Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) and Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) announced a joint agreement on 12 November, aiming to boost the aerospace and e-commerce industries.

The deal will facilitate information sharing between PIK and RFD to strengthen US-Scottish air cargo trade.

With neither airport subject to curfews, night flying limits or handling restrictions, cargo operations can run continuously between PIK and RFD.

The agreement will also profit from both airports’ proximity to major aerospace manufacturer hubs.

Prestwick’s Aerospace Campus is home to international businesses such as Spirit Aerosystems, BAE Systems and Collins Aerospace. Rockford’s aviation maintenance facility is used by repairs companies including Emery Air, Code 1 Aviation and Chronos Aviation.

Business Development Director at PIK Nico Le Roux commented:

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.

A win for e-commerce

After PIK became Royal Mail’s international e-commerce hub in the UK in June, the PIK-RFD deal will also focus on the e-commerce sector.

Executive Director at RFD Zack Oakley stated:

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.

Airport representatives announced the agreement at The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA)’s Air Cargo Forum in Miami.

PIK was Glasgow’s second-busiest airport by passenger in 2023 and its largest by freight tonnage, while RFD was Chicago’s sixth-busiest airport by passenger and its second largest by cargo weight.

In a record-breaking year for air cargo growth, the deal could strengthen the Scottish economy and cement Rockford’s position as one of the fastest-growing cargo airports in the world.

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