Air China Cargo ramps up Glasgow Prestwick operation

Air China Cargo has expanded its operation between Chengdu and Glasgow Prestwick Airport to daily on the back of rising demand. The service, which operates between Prestwick and Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport, had been operating four times per week until yesterday, when the frequency was increased. The service largely carries e-commerce from China, but in the opposite direction, takes Scottish exports such as salmon, seafood and whisky. The Scottish airport said that Air China Cargo's new daily service brings the total number of scheduled cargo flights to 15 direct to China, with the trade routes expected to facilitate over £250m of cross-border trade in 2026. The airline launched services to the airport in June last year. "The move to daily flights to Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport reflects the strength of demand for direct cargo connectivity between the UK and China," said Ian Forgie, chief executive, Glasgow Prestwick Airport. "Prestwick is increasingly recognised by international carriers as a strategic cargo gateway linking the UK with key Chinese logistics hubs, enabling Scottish exporters to reach major regional markets quickly and reliably." "Chengdu is one of the most important logistics hubs in western China, and a critical gateway into the southwestern regions of the country," said Colin Dai, regional director, Asia, Glasgow Prestwick Airport. "Daily connectivity enables Scottish exporters to move premium products such as salmon, seafood, and whisky into China while also supporting faster and more reliable imports into Scotland from one of China's most dynamic manufacturing regions." Last month, the airport celebrated having handled 25m parcels through its Terminal E facility.

STG Logistics - the deal that broke the intermodal playbook

In a nutshell: The fourth-largest US domestic intermodal provider is in Chapter 11 with $1.2 billion in debt, a lender war, and a sale toggle that just hit its deadline. What happens to 15,000 containers and who's watching the clock? (My previous coverage from mid-Jan can be found here) There is a particular species of private equity acquisition that looks brilliant in the PowerPoint and catastrophic in the rearview mirror. STG Logistics' $710m purchase of XPO's North American intermodal division (one ...

Atlas Air Worldwide places largest order for A350 freighters

Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings has placed the largest order so far for Airbus' next-generation A350 freighter aircraft, marking a move away from a Boeing-dominated widebody fleet. The New York-based lessor and operator has placed a "landmark" order for a total of 20 of the aircraft, with options for 20 more of the model. Atlas said that it had secured early delivery positions for the next-generation aircraft, with deliveries due to begin in 2029 and be completed in 2034. The model will support "strategic expansion and broaden Atlas' fleet offerings for its customers across global cargo and charter markets, offering strong payload-range capability and fuel efficiency". Atlas Air Worldwide chief executive Michael Steen highlighted the current age of the global widebody freighter fleet, an issue he has highlighted in the past. "As retirements of older widebody freighters accelerate, the large widebody freighter market will remain constrained, with limited new capacity entering the market," said Steen. "This strategic investment reinforces our long-term confidence in global airfreight demand, and positions Atlas to meet that demand and support future growth." He added that Atlas was "proud to become the largest customer for the Airbus A350F". "This order reflects our commitment to maintaining the industry's most modern and fuel-efficient widebody freighter fleet to best serve existing and new customers worldwide. "The A350F is a highly capable, reliable platform, with incremental payload and range benefits, and a strong sustainability profile." As well as adding Airbus aircraft to the fleet, the move will also add Rolls-Royce to the company's supplier base, "offering optionality and supporting our global operations and continued growth". The order marks a move away from Boeing, which currently dominates the Atlas fleet of 113 aircraft made up of Boeing 747s, 777s, and 767s. Airbus chief executive of commercial aircraft Lars Wagner added: "Atlas Air's selection of the latest generation A350F - the first in the US - represents a pivotal moment, cementing the A350F's position as the preferred true all-new-generation freighter for the world's most demanding cargo operators. We very much look forward to seeing it flying in Atlas' colours." One of the main selling points of the A350F is its large maindeck cargo door and fuselage length and capacity optimised around the industry's standard pallets and containers. Over 70% of the airframe is made of advanced materials, resulting in a 46-tonne lighter take-off weight than the competing derivative. The A350F is also the only freighter aircraft that will fully meet ICAO's enhanced CO₂ emissions standards, coming into effect in 2027.