Airline planning Shanghai-Manchester route
TRADE and cultural links between the North West and China could be set for another major step forward – with the launch of a second direct mainland route, this time to Shanghai.
With Hainan launching its Manchester-Beijing service next summer, it has emerged that Air China has taken the first steps towards beginning a new service next year too.
It has filed an application with China’s Civil Aviation Administration for the new route.
Although not the capital city, Shanghai is China’s biggest metropolis, with more than 23 million people, and it is a major port, industrial and financial centre.
A Manchester Airport spokesperson said:“After what has been a phenomenal year of Manchester forging ties with the Far East, we understand that Air China has applied for a route to Shanghai, which is the first stage of a very long process.
“As always we continue to discuss and progress the commercial case for a wide range of airlines to connect Manchester to key strategic markets across the globe, and as and when these are confirmed we would announce accordingly.”
The large number of Chinese students attending universities in the North West, particularly in Manchester and Liverpool, along with strong trade and cultural links, make the region a compelling prospect for ambitious Chinese airlines.
