Cathay starts direct Hong Kong flights from Manchester

CATHAY Pacific has started direct, non-stop flights from Manchester to Hong Kong, making the airport the only one outside London to offer such a service.

The airport has worked on a direct flight for some time and announced the 12-hour service in April which will run four times a week.

Manchester is now the UK’s third largest airport with nearly 22 million passengers a year and 200 destinations.

Angus Barclay, general manager for Europe at Cathay Pacific, said: “The first flight marks an exciting period for not only the airline, but also for the North West region as it brings opportunities to build strong links between the UK and China from both a business and leisure perspective. 
 
“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. We already 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.”
 
The airport’s chief executive Charlie Cornish said: “It is an incredibly important and exciting day here at Manchester Airport and a delight to see our direct flights to China commence.

“Obtaining the route has been a key objective of ours for several years and to achieve it two years ahead of schedule is testament to the continued growth, development and role Manchester Airport has to play in UK aviation.
 
“Furthermore it is pleasing to see such strong load factors on the first flights, proving that demand for direct services is well and truly here in the North West, from the 100,000 people within our region, who currently travel to Hong Kong via London or other European hubs.”