Manchester Airport announces launch of new route to major Asian city

Manchester Airport has announced the launch of a new route from the UK to Shanghai, the only English airport to operate a service to the Chinese city outside of London. The route is operated by Juneyao Air and its the airline’s first service in the UK.

Launching today, Monday July 1, the route will operate three times a week and the first few flights have nearly been booked out. The new service provides both a connection between the UK and China’s financial capital, and a link for Chinese tourists visiting the north of England.

It comes as China leads the world as the top spender on international tourism, with years of pent-up post-pandemic demand tipped to be released this year. Chinese visitors typically spend more than £3,800 each compared to the average visitor spend of just over £800, tourist destinations and business across the region are set to benefit.

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Manchester Airport provides a getaway to the North West for Chinese visitors, with national parks like the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and the Peak District all within easy reach. For UK travellers, the service provides access to Shanghai, dubbed ‘the New York of China’. The city is a bustling metropolis rich in history and culture, with some of the world’s best shops and even home to the second biggest Disney theme park in the world.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said: “Here at Manchester Airport we’re proud to connect the North to the world. We have an ever-growing route network of more than 200 destinations and we are always looking to add new routes that bring benefits to the region. That is why it is so exciting that Juneyao Air has chosen