Manchester today becomes the only airport in the UK outside London to offer direct flights to China – with return fares from £629.
Cathay Pacific’s inaugural flight takes off to Hong Kong – providing opportunities for both holidaymakers and businessmen and women in the North West to visit China.
Cathay Pacific serves 190 destinations via Hong Kong International Airport, including 22 destinations within mainland China. Inbound flights will arrive in Manchester from Hong Kong at 6.20am, every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Flights will depart from Manchester the same day, departing at noon and arriving in Hong Kong at 7.55am every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Cathay Pacific has also teamed up with regional airline Flybe to offer ‘One Stop to the World’ routes. From December 11, customers travelling from Aberdeen, Belfast, Edinburgh, Exeter, Inverness, Isle of Man and Southampton to Manchester will be able to book a flight with Cathay Pacific – with both trips being on one airline ticket.
Angus Barclay, General Manager Europe at Cathay Pacific, said: “Today’s first flight marks an exciting period for not only the airline, but also for the North West region as it brings opportunities to build strong links between the UK and China from both a business and leisure perspective.
“This will be the only non-stop direct service from Manchester to Hong Kong; Cathay Pacific offers passengers even more choice and flexibility and, at the same time, will boost Manchester’s standing as an international hub.”
Charlie Cornish, CEO of Manchester Airports Group, said: “It is an incredibly important and exciting day here at Manchester Airport and a delight to see our direct flights to China commence.”
See Cathay Pacific
