The airport’s cargo operations head, business development director Nico Le Roux, described the new Hong Kong Air Cargo (HKAC) service as a “game changer”, projecting a significant boost from the current £3.2 million annual revenue.

The first HKAC flight recently arrived at Prestwick, marking the start of a potential three-times-weekly service carrying up to 60 tonnes of goods per flight from online retailers like SHEIN, Temu, and TikTok.

Mr Le Roux said: “The arrival of Hong Kong Air Cargo’s flights is a clear sign that our efforts to develop Prestwick as a leading e-commerce hub are delivering results.

“We have made significant investments over the past year to improve our cargo handling capabilities and attract traffic from the Far East, with new equipment and the appointment of a dedicated airport representative based in Greater China.

“This comes on top of expansion based on our recently announced partnerships with Royal Mail Group and Chicago Rockford Airport in the US.”

The airport’s strategic location, 24/7 operation, and efficient two-hour turnaround times are key advantages, attracting cargo operators seeking speed and cost-effectiveness. Prestwick’s in-house handling, proximity to transport links, and recent investment in cargo equipment, including chillers for fresh produce and mechanisation for future expansion, further enhance its appeal.

“PIK is our first new destination for 2025 and is the ideal choice to support our growing operations into the UK as we will benefit from fast turnaround times and an experienced cargo team,” said Tony Ma, chairman of Hong Kong Air Cargo.

“The hub’s location is ideal for our e-commerce flights, with easy access to road and rail connections, as well as by sea to Ireland, and we are looking to fill our return leg with two of the UK’s biggest exports to the Far East by weight.

“We look forward to working closely with the team at Prestwick to develop this new route.”

Each flight will carry up to 60 tonnes of cargo, which will be processed and sorted at PIK before final mile delivery by Royal Mail Group and EVRI. PIK’s Business Development team is now focussing on securing cargo for the return leg to Hong Kong.

“The next step is ensuring that the return flights to Hong Kong are fully utilised, presenting a major opportunity for Scottish exporters,” said Mr Le Roux.

“Scottish salmon and whisky are highly sought-after in Asia, and this new route provides a direct and efficient means of getting these premium products to the Hong Kong and mainland Chinese market.”

The airport plans to create 64 new cargo jobs to support the increased activity, building on its existing 354-strong workforce and the wider 4,000 jobs it supports in the surrounding aerospace cluster. Prestwick also aims to leverage its partnership with Chicago Rockford International Airport to boost aerospace traffic, The Herald reports.

While acknowledging the geographical challenges of its location, Mr Le Roux emphasised that operational efficiencies and cost savings for airlines offset the travel distance. The airport, rescued by the Scottish Government in 2013, has reported five consecutive years of profit and is now poised for substantial growth in its cargo division.