Airport twinning deal brings China flights a step closer

MANCHESTER Airport bosses will fly out to China next month to sign a twinning agreement with Beijing Capital International Airport – a move they hope will help entice the airlines to offer direct flights from the capital city to Manchester.

Manchester Airport’s chief executive Charlie Cornish will fly to China to sign the agreement, which will name Manchester Airport as the sister airport of Beijing Capital International Airport, in late September.

The deal will see the two airports share best practice and strategy around airport operations.

Manchester Airport has previously held negotiations with Air China about flights to Beijing and the agreement between the airports is seen by management as an important part of the process to encourage Chinese airlines to fly direct.

“The deal brings us closer to the airlines but it does not mean we are doing a deal with an airline,” a spokesperson for Manchester Airport said.

“This agreement gives us a level of access to the airlines that we’ve not had before and deepens the relationship, which of course helps to increase the chances.”

A direct passenger services to China would bring obvious benefits to the region, including access to the country’s huge student population and encouraging Chinese firms to set up stall in Manchester and the wider region.