Glasgow Prestwick Airport (Prestwick) has secured three new weekly cargo flights with Ethiopian Airlines from Hong Kong.

The service will operate on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, increasing ecommerce volumes.

Prestwick said in a statement that this will also strengthen the airport's growing role as a UK cargo gateway for Asian trade, opening routes to South Korea and Vietnam for Scottish exports.

"These new flights mark a significant step in scaling Prestwick’s e-commerce operation, with Hong Kong now a key inbound gateway into our network" said Ian Forgie, chief executive officer, Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

"By introducing a purpose-built, fast-track cargo handling model for e-commerce, we’re setting a new benchmark for speed and efficiency, enabling goods to move through the airport faster than at other hubs and reach end customers more quickly and reliably."

 (Source: Glasgow Prestwick Airport)

Royal Mail and EVRi joined Prestwick earlier this year to celebrate 25 million ecommerce parcels passing through its ecommerce facility, and the growth in cargo services has created over 250 direct jobs.

Nico Le Roux, business development director, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, said the service demonstrates how regional airports can rebalance global flows, pairing inbound ecommerce with outbound premium exports to improve utilisation and strengthen supply chain resilience.

"New routes to South Korea and Vietnam also give Scottish exporters more direct access to high growth markets and a more efficient routing model for global logistics partners," he said.

Prestwick currently handles 15 flights to and from mainland China and now an additional three from Hong Kong per week.

Its growth in long haul cargo services is expected to facilitate up to GBP250 million (US$338 million) in cross border trade.

"Ethiopian Airlines' new thrice weekly cargo service between Hong Kong and Glasgow Prestwick is a significant boost to the e-commerce operations between the two airports," said Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Mesfin Tasew.

"As a global airline growing its network in both regions, we are delighted to launch the new thrice weekly flights and be part of the link."

Scottish salmon exporters, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, and other perishable industries benefit from Prestwick's dedicated cool chain facilities and specialist import and export services.