Glasgow Prestwick Airport has announced its sixth consecutive year of operating profit, reporting £3.5 million for the financial year ending 31 March 2025. This marks an increase of £300,000 from the previous year’s performance. The robust results are largely attributed to a significant expansion in its cargo operations, particularly a strategic focus on e-commerce flights from China.
The airport, which is owned by the Scottish Government, has already surpassed its annual operating target within the first six months of the current financial year to September 2025, underscoring a period of “transformational growth” in its cargo sector. This strong performance comes amidst substantial investment, with approximately £10 million reinvested over the past 18 months into airfield infrastructure, ground services equipment, and security enhancements.
Prestwick’s success in attracting e-commerce carriers has seen two Chinese flagship airlines establish bases at the airport in May 2025, initiating scheduled daily services to China. These now include Air China Cargo, China Southern Air Logistics, and Beijing Capital Airlines, operating 16 weekly full freighter services to major Chinese hubs such as Chengdu Shuangliu, Guangzhou Baiyun, and Zhengzhou Xinzheng airports. Previously, there were no dedicated freight flights between Scotland and China. The airport has become a key UK gateway for trade between Asia and Europe, driven by the global surge in e-commerce, which now accounts for over one-fifth of global air cargo volumes.
Chief Executive Ian Forgie stated that cargo volumes at the airport are projected to treble in the financial year to March 2026. He noted: “the Airport currently handling 21 wide-bodied freighters a week and more than 3,800 tonnes of cargo a month,” which has resulted in the creation of over 150 new jobs.
Mr. Forgie added: “This positions Prestwick Airport as a first-class export gateway for Scottish exports such as high value seafood and whisky which are in high demand in mainland China and Hong Kong.”
The Scottish Government acquired Prestwick Airport for a nominal £1 in November 2013 to prevent its closure and safeguard a vital strategic asset and local jobs. Despite previous attempts to return the airport to private ownership, including recent talks with a preferred bidder that ultimately fell through in November 2025 following a UK national security review, the airport remains in public hands.
Beyond cargo, the airport continues to serve as an important base for budget airline Ryanair, its sole main commercial passenger airline, which celebrated 30 years of operations at Prestwick in 2024. Ryanair also completed a £5 million investment in its on-campus training facility in November 2024, expected to support hundreds of new engineering and technician roles. Additionally, Prestwick maintains its strategic role in defence, regularly hosting transatlantic military flights and high-profile visits, such as those by Air Force One and Air Force Two earlier this year.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes lauded the airport’s achievements, stating:
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“These impressive results show that Glasgow Prestwick Airport continues to be a valuable economic asset for both Ayrshire and Scotland.”
“This strong performance would not have been possible without the work of the management team, the board and the workforce, which has established an excellent reputation for service quality in a competitive international market.”
Ms. Forbes expressed her determination “to see Glasgow Prestwick Airport continue to grow and prosper,” highlighting that “The fact the airport has already achieved its revenue targets for 2025/26 six months early is testament to the strengths and strategic direction the airport is developing in an incredibly competitive market.”
