Glasgow Prestwick Airport has entered an agreement with Chinese carrier Beijing Capital Airlines, a member of Hainan Airline Group, to launch a regular freighter service linking Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) with Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport (CGO).

The first flight, operated by an Airbus A330-243 (P2F), arrived at Glasgow Prestwick Airport on Thursday 16 October, marking the start of a four-times-weekly schedule.

Beijing Capital is the third cargo airline to realise the opportunity that exists at Glasgow Prestwick in the last six months.

The hub said each flight will carry e-commerce goods and general cargo  inbound to the United Kingdom and premium produce including Scottish salmon and whisky along with other high value goods outbound to China.

"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 rxecutive 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," he added.

The agreement marks another milestone in Prestwick's long-term cargo development strategy, which focuses on building sustainable, high-frequency routes that connect UK exporters with major international trading centres.

"Together, these services confirm Prestwick's role as one of the UK's key cargo hubs for China trade and e-commerce," the report said.