Prestwick Airport and Chicago Rockford Airport pen agreement

Bosses at the nationalised airport have signed a joint development agreement with Chicago Rockford International Airport to promote cargo flights between the two locations.

The partnership aims to strengthen the air cargo trade lane connecting PIK and RFD, and to facilitate the sharing of information between the airports.

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.

Nico Le Roux, business development director at Prestwick, said: “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.

“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.

E-commerce is another major focus of the partnership, following Prestwick’s appointment as Royal Mail Group’s international e-commerce gateway to the UK.

Zack Oakley, executive director at Rockford, said: “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.

“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’s Air Cargo Forum event, held in Miami from November 11-14.

Earlier this month, Prestwick announced a £3.2 million operating profit for the year 2023-24 – making it the fifth year in the green.