Demand rising for direct Manchester-China flights

AROUND a third of last year’s 600,000 passenger journeys from the UK to China originated in the North West.

That’s according to MIDT aviation data which shows 136,000 passengers made their way from Manchester Airport – via London, Europe or the Middle East – to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

A further 65,000 people from the North West travelled over land to London to start their journey.

The data, published in therouteshop.com, shows the extent of demand for direct flights to China from Manchester – which are not yet available.

Last year Manchester Airport signed an agreement with Beijing Capital International in a bid to open up trade and tourism links with the Far East.

It meant it became a sister airport to Beijing and a goal of linking the two with direct flights within 18 months was set. 

Ken O’Toole, chief commercial officer at the airport, said: “China remains a strategic objective for the group and we continue to progress this aim with airlines wishing to operate direct services from Manchester.

“The existing volume of indirect passenger journeys to Asia from the North West, which continues to grow, confirms the viability of direct long haul connections. The introduction of such services will provide vital connectivity for the business community and the large Asian population in the North West.”

China is one of the North West’s key trade partners with exports from the region to Asia and Oceania accounting for around £1bn, or a fifth, of second quarter exports.