The north of England can expect a £400 million boost with the start of direct flights to India’s economic capital of Mumbai.
The new Jet Airways route from Manchester airport will unlock hundreds of millions of pounds of trade, investment and tourism benefits, according to a report released to coincide with the launch.
It follows a push from the airport and regional partners to establish the first air link between the North of England and Mumbai, driven by the increasing economic ties between the two regions and increasingly strong demand to travel.
The study, called The Northern Powerhouse and India: Unlocking the Opportunity, predicts an economic boost of at least £400 million in the next five years.
It describes the north as the “ideal collaborator” with India, with its strengths in areas like digital, advanced manufacturing and energy aligning with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi’s economic priorities.
Aviation minister Baroness Liz Sugg said: “Connections like the one being launched today are key to Britain’s economic future and will help to drive economic growth and trade both here in Manchester and right across the north.
“Co-operation, trade and tourism with India is set to grow over the coming years, and we are committed to helping build the links we need now, so that all areas of the UK can be well placed to make the most of that growing relationship”.
Jet Airways will fly from Manchester to Mumbai on a Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with a 254-seat Airbus A330-200 in a two-class configuration.
India is the UK’s seventh largest trade partner in goods outside of Europe and third largest exporter of services to the UK.
Airport CEO Andrew Cowan said: “The launch of this service is an important moment for Manchester airport and the wider region.
“India is one of the world’s most important markets and this route will unlock huge opportunities for economic and cultural collaboration with the North.
“It underlines the importance of direct connectivity, which helps businesses export their goods and services, attracts investors to the UK and encourages tourism in both directions.”
Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal added: “We are happy to be the first airline to offer a non-stop, premium service between Mumbai and Manchester.
“The UK is a very important destination for Jet Airways and with the addition of Manchester we hope to make a further contribution to boosting tourism and trade between the two countries.”
The airline announced its Manchester-Mumbai route in May as a four-times-a-week service. Demand has been so strong, the airline increased its frequency to five-flights-a-week before it had even launched, with the first flights leaving Manchester fully occupied.
VisitBritain director Patricia Yates said: “Increasing airline route connectivity and seat capacity into Manchester, the north’s global gateway, is a crucial part of our competitive tourism offer.
“We saw record visits from India last year and the new direct route from Mumbai into Manchester will help build on this growth, making it easier for visitors to travel, to explore more and to boost growth from tourism across the country.”