First e-commerce flight touches down in Prestwick

0
25

Glasgow Prestwick Airport has handled its first full e-commerce cargo flight. Chartered by Zhonger Express and Jumen Logistics, it was operated by Silk Way West Airlines Cargo and carried a 90-tonne consignment for Royal Mail.

Products from two of the four major e-commerce platforms, Temu and TikTok, were on board and representatives were on-site to observe the handling process at Prestwick.

It follows Prestwick’s partnership with Royal Mail to become its UK international e-commerce hub  and appointment of a dedicated sales representative in China.

The airport’s business development director, Nico Le Roux, said: “This flight was an opportunity for us to showcase Prestwick’s efficient and reliable solution for e-commerce imports to the UK. Our expert handling teams offloaded the cargo, broke it down, and swiftly segregated it by area region, before loading onto trucks for onward delivery.”

Earlier this year, Prestwick invested over £2 million in new cargo equipment, including two high loaders and 12 new dollies.  

Prestwick’s Business Development team is now working towards regular e-commerce flights in the new year and is working with Scottish exporters to ship whisky and salmon to the Far East on the return leg of e-commerce flights.