Salmon can now be flown from Scotland to China every day
Cargo operator increases service between Chengdu and Prestwick
Air China Cargo has expanded its operation between Chengdu and Glasgow Prestwick Airport to a daily service on the back of rising demand, reports Air Cargo News website.
The service between Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport and Prestwick was launched in June 2025 and had been operating four times per week until yesterday, when the frequency was increased. It carries Chinese goods to Scotland and exports such as salmon, caught seafood, and whisky, to China.
“Chengdu is one of the most important logistics hubs in western China, and a critical gateway into the southwestern regions of the country,” Prestwick’s regional director for Asia, Colin Dai, told Air Cargo News.
“Daily connectivity enables Scottish exporters to move premium products such as salmon, seafood, and whisky into China while also supporting faster and more reliable imports into Scotland from one of China’s most dynamic manufacturing regions.”
15 scheduled flights
Air China Cargo’s new daily service brings the total number of scheduled cargo flights to 15 direct to China, with the trade routes expected to facilitate over £250 million of cross-border trade in 2026.
In February, Prestwick marked more than 25 million parcels passing through its Terminal E facility since May 2025 when the first scheduled e-commerce flight from China landed. Expansion was driven by both Air China Cargo and China Southern Airlines opening UK operating bases at the airport.
China was the third most valuable export destination for Scottish salmon last year, increasing by £21.1m (28%) to £97m. France (£337.6m) and the United States (£300.6m) were the biggest consumers of Scottish salmon.
