Monday, November 4, 2024

Glasgow Prestwick Airport invests in air cargo

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Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Scotland has announced a series of investments to enhance its cargo handling capabilities and speed up processing times. The airport has recently invested £2.2 million in new cargo equipment, cold storage solutions, and an advanced x-ray machine.

The new equipment at Prestwick includes two high loaders with capacities of 20 and 35 tonnes, a heavy-duty pushback tractor that can handle any type of aircraft, 12 new dollies, and a Rapiscan x-ray machine with 7.5mm steel penetration capabilities. Additionally, the airport has upgraded its cold storage facilities, offering a controlled temperature range from -30°C to +25°C.

With these upgrades, Prestwick aims to achieve cargo turnaround times of under two hours for a 90-tonne load. “We have one of the fastest turnaround times for air cargo in the UK, no slot requirements, and no restrictions,” said Nico Le Roux, the airport’s business development director. “This investment is part of our ongoing commitment to providing world-class freight services with 24/7 operations.”

Prestwick boasts the longest commercial runway north of Manchester, capable of accommodating the AN-124, and provides direct links to the UK’s motorway network, a cargo railway siding, and nearby ferry services to Ireland. The airport features over 12,000 square meters of warehouse space with direct access to the cargo apron and in-house cargo handling.

“We average a two-hour turnaround for a wide-bodied freighter aircraft after arrival and can deliver a B747 full palletized offload onto trucks to arrive in Manchester within six hours of landing,” the airport stated.

According to statistics from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, Prestwick handled 10,673 tonnes of freight last year.

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