Chancellor George Osborne: Direct flight from Manchester to mainland China is a step closer
Manchester Airport is a step closer to agreeing its first direct flight to mainland China.
During a speech at a conference about
UK-China links, Chancellor George Osborne said Hainan Airlines had been authorised by the Department for Transport to run a direct flight between Beijing and Manchester.
But despite the statement from the Chancellor, the airport did not confirm any deal was in place.
A spokesman said: “We continue to discuss and progress the commercial case for airlines to connect Manchester to key strategic markets, including Beijing.”
Speaking at the UK-China Bilateral Investment Conference on Friday, the Chancellor spoke of a link based on ‘deep understanding and respect’.
He said: “We are two ancient cultures whose ideas and art and thinking has shaped the world far beyond our own shores.”
Announcing a package of measures to promote tourism and ‘enhance cultural cooperation’, he added: “We are increasing opportunities for airlines to operate more services, and to introduce new routes, between the UK and China.”
“Today I am delighted to welcome the announcement that China Hainan Airlines has received authorisation for a direct new flight between Beijing and Manchester.”
He said they were also streamlining the visa process, making it easier for Chinese visitors with measures like letting approved tour groups fogo the need for a transit visa.
The move follows talks initiated by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, which led to a deal between the UK and China allowing more passenger flights between the two countries.
The previous agreement allowed a maximum of 31 return services per week in each direction, serving up to six destinations in each country.
The new deal will increase that weekly maximum to 40 direct flights in each direction - and allows UK airines to serve up to three more Chinese cities than they do today.
In April, airport bosses sealed a long-awaited deal with long haul carrier Cathay Pacific from Manchester to Hong Kong.
Creating more than 200 jobs, the four-weekly route will start in December.
At the time, Manchester Airports Group chief executive Charlie Cornish told the M.E.N he was closing in on a second deal for a separate direct service to Chinese capital Beijing, with talks with at least one carrier in ‘advanced stages’. MAG has also secured investment from the Beijing Construction and Engineering Group for its £800m Airport City scheme.
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