Glasgow Prestwick Airport to expand India cargo operations supporting expected boost in UK exports

by

“Prestwick Airport is actively seeking out full freighter airline partners to serve the Indian market,” Le Roux (second from right) told delegates at the Air Cargo Southeast Asia Exhibition and conference.

Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) is targeting India as it seeks to expand its cargo operations in response to growing demand for Scottish salmon and whisky, Nico Le Roux, Business Development Director, PIK, told delegates attending the Air Cargo Southeast Asia Expo in Singapore.

The development builds on the progress of the United Kingdom–India Free Trade Agreement, which will remove tariffs on Scottish salmon and reduce duties on Scotch whisky from 150 per cent to 75 per cent, with further cuts expected.

“The Indian subcontinent, on the back of the recent Indo-Anglo trade agreement, is a key target for Glasgow Prestwick Airport for 2026,” said Nico Le Roux, Business Development Director, Glasgow Prestwick Airport.

“Scotland’s national export ambitions to India are well defined, and Prestwick will provide an unrivalled European gateway for India’s pharmaceutical, medical equipment, and garment industries.

“We are looking to mirror the successful collaborations we created with Chinese carriers, and are actively seeking out full freighter airline partners to serve the Indian market.”

India is now the largest export market for Scotch whisky by volume, according to the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA), with the equivalent of 192 million bottles exported in 2024, representing growth of more than 200 per cent over the past decade.

By value, Scotch whisky exports to India reached approximately GBP 248 million in 2024, while the SWA projects that tariff cuts could increase exports by up to GBP one billion within five years.

“Expanding our connections with India will ensure faster, more efficient routes for Scotland’s key products to reach one of the world’s fastest-growing markets while offering Indian manufacturers a superb hub in Europe,” added Le Roux.

According to trade association, Salmon Scotland, tariffs on Scottish salmon exports to India are expected to fall from around 30 per cent to zero under the new trade agreement, opening access to the world’s third-largest fish market, which consumed nearly 12 million metric tonnes of seafood in 2021.

Last week, PIK was shortlisted Cargo Airport of the Year Europe at the annual Payload Asia awards 2025.