Glasgow Prestwick teams up with Chicago Rockford on air cargo
13 / 11 / 2024
Nico Le Roux (left), business development director, Glasgow Prestwick Airport and Zack Oakley, executive director, Chicago Rockford International Airport. Photo: Glasgow Prestwick Airport
Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) in Scotland and Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) in the US have signed a joint development agreement to promote cargo flights between the two locations.
The partnership aims to strengthen the air cargo trade lane connecting PIK and RFD, plus facilitate the sharing of information between the airports to optimise air cargo business.
Both PIK and RFD run full-service operations 24/7, with no curfews and no night flying or handling restrictions, allowing for continuous cargo operations at either end.
“We are looking forward to getting underway with this new partnership with RFD, and working with another regional cargo hub to grow this high-potential trade lane,” said Nico Le Roux, business development director, PIK.
“Our initial focus will be on aerospace cargo, as both PIK and RFD are positioned within large aerospace industry clusters.”
Several high-value aerospace manufacturers operate within the catchment areas of both PIK and RFD, while e-commerce is another major focus of the partnership.
RFD is an established e-commerce hub and PIK was recently appointed as an e-commerce hub for the UK Royal Mail Group.
“The Chicago-UK air cargo market flow amounts to over 26,000 tons annually and is currently underserved by direct air cargo routes to Scotland,” said Zack Oakley, executive director, RFD.
“Developing the air cargo connections between PIK and RFD aims to rectify this, while supporting the emerging growth factors for air cargo across the perishables, automotive, pharma, and e-commerce sectors.
“The partnership also allows us to help shippers secure significant cost savings and Co2 reductions, aligning with both airports’ sustainability goals.”
The development agreement was announced at The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA)’s Air Cargo Forum event, held in Miami from November 11-14.
PIK recently spent £2.2m on cargo equipment, cold storage solutions and an x-ray machine as it looks to speed up handling times.
Meanwhile, RFD recently said it is targeting further growth in the pharma trade from India after recently welcoming its first shipment of the type from the country.
