06 Jun 2025
#1 June 2025: China Aviation Industry Newsletter
Air China Cargo sets up UK hub at Prestwick Airport
Glasgow Prestwick Airport and Air China Cargo have launched a new scheduled freighter service between Guangzhou and Prestwick, Scotland, using Boeing 777F aircraft. With three weekly flights to start, the move brings the total number of China–Prestwick freighter operations to seven per week. The initiative is expected to strengthen bilateral trade and provide Scottish exporters with greater access to China’s vast consumer base.
Glasgow Prestwick Airport CEO Ian Forgie remarked, “We are delighted to announce Air China Cargo has chosen Glasgow Prestwick Airport as its UK freighter base… We are excited to see the possibilities for Scottish exporters as we hope the return flights will become a strong trade lane between Scotland and Greater China.”
BOC Aviation signs lease agreement with Gulf Air
BOC Aviation has ordered nine Airbus aircraft—six A320NEO and three A321NEO—powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines and committed them on long-term leases to Gulf Air. Deliveries are set to begin in 2025. This marks a new customer relationship for BOC Aviation and demonstrates its capability to structure and deliver fleet financing at scale.
BOC Aviation CEO Steven Townend stated, “This transaction provides Gulf Air with nine technologically advanced aircraft... and demonstrates our ability to meet our customers’ financing needs."
Cathay Pacific and Sinopec join forces in a sustainable aviation fuel initiative
Cathay Pacific has entered into an agreement with Sinopec to uplift sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) produced and blended in the Chinese Mainland. The SAF will be used on flights departing from Hong Kong International Airport, making this one of the few cross-border SAF partnerships in the region.
Cathay GM Sustainability Grace Cheung commented, “Our purchase and use of SAF products from ZRCC goes beyond just a fuel uplift… Through cooperation with Sinopec, we hope to support greater adoption of SAF produced in the Chinese Mainland.”
China Cargo Airlines launches Liege–Hefei route
China Cargo Airlines has commenced a new cargo service between Liege Airport in Belgium and Hefei Xinqiao International Airport using Boeing 777F aircraft. This route directly links Europe’s key cargo gateway to one of China’s rapidly growing industrial cities, enhancing supply chain connectivity and boosting east–west trade flows.
Acumen’s Take
On Air China Cargo’s Prestwick Hub
The addition of a second Chinese freighter operator at Prestwick within weeks is a significant endorsement of the airport’s appeal as a low-congestion, 24/7 cargo gateway. With a combined seven weekly flights from China, Prestwick is emerging as a key European node in the Sino–UK air cargo corridor, offering new export channels for Scottish producers and diversifying inbound capacity.
On BOC Aviation’s Gulf Air Lease Deal
This transaction reflects Gulf Air’s fleet modernisation push and BOC Aviation’s strength in placing top-tier narrowbody assets into growing networks. The commitment to CFM-powered NEOs ensures operational efficiency and lower emissions, aligning with regional sustainability goals. This also marks BOC Aviation’s growing relevance in the Middle East leasing market.
On Cathay–Sinopec SAF Collaboration
Cathay’s partnership with Sinopec elevates China’s position in the global SAF value chain, signalling greater readiness among Chinese producers to scale SAF production. It also sets a precedent for future intra-Asia SAF offtake models, especially as regional carriers look to localise green fuel sourcing to meet 2030 emissions targets.
On China Cargo’s Liege–Hefei Link
Liege’s role as Europe’s “freighter first” airport makes it a natural partner for Chinese integrator operations. The Hefei link plugs a high-value Chinese manufacturing centre directly into Europe’s logistics heartland, enhancing responsiveness in time-sensitive and high-volume sectors like e-commerce and electronics.
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