Prestwick Airport Secures Ethiopian Airlines E-Commerce Flights, Prestwick 2026

Key Points

• Glasgow Prestwick Airport has secured three new weekly cargo flights with Ethiopian Airlines from Hong Kong, operating on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
• The service aims to increase e-commerce volumes and marks a significant step in scaling Prestwick’s e-commerce operations, with Hong Kong as a key inbound gateway.
• Ian Forgie, Chief Executive Officer of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, highlighted the introduction of a purpose-built, fast-track cargo handling model for e-commerce to set a new benchmark for speed and efficiency.
• Royal Mail and EVRi joined Prestwick earlier this year to celebrate 25 million e-commerce parcels passing through its facility, with cargo growth creating over 250 direct jobs.
• Nico Le Roux, Business Development Director of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, noted that the service demonstrates how regional airports can rebalance global flows by pairing inbound e-commerce with outbound premium exports.
• New routes to South Korea and Vietnam provide Scottish exporters more direct access to high-growth markets and an efficient routing model for global logistics partners.
• Prestwick currently handles 15 flights to and from mainland China, with the additional three Hong Kong flights per week; growth in long-haul cargo services is expected to facilitate up to GBP 250 million in cross-border trade.

Glasgow (Glasgow Express) April 24, 2026 – Glasgow Prestwick Airport has secured three new weekly cargo flights operated by Ethiopian Airlines from Hong Kong, boosting its role in e-commerce and international trade.

These flights will operate every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, focusing on inbound e-commerce cargo while supporting outbound exports to Asia. The development builds on Prestwick’s existing network, which includes 15 weekly flights to and from mainland China, positioning the airport as a growing hub for UK-Asia logistics.

Why Has Glasgow Prestwick Airport Partnered with Ethiopian Airlines?

The partnership introduces scheduled services from Hong Kong, enhancing Prestwick’s e-commerce capabilities. As reported in the official announcement from Glasgow Prestwick Airport, the flights mark “another big step in growing Prestwick’s role as a key UK gateway for Asian e-commerce and trade.”

Ian Forgie, Chief Executive Officer of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, stated:

“These new flights mark a significant step in scaling Prestwick’s e-commerce operation, with Hong Kong now a key inbound gateway into our network.”

He further explained:

“By introducing a purpose-built, fast-track cargo handling model for e-commerce, we’re setting a new benchmark for speed and efficiency, enabling goods to move through the airport faster than at other hubs and reach end customers more quickly and reliably.”

This follows earlier milestones, including the processing of 25 million e-commerce parcels through its Terminal E facility. Royal Mail and EVRi participated in celebrations earlier this year for this achievement, which came after over 600 e-commerce cargo flights, 10,000 pallets, and 23,000 tonnes of imports since May 2025.

What New Routes Are Involved and How Do They Benefit Scottish Exporters?

The new Hong Kong flights pair inbound e-commerce with outbound routes to high-growth Asian markets. Nico Le Roux, Business Development Director of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, said:

“This service demonstrates how regional airports can rebalance global flows, pairing inbound e-commerce with outbound premium exports to improve utilisation and strengthen supply chain resilience.”

He added:

“New routes to South Korea and Vietnam also give Scottish exporters more direct access to high growth markets and a more efficient routing model for global logistics partners.”

Specifically, outbound flights on Wednesdays route to Hanoi, Vietnam, before continuing to Hong Kong, with interest noted in connections to South Korea.

Prestwick’s cargo network has expanded with services like Air China Cargo’s daily flights to Chengdu, up from four weekly, which landed for the first time on 15 March 2026. This reflects rising demand for UK-China trade links, supporting exports such as salmon, seafood, and whisky.

The airport now handles 12 scheduled cargo services per week to China, contributing to projections of tripling cargo volumes by March 2026, with 21 wide-bodied freighters weekly and over 3,800 tonnes monthly.

How Has Cargo Growth Impacted Jobs and Trade at Prestwick?

The expansion has created over 250 direct jobs, linked to increased cargo operations. Airport officials estimate the network could support more than GBP 250 million in cross-border trade during 2026.

This builds on Prestwick recording its sixth year of profit in a row as of December 2025, driven by e-commerce flights from China. Chief Executive Ian Forgie noted cargo volumes are projected to triple in the fiscal year to March 2026, accommodating over 150 new jobs at that stage.

Earlier developments include Air China Cargo and China Southern Airlines opening UK bases at Prestwick in 2025, further solidifying its long-haul cargo position.

What Role Does Prestwick Play in UK E-Commerce and Regional Airports?

Prestwick’s model emphasises fast-track handling for e-commerce, differentiating it from larger hubs. The additional three Hong Kong flights per week strengthen this, adding to the 15 China flights.

As a regional airport, it rebalances trade flows, offering Scottish businesses efficient access to Asia without reliance on major London airports. This aligns with broader UK cargo trends, where direct connectivity supports time-sensitive exports like seafood.

The growth underscores regional airports’ potential in global logistics, with Prestwick processing significant volumes since its first scheduled e-commerce flight in May 2025.

Prestwick’s developments continue to attract international recognition for its trade links with China and now Hong Kong.

Background of the Development

Glasgow Prestwick Airport has transformed from a former passenger hub into a dedicated cargo and e-commerce centre since divesting from passenger services. Key milestones include launching long-haul cargo in 2025 with Air China Cargo and China Southern Airlines establishing bases, leading to 12 weekly China services. The 25 million parcel milestone in February 2026 highlighted over 600 flights and 23,000 tonnes processed since May 2025. Profitability for six years, as reported by BBC in December 2025, stems from e-commerce growth, with volumes set to triple by March 2026. Air China Cargo’s daily Chengdu service from March 2026 further boosted capacity. These steps positioned Prestwick for the Ethiopian Airlines Hong Kong routes announced this week.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Scottish Exporters

This development can provide Scottish exporters with direct access to South Korea and Vietnam via outbound legs, potentially reducing transit times and costs compared to routing through larger hubs. It can facilitate up to GBP 250 million in cross-border trade by enabling efficient pairing of inbound e-commerce with premium exports like salmon, seafood, and whisky to high-growth Asian markets. Regional logistics partners can benefit from improved supply chain resilience and utilisation, as noted by airport officials. Job creation beyond the 250 direct roles may continue if trade volumes grow as projected. Scottish businesses in time-sensitive sectors can gain faster market entry, supporting overall export expansion without heavy dependence on southern England airports.