Beijing flight touches down in Birmingham

THE first of a series of summer flights between China and Birmingham has touched down.

A Boeing 767-300 aircraft, operated by Hainan Airlines, arrived at Birmingham Airport from Beijing on Friday with 233 passengers visiting the UK on organised package tours.

The airport is hoping that the move could lead to regular flights between China and Birmingham which could prove a huge boost to the regional economy – an estimated £62m a year from a daily service.

This is the first in a series of flights that will see more than 4,000 Chinese visitors arriving in the region over the summer months through packages offered by Caissa Touristic, one of China’s largest tour operators.

A reception committee to meet the flight included the Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin MP.

He said: “Airports play a vital role in our long-term economic plan so this route between Birmingham and China is a great step forward.
 
“The new service will showcase the West Midlands to thousands of visitors and potential investors.
 
“Birmingham Airport’s work towards a daily service shows their commitment to creating opportunities and new jobs in the region.”
 
Paul Kehoe, CEO of Birmingham Airport, said: “Last year’s test of direct Beijing flights were the result of collaborative working with Birmingham City Council, Marketing Birmingham, VisitBritain and the Government.  I am delighted that we have been able to push on from last year’s success to offer a series of 34 flights this summer.
 
“The Midlands is a powerful engine of growth at the heart of our country and needs direct aviation to succeed. As the only region to have a positive balance of trade with China, we know how much the Midlands tourism and manufacturing industries value this direct connection.

“All involved in the deal intend that these Hainan flights will build over the coming years, before becoming the first scheduled service between a non-London UK airport and mainland China.”

Businesses and business leaders across the region have been quick to welcome this development.

Paul Faulkner, the new CEO of Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “The expansion of the Birmingham-Beijing links will be a tremendous asset to the region’s business community. The West Midlands continues to be the only UK region enjoying a positive trade balance with China and it is vital that we not only maintain that position but improve on it.”

And Steve Brittan, managing director of BSA Machine Tools, said: “At present, BSA use carriers to fly from Birmingham Airport to European hubs or to Dubai to connect with long-haul flights, as this is easier than travelling to Heathrow.

“When BSA visits customers in Taiwan, we do fly from Heathrow via Hong Kong but this incurs the added inconvenience of travelling to and from London: fighting through traffic congestion and incurring parking expense and hotel fees.
 
“These difficulties also affect our overseas customers visiting our plant here in Birmingham. It would be of tremendous benefit and put Birmingham on the international map if Birmingham Airport could cater for long-haul point-to-point services.”

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