Glasgow Prestwick Airport has confirmed it is in talks to establish a new cargo route with Nanjing Lukou International Airport in China in 2027, as it continues to expand its direct connections with East Asia, as announced by Aviation Business News. The route would add a direct link between Scotland and one of China’s largest provincial economies, and Jiangsu provincial authorities have confirmed their backing.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport is located in South Ayrshire, Scotland, and positions itself as a freight and e-commerce gateway serving the UK and northwest Europe. It has reported six consecutive years of profit, and its turnover and EBITDA were not stated in the announcement. Nanjing Lukou International Airport serves Jiangsu province, and its financials were also not stated.

The proposal was discussed at a meeting in Nanjing between Prestwick chief executive Jules Matteoni, regional director Colin Dai and local officials. Discussions will now continue on the commercial and operational requirements, with further details on the operator and launch schedule to be announced in the coming months.

“China is an increasingly important part of our cargo network, and a direct link with Nanjing would strengthen the options available to businesses moving goods between the United Kingdom and one of China’s largest provincial economies,” said Matteoni. “We are working with our partners in Jiangsu to establish a route that can support long-term demand, strengthen trade links, and create economic opportunities at both ends of the connection.”

“Every new connection into China creates another opportunity for exporters to reach customers and supply chains more directly,” said Dai. “Jiangsu has a substantial manufacturing base, and we see a clear opportunity to build stronger cargo flows in both directions while giving businesses in Scotland and across the United Kingdom greater access to the Chinese market.”

Prestwick already hosts over 20 weekly scheduled services to China, with direct links to Urumqi, Guangzhou, Chengdu and Shanghai. According to Air Freight News, it has processed more than 25 million e-commerce parcels through its dedicated cargo facility since May 2025, with Air China Cargo and China Southern Air Logistics having opened UK operating bases at the airport in 2025.

For the sector, the talks show a Scottish airport extending a fast-growing China cargo network into a new provincial market.