Manchester – Beijing confirmed

New direct flights between Manchester and Beijing operated from next summer by Hainan Airlines, China’s fourth largest carrier, were confirmed on Friday.–

The announcement came as Xi Jinping, President of China, and Prime Minister David Cameron visited Manchester Airport as part of the Chinese leader’s state visit to the UK.

The two leaders also unveiled plans for the £130m 'China Cluster' project at Airport City Manchester.

Hainan Airlines will begin operating the new route from 10 June 2016, when Manchester will become the only UK airport outside London to offer direct scheduled services to mainland China.

Some 100,000 passengers a year fly the route, which is reckoned to be worth at least £250m in economic benefits to the UK over the next decade, with two-thirds being felt directly in the Northern economy in terms of increased jobs, economic activity and travel. 

By providing a non-stop service, the new route will also generate journey time savings worth £5m every year for business passengers and avoid the inconvenience of changing planes at another airport.

Announced in October 2013, Airport City Manchester is a joint UK-China development venture. The £130m 'China Cluster' there will provide a commercial base and office space for Chinese businesses arriving in the UK.  www.hainanairlines.com   www.manchesterairport.co.uk

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