Chicago Rockford International Airport has signed an agreement with Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Scotland, UK to promote cargo flights between the two locations.
It aims to strengthen the trade lane and to boost information sharing between the airports.
Both airports run full-service 24-hour operations with no night flying or handling restrictions, allowing for continuous operations at either end.
Several aerospace manufacturers operate within the catchment areas of both Prestwick and Rockford.
Prestwick business development director, Nico Le Roux (pictured, left at the TIACA Air Cargo Forum in Miami), said: “We are looking forward to getting underway with this new partnership with Rockford, and working with another regional cargo hub to grow this high-potential trade lane. Our initial focus will be on aerospace cargo, as both Prestwick and Rockford are positioned within large aerospace industry clusters.”
E-commerce is another major focus with Prestwick’s appointment as Royal Mail Group’s international e-commerce gateway to the UK, while Rockford is an established U.S. e-commerce hub.
Rockford’s executive director, Zack Oakley (right), commented: “The Chicago-UK air cargo market flow amounts to over 26,000 tons annually and is currently underserved by direct air cargo routes to Scotland. Developing the air cargo connections between PIK and RFD aims to rectify this, while supporting the emerging growth factors for air cargo across the perishables, automotive, pharma, and e-commerce sectors.
“The partnership also allows us to help shippers secure significant cost savings and Co2 reductions, aligning with both airports’ sustainability goals.”