Cathay Pacific to launch direct Hong Kong flight from Manchester

TRADE and cultural links between the region and China have taken a major step forward as Far East airline Cathay Pacific revealed that it is launching direct Manchester to Hong Kong flights in December.

Manchester Airport chiefs and the wider city region, have been working hard to secure a direct service for around three years, and the four-weekly flights to Hong Kong are expected to be followed by a service to mainland China in the next 12 months.

The Manchester service, which begins on December 8,  will be operated by Boeing 777-300ER and offer three-classes of travel, Business, Premium Economy and Economy.

Manchester Airport’s research indicates that more than 200,000 people from within its catchment travelled to Hong Kong via Heathrow or through other European hubs in 2013, and believe a direct service will woo significant numbers of these travellers.

Inbound flights will arrive in Manchester from Hong Kong at 0620, every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Flights will depart from Manchester the same day, departing at 1200 and will arrive in Hong Kong at 0755 every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

Angus Barclay, general manager Europe at Cathay Pacific said the economic upturn, and upturn in Chinese interest in investing and studying in the North West, and the availability of the new, efficient aircraft, made Manchester a compelling proposition.

He said: “We are committed to forging stronger links between the UK and China. We already currently operate five flights a day from London Heathrow to Hong Kong and the addition of the Manchester route provides a real opportunity to help stimulate economic growth in the North West.

“We continue to see an ever-increasing demand for air travel to and from the Asia Pacific region for both business and leisure traffic.

“This will be the only non-stop direct service from Manchester to Hong Kong; Cathay Pacific offers passengers even more choice and flexibility and, at the same time, will boost Manchester’s standing as an International hub.”

Charlie Cornish, chief executive of Manchester Airports Group, owner of Manchester Airport, added: “This announcement follows lengthy discussions with airlines regarding direct flights from Manchester to Hong Kong and mainland China.

“It is therefore satisfying to see Cathay Pacific recognise the potential of Manchester Airport’s business, leisure and ethnic catchment strength by providing direct services from here. We know that more than 100,000 passengers currently begin their journey in the North West and travel to Hong Kong so we are keen to serve that demand direct.”

Mr Cornish said the direct route to Hong Kong would also support MAG’s Airport City development by providing additional connectivity for companies that will be based on site in the future.

He added: “We are sure the route will be successful and we welcome the reduction in Air Passenger Duty in the recent budget, which we envisage will encourage other airlines to announce long-haul routes from Manchester that are currently being actively considered.”

Wang Weibo, executive director, Beijing Construction Engineering Group International UK Ltd, (BCEGI), which is a partner in Airport City, also welcomed the new route.

He said: “All of BCEGI is looking forward to the new route coming to Manchester Airport. Not only will our colleagues be able to benefit from it, but it will be advantageous and attractive to other Chinese businesses who are thinking about relocating to Airport City Manchester, which is progressing at a great speed.”

Cathay Pacific, which has been operating a freight service from Manchester since 2002, previously operated a passenger flight too, but this was axed in 2001.

At its peak of Manchester-Hong Kong passenger traffic, Cathay Pacific operated a daily Boeing 747-400 service between 1994-2001. This was operated via Paris or Amsterdam and was never a direct service. Numbers peaked in 1994 at 145,388 passengers.