Glasgow Airport expands its cargo capabilities
Demand for airfreight has grown steadily despite fluctuations in market rates. These trends are encouraging operators to work together to expand the range of services they offer. As part of this approach, Glasgow Prestwick Airport (Glasgow Prestwick) has entered into a cooperation agreement with Chicago Rockford, which operates terminals in Chicago.
Scottish Airport (PIK) and Chicago Rockford Airport (RFD) have entered into a joint development agreement for cargo services. The deal aims to increase capacity on the Glasgow-Chicago route. The companies are also planning joint activities to optimise transport processes. One key area of work will be the exchange of data between the airports.
PIK and RFD airports offer a high level of service to their customers by operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Such a schedule means that freight gets processed quickly and dispatched without delay. In addition, the airports have no restrictions on night flights, which reduces delivery times.
PIK’s Nico Le Roux highlights the significant prospects offered by the partnership with the Chicago terminal. He believes that joining forces with a strong partner will help transform the trade line. Both airports will be able to offer customers a high level of service on the most popular routes.
The main areas of cooperation between the airports are working with aviation and e-commerce customers. In the first case, the location of the facilities plays an important role. They are in the service area of aerospace companies. In addition, Chicago is a major e-commerce centre in the US. Glasgow Airport has also achieved this status through a partnership with the UK Royal Mail Group.
Partnership relevance
Co-operation between British and American companies has been driven by the growth in cargo traffic between the two countries. The flow of airfreight between the UK and the US is in excess of 26,000 tonnes per year. However, there are virtually no direct routes in Scotland to carry this volume of parcels. An agreement between the airports would help solve this problem. It would also have a number of other benefits:
- stimulating airfreight growth in the transport of perishable goods;
- increased freight in the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors;
- growing trade in the e-commerce sector;
- providing cost savings for shippers;
- helping to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Airports are making serious efforts to meet their targets. Glasgow, for example, has purchased cargo equipment to keep perishable goods at the right temperature for transport. As part of its expansion, the airport also purchased an X-ray machine to speed up cargo screening. The investment in upgrades amounted to £2.2 million. Chicago, meanwhile, is increasing the number of flights to transport pharmaceutical products from India.
