The North is set for an economic boost as direct links to China are restored from Manchester Airport

Major boost for the North as flights to and from China restarts today from Manchester Airport

The service will operate weekly each Monday arriving at 10:00 and departing at 15:00

The route’s return is being praised by various organisations across the North including in Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Cumbria

The North is set for an economic boost as it was confirmed direct air links with China will be restored for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

Hainan Airlines has announced it will resume its Beijing-Manchester service from Monday 22nd August.

The airline started flights from the Northern hub in 2016, with the route going on to unlock hundreds of millions of pounds in trade, investment and tourism benefits.

The UK and Chinese governments last week agreed Manchester-China was one of the air corridors that could resume after a two-and-a-half year hiatus, and Hainan has moved quickly to start operating the popular service again, in time for the busy student season.

Hainan Airlines will use an A330 aircraft with both economy and business classes

The news has been hailed as a major boost to the North and UK’s levelling-up ambitions, with Manchester Airport becoming the only gateway outside of London with a direct service to mainland China.

Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said:  “Today’s announcement is clear evidence of the vital economic role that Manchester Airport plays, both in the North and the UK as a whole, as we emerge from the pandemic. Prior to 2020, the Hainan service provided vital connectivity to one of the world’s most important economies and I am sure this news will be welcomed by the hundreds of thousands of people across the North who travel to and from China each year.

It is extremely positive to see critical routes like this return to our departure boards and we look forward to working closely with Hainan Airlines to build on the previous success of this route.”

Pre-pandemic, there were around 100,000 people a year who travelled between Manchester and Beijing from the airport’s catchment area.

Economic impact studies showed the route led to a 38% increase in Chinese visitors to the North, with an average spend per visit increasing by 94%, and export values grew by 41%. 

The return of the route will also be incredibly encouraging for the more than 40 universities across the airport’s catchment area that welcome thousands of Chinese students each year.

Due to policy in China, the outbound service to Beijing will initially stop in the Chinese city of Dalian, but the inbound service will be direct from Beijing.  From October the service will operate on a Tuesday.

 

Tao Zhu, the CEO from Hainan Airlines said:   “It is great to bring Hainan Airlines back to Manchester. Hainan Airlines is a 5-star Skytrax rated airline and we will operate an A330 aircraft on the route offering both economy and business classes. The flight arrives in Manchester at 10:00 each Monday and departs at 15:00.

 

At the beginning of the resumption of flight, it will travel via Dalian first. After completing the seven days quarantine, passengers will be able to fly to other destinations within China according to their preferences.”

The route resumption has been welcomed by organisations across the North.

Rhys Whalley, Executive Director, Manchester China Forum (Acting Managing Director, MIDAS), said:  “We are delighted to see the return of Hainan Airlines to Manchester Airport. This is welcome news and signals our journey back to improved connectivity with Mainland China.  Over the past couple of years, MCF has worked hand-in-hand with Hainan Airlines, the University of Manchester and wider partners to support students with the continuation of their studies through the operation of charter flights. The resumption of scheduled services between the UK and China is a very welcome development and one that will serve to accelerate post-pandemic recovery and engagement with the world’s leading growth economy.”

VisitEngland/VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates said:  “We want to deliver a world-class welcome for returning Chinese visitors and the resumption of services making it easier for them to get here is a crucial part of our competitive tourism offer and recovery post-covid.   In 2019 China was the UK’s second most valuable inbound market, worth £1.7 Billion and Hainan’s direct route to Manchester will not only act as a gateway to the greater North West but also make it easier for visitors to come and explore regional Britain spreading the economic benefits of tourism growth across the UK.”

 

Zheng Xiyuan, Consul General of the People's Republic of China to Manchester, said:    “On 23 October 2015, President Xi Jinping announced at Manchester Airport that Hainan Airlines would launch a direct flight from Beijing to Manchester, which would build a new bridge of cooperation between the two cities and the two countries. The route was suspended due to Covid-19, but even so, Hainan Airlines continued to send tens of thousands of Chinese students to Manchester on charter flights during the pandemic. Used mainly by Chinese students, the route is their way to pursue knowledge and their way home, and the bridge of white clouds carrying the longing of countless parents for their children, and the profound friendship between Chinese people and British people. I am very pleased that this route has been successfully re-launched, and it is the best way to mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-UK ambassadorial diplomatic relations.”

 

Hainan’s onboard service is highly-rated. Lie flat beds in business class provide optimum comfort and relaxation. Hainan Airlines chooses only fresh ingredients for its onboard meals. Passengers can sample the tastes of the world as they fly to China. Delicate and delicious Chinese food allows them to experience a taste of China.  However, other world foods are also on offer, allowing passengers to experience their taste of home thousands of miles away.  International award-winning beverages enhance the culinary experience. Furthermore, an extensive entertainment service is also available for passengers to enjoy as they while away the hours onboard.

 Sheona Southern, Managing Director of Marketing Manchester, said:  “This is very welcome news for Greater Manchester and the wider north of England, marking a major milestone for the return of the international visitors who play a significant role in supporting our hotels, restaurants, attractions, retail and wider visitor economy.  The direct route with Hainan Airlines was already a brilliant success pre-Covid, with the China Dividend report on the first two years of the route revealing an 80% increase in passenger numbers between Beijing and Manchester. It also created a £260 million boost to our local economy, and had a longer-term impact as Chinese visitors saw the benefit of choosing Greater Manchester as a desirable place to live, work, study, or invest. We look forward to revisiting the opportunities that the reinstatement of this route will provide.”

 Paul Walters, Head of International Trade at the Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, said:   “The Chamber is delighted to hear of the return of Hainan Airlines flights to Manchester from Beijing.  China is an important trading partner for the region and whilst there are still some restrictions on travel to the region this is an important first step. Our members welcome the ability to visit both customers and suppliers in China.”