Northern leaders have hailed the launch of the region’s first ever direct flight route to Shanghai, in what they say will be a major economic boost worth hundreds of millions of pounds for the region. The new route makes Manchester Airport the first UK hub outside of London to operate a route to China’s financial capital. Run by Juneyao Air, the new service will fly three times per week.
It also marks the first time the Chinese privately owned carrier has launched an operation in the UK. Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Opening up this route to Shanghai is another major milestone for Manchester Airport, connecting our city-region to an important centre of global commerce and bringing new opportunities for trade, travel, and investment. “For people and businesses across the North, Greater Manchester is the gateway to the world.
” The announcement comes as travel demand skyrockets in the post-Covid years, with hubs across Europe forecasting record annual passenger traffic. It will allow Manchester Airport to tap into growing passenger traffic from the Far East, where airlines and airports have expanded rapidly in recent years, muscling in on the US and Europe. Many in the sector believe aviation’s centre of gravity will slowly shift away from the West over the next few decades, towards the likes of India and China.
Manchester Airport Group chief executive Ken O’Toole said: “We know aviation is a critical enabler of growth for sectors that rely on.
