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China passenger numbers rise 17% from Manchester airport

Passenger numbers flying to China from Manchester grew by 17% in the past year.

More than 260,000 people travelled to Beijing and Hong Kong from the north-west hub.

Hong Kong has been served from Manchester by Cathay Pacific for four years and Beijing with Hainan Airlines for two and a half years.

The airport has a number of activities planned as a result to celebrate Chinese new year on February 5 and the Year of the Pig.

Airport CEO Andrew Cowan said: “We have seen first hand how the connectivity Manchester airport now provides with China has unlocked a wide range of cultural and economic benefits for the region.

“This year’s Chinese new year activity will provide an opportunity to celebrate those links and I look forward to sharing the celebrations with our customers during the period.”

James Ginns, Cathay Pacific general manager for Europe, said: “Our daily flight from Manchester to Hong Kong and beyond into China and Asia connects our customers in the north really conveniently with friends and family at this important time of the year.”

Hainan Airlines UK general manager Olivier Yang said: “Our direct flight between Manchester and Beijing began as a great partnership between Hainan Airlines, China and Manchester airport that continues to flourish.

“Manchester and the north-west are strategically very important in the future development of this relationship.

“The potential development opportunities for UK companies in China and the opportunity for inward investment from China make this connection vital for growth.

“Our partners at Manchester airport continue to support our expansion and progress in the UK market and we’re very proud to be the only airline offering direct flights from mainland China to Manchester.”

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