focused expansion, Ethiopian Airlines has added three weekly cargo flights between Prestwick and Hong Kong, as noted in industry coverage and in the airport’s own communications.

These flights reinforce Prestwick’s role as a gateway for Asian trade and open onward connections into markets such as South Korea and Vietnam, where demand for premium salmon and other seafood products is growing.

What specific facilities and systems does Prestwick use to handle large‑volume salmon exports?

Prestwick’s seafood export operation has been developed to meet the technical demands of air‑freighted salmon, which must be kept at tightly controlled temperatures throughout handling and loading. According to material published by the airport and picked up by trade outlets, the operation includes high‑volume metal‑detection systems to screen cases without compromising transit times.

Temperature exposure and tracking systems are also in place, allowing real‑time monitoring of consignments and ensuring that any deviation from the required range can be flagged quickly.

The airport’s 87 tonnes of chiller capacity are spread across refrigerated storage areas and temperature‑controlled transport units, enabling large volumes to be held safely while awaiting departure. This capacity is particularly important during peak periods, when multiple exporters may be dispatching consignments on the same day.

The dedicated cool‑chain personnel assigned to the seafood operation are trained in perishable‑cargo procedures, further reducing the risk of handling errors that could affect product quality.

As reported by Meantime Global and reflected in statements issued by Glasgow Prestwick Airport, the investment in these facilities was framed as a strategic move to secure Prestwick’s position as a specialist hub for Scottish seafood exports.

The airport’s leadership has pointed out that the cool‑chain capability not only supports salmon but also creates opportunities for other high‑value perishable products such as shellfish and speciality meats.

What does the one‑million‑kilogram mark signal for Scottish salmon producers and the wider aquaculture industry?

The one‑million‑kilogram milestone comes at a time when Scottish salmon has cemented its status as one of the UK’s leading food exports. As reported by BBC News, salmon exports increased in tonnage by 9 per cent in 2025, while value rose sharply, underlining the sector’s resilience despite global trade uncertainties.

With Asia now a key growth region, the new Prestwick–China route has helped diversify export channels away from traditional European and North American routes.

In practical terms, the volume of salmon moving through Prestwick indicates that multiple producers are now treating the airport as a primary export gateway rather than a contingency option. This shift suggests growing confidence in the reliability of the cool‑chain, flight schedules and customs‑handling procedures on the Scottish–China corridor.

For smaller and mid‑sized exporters, the presence of regular, scheduled freighters can reduce the need to consolidate shipments through larger hubs such as London or Amsterdam, potentially cutting costs and transit time.

From a logistics‑sector perspective, the milestone also highlights how a regional airport can carve out a niche in high‑value, time‑sensitive cargo.

Prestwick’s transformation into a dedicated seafood‑export hub has been cited by trade analysts as an example of how regional infrastructure can support national export ambitions, particularly in sectors with strict cold‑chain requirements.

Background of this development

This development sits within several overlapping trends in Scottish and global seafood trade. Scottish salmon farming has expanded steadily over the past decade, supported by upstream investment, improved survival rates and growing international demand.

In 2025, HMRC data showed that international sales of Scottish salmon surpassed £820 million, with China emerging as one of the fastest‑growing individual markets.

At the same time, European and UK‑based salmon exporters have faced new challenges, including tighter biosecurity rules, environmental regulations and occasional trade barriers in key markets. This has increased the incentive to develop alternative routes and logistics solutions that can keep products competitive in distant markets.

Prestwick’s seafood export service, launched in late 2025, was designed to respond to these pressures by providing a faster, more direct air‑freight option into China and wider Asia.

The airport’s prior focus on freight and logistics, including its role in serving other perishable and high‑value goods, created a foundation that could be adapted for seafood. By committing to cool‑chain equipment, dedicated staff and expanded airline capacity, Prestwick has effectively turned a regional cargo base into a specialist node for the salmon‑export chain.

Predictions

Looking ahead, the one‑million‑kilogram milestone suggests that Prestwick is likely to remain a core node in Scottish salmon logistics, particularly for high‑value, time‑sensitive consignments bound for Asia. For salmon producers, the established route to Chengdu and the newer Hong Kong connections could encourage further investment in air‑freight‑ready packing and processing, as companies seek to maximise shelf life and flexibility.

For exporters and freight forwarders, the expansion of scheduled freighter capacity at Prestwick may lead to more competitive pricing and service options, especially as additional carriers explore opportunities on the Scotland–Asia corridor. If demand continues to grow, the airport may face pressure to further expand its chiller capacity and handling slots, particularly during peak export periods.