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China flights are shot in the arm for the North

[ November 6, 2017   //   ]

The first year of operation the Manchester-Beijing air route, operated by Hainan Airlines, has driven a significant increase in exports and investment into the North of England, according to a new study by consultants Steer Davies Gleeve.

Two years since President Xi Jinping announced the UK’s first direct flight to China outside of London, The value of goods exported by businesses across the region Manchester Airport to China has increased by 265% to nearly £200m every month.

Inward investment is also increasing.

Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and local growth, Jake Berry, said: “In just one year the Hainan route has brought such significant rewards to the Northern Powerhouse that I feel there is a real appetite in exploring launching airline routes from Manchester to other regions in China.”

“As we head to Shanghai we will look to build on the flourishing commercial relationship that the UK and China have established, bringing with us Northern businesses which demonstrate the strengths and opportunities in the region.”

The study comes on the back of a separate study produced for Transport for the North’s International Connectivity Commission, which concluded that enhanced direct access to markets like China was vital if the North was to achieve “transformational” growth in the years ahead.

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