A vision for creating 50 new long-haul routes from Manchester airport has been outlined in an economic report calling for the northern hub to become the heart of a modern integrated transport network.
The airport could secure direct flights to cities including Sydney, Tokyo, Montreal, Mumbai, Riyadh, San Francisco and Cape Town, driving passenger volumes up from 27 million a year to as high as 60 million with new investment across the north of England.
The centrepiece would be a high-speed rail network to transform journey times between cities such as Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool and Bradford and the airport.
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Local business leaders called on the next government to unlock “transformational growth” across the north, with jobs supported by Manchester airport more than doubling to 165,000 and a £16.3 billion annual economic impact.
The new long-haul links by 2050 would drive “significant increases” in exports, inward investment, tourism and cultural exchange.
The airport is set to announce further new routes later this week following the introduction of services to Casablanca in Morocco and Amman in Jordan in the last fortnight.
Airport chief executive Ken O’Toole said: “Manchester airport is well-established as the UK’s global gateway in the north, connecting the region to an ever-increasing range of destinations such as Beijing, Singapore, Hong Kong, New York, Houston, Toronto and across the Middle East.
“We know this connectivity delivers billions of pounds of economic value to the North by driving trade, investment and tourism and, spurred by our own £1.3 billion investment in new terminal facilities and infrastructure the airport, we will continue to grow and support growth across the region in the years to come.
“A key question for the next UK government is how to not only maximise the potential of Manchester airport, but also ensure all parts of the north benefit to the fullest extent possible.
“Any government serious about rebalancing the country would want all major cities and towns to have fast and easy rail access to the world through their nearest international gateway – and here in the north that is Manchester airport.
“That is why it is critical plans for a new east-west high-speed network, with the airport at its heart, are delivered as soon as possible.”
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, said: “Connecting the airport to a high-speed, modern rail network is one of the ways we can grow the economy of the whole of the north, creating significant jobs and opportunities for our people.
“Connecting Greater Manchester with some of the biggest economies around the world can only bring positives and cement the north’s position as a major player on the world stage.
“Putting Manchester airport at the centre of these plans doesn’t just benefit my city-region, but the whole of the north for jobs, tourism, and prosperity, which is an opportunity any government should be jumping at.”
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