Prestwick Opens Urumqi Cargo Route as China Network Reaches 16 Weekly Flights

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Glasgow Prestwick Airport has opened a direct cargo route to Urumqi in northwestern China, adding two weekly flights as the Scottish airport expands a China network that has helped quadruple its cargo volumes year on year.

The service to Urumqi Tianshan International Airport began on September 13 and gives Scottish and UK exporters direct air freight access to another major Chinese market. The route expands Air China’s existing cargo operations from Prestwick to Guangzhou, Chengdu and Shanghai.

With the addition of Urumqi, Prestwick said it now handles 16 scheduled services a week connecting the airport with mainland China, strengthening its position as an increasingly important UK gateway for China related air cargo.

The new route is expected to be particularly relevant for Scotland’s seafood sector, where transit time and temperature control are critical.

Prestwick handled 1.78 million kilograms of Scottish salmon exports during the first six months of 2026. The airport is also expanding its cold chain capabilities as it seeks to accommodate growing volumes of temperature sensitive cargo.

Colin Dai, Regional Director Asia at Glasgow Prestwick Airport, said Urumqi could create additional opportunities for Scottish and UK exporters, particularly producers of salmon, other seafood and whisky.

“Urumqi opens up new opportunities for Scottish and UK exporters, particularly the salmon and seafood sector and Scottish whisky, where speed, reliability, and specialist handling are critical,” Dai said.

Urumqi, the capital of China’s Xinjiang region, gives the Prestwick network a foothold in northwestern China alongside its existing links with major markets in eastern, southern and western parts of the country.

For exporters, the additional destination provides another direct connection into China without relying solely on established gateways such as Shanghai or Guangzhou.

Jules Matteoni, Chief Executive Officer of Glasgow Prestwick Airport, said Air China’s decision reflected the rapid development of the relationship between the airline and airport.

“Air China’s decision to add Urumqi to its Prestwick network is another important step in a partnership that has grown significantly in a relatively short period of time,” Matteoni said.

He said Prestwick had worked with Air China to understand the carrier’s operational requirements and identify areas where the airport could support further expansion.

The two additional weekly flights also establish a direct trade link between Scotland and a region of China not previously served from Prestwick, broadening the airport’s geographical reach as it seeks to diversify its international cargo business.

The Urumqi launch follows a period of strong cargo growth at Prestwick. The airport said freight volumes have quadrupled year on year, supported in part by the expansion of scheduled China services.

Prestwick has also recorded its seventh consecutive profitable year, providing a commercial backdrop for further investment in cargo handling and cold chain infrastructure.

The airport’s strategy is increasingly centred on giving airline partners capacity to expand scheduled freight operations while building specialist handling capabilities for Scottish exports.

With Urumqi now added to Guangzhou, Chengdu and Shanghai, Prestwick’s 16 weekly mainland China services provide exporters with a broader range of direct cargo gateways as the airport seeks to build on the rapid growth recorded over the past year.