Manchester Airport on Wednesday, November 20, announced a landmark deal to connect the North with Shanghai, China?s biggest city and an economic powerhouse.
Chinese carrier Juneyao Air has chosen the Northern hub for its first-ever UK service, which will operate three times a week using the state-of-the-art Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. It will start services by the end of March 2020.
It will be a boost for the 180,000 people and businesses within Manchester Airport?s catchment area who already travel to Shanghai every year.
Andrew Cowan, CEO of Manchester Airport, said: ?This news underlines the critical role Manchester Airport plays in connecting people and businesses across the North to the world?s most important markets.
?We have seen first-hand how new routes to high-growth economies can unlock significant trade, cultural and knowledge exchange opportunities and this will be no different.
?We are delighted that Juneyao Air has recognised everything the North has to offer, in terms of its business base, natural and cultural assets and world-leading universities when choosing to launch this new service.
?I would like to thank all those who have worked hard to strengthen our region?s ties with China, especially the Manchester China Forum, in recent years.?
Shanghai is home to the world?s busiest container port and seen as a major hub for finance, innovation and transportation.
Juneyao?s services with operate initially via Helsinki, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. It will arrive into Manchester at 08.30 and depart for Shanghai at 10:00. It will operate a Dreamliner, with business and economy cabins, on the route.
Wang Junjin, Juneyao Air chairman, said: ?Juneyao Air is delighted to launch its first fifth-freedom route to Manchester, and we look forward to developing Manchester?s traffic growth in the coming years. This route will further promote Greater Manchester?s tourism, as well giving Britain an opportunity to boost its trade and investment links to China.?
For more information, go to www.manchesterairport.co.uk
