The partnership will see a four-times-weekly Airbus A330 freighter take off between Prestwick and Zhengzhou, strengthening Scotland’s direct trade links with China.

The inaugural flight landed at Glasgow Prestwick on Thursday, marking a significant expansion of the airport’s international cargo network and strengthening its position as one of the UK’s leading air freight hubs.

This milestone also represents the third new cargo airline to begin operating at Prestwick within the last six months, demonstrating the growing recognition of the airport’s strategic location, capacity, and strong logistics offering.

Each flight will carry a mix of e-commerce and general cargo inbound to the UK, while outbound services will export premium Scottish and UK produce – including salmon, whisky, and other high-value goods – to the Chinese market.

“This third scheduled service underlines Prestwick’s position as one of the United Kingdom’s leading cargo hubs and demonstrates the strength of our e-commerce solution,” said Ian Forgie, chief executive officer, Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

“Our new partnership with Beijing Capital Airlines expands capacity, increases frequency, and offers exporters throughout the UK a new destination in mainland China.”

The addition of Beijing Capital Airlines builds on Prestwick’s long-term cargo development strategy, which focuses on creating sustainable, high-frequency routes connecting UK exporters with major international trading centres.