More new routes from Manchester

SCANDINAVIAN airline SAS is to launch a new direct route from Manchester to Bergen in Norway. The airline said the service will replace a route from Gatwick which will cease operations next month.

Hans Dyhrfort, SAS Regional general manager for the UK, Ireland & Iceland, said: “We are delighted to be extending our existing network from Manchester, which already includes direct routes to the three Scandinavian capitals, Oslo, Stockholm and Copenhagen. Manchester is a key regional hub for SAS and this decision is perfectly in line with SAS’ regional development.”

Andrew Harrison, managing director of Manchester Airport, said: “Norway is proving popular for passengers looking to travel to and from Manchester and we are pleased to have Bergen served by SAS.

“The city itself is well known for being the gateway to the famous fjords and has become one of Europe’s largest ports for cruise ships. We expect passengers travelling from the North will be keen to access unique travel experiences like the ones offered in Norway.”

It is the second new route to be announced by the airport within the past few days.

Bangladesh’s national airline, Biman, has also announced that it will begin a service from Dhaka to Manchester next month.

The twice-weekly service will fly on Wednesdays and Saturdays and will become the furthest direct route served from Manchester, with the flight taking around ten hours.

Mohammed Salahuddin, regional manager for Northern UK at Biman Bangladesh Airlines, said: “It’s a dream come true for both Biman and the large Bangladeshi community residing in the northern part of the UK.

“I hope Biman will fulfil the expectations of the British Bangladeshi community in the North by providing a quality product, with its new generation of modern aircraft and an improved ground and in-flight service.”