After the many Chinese-related press releases, Nico Le Roux, Business Development Director, PIK, speaking at the Air Cargo Southeast Asia Expo, Singapore on 29OCT25, shared that Glasgow Prestwick Airport is expanding its India-focused cargo operations to meet surging demand for premium Scottish exports, particularly salmon and whisky. This initiative leverages the UK’s recent free trade agreement with India, which is set to eliminate tariffs on Scottish salmon and sharply reduce duties on Scotch whisky – from 150% to 75%, with further decreases projected. As a result, Scotland’s salmon industry, which will likely see the current 30% tariffs fall away altogether, gains full access to the world’s third-largest fish market (12 million metric tons of seafood consumed in 2021), while whisky volumes shipped to India already hit record highs in 2024, with 192 million bottles exported – over 200% growth in a decade, making it Scotland’s largest whisky export market by volume. Scotch whisky exports to India have reached approximately GBP 248 million in value, and tariff reforms could potentially drive figures up to GBP one billion within five years. Prestwick is now seeking new full freighter services and partnerships to support these booming UK-India trade flows, building on past successes in direct cargo routes to key Asian markets. Nico Le Roux, Business Development Director, Glasgow Prestwick Airport, said: “The Indian subcontinent, on the back of the recent Indo-Anglo trade agreement, is a key target for Glasgow Prestwick Airport for 2026. 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. 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.”
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