Manchester airport bosses enlist Hallé Orchestra in bid to land China flights
Manchester Airport’s wants direct flights to China, which would make sense as there are some 9,000 flights per year between Manchester and Heathrow, some for transfers to China flights from Heathrow. Direct flights would make more sense. Manchester airport is supporting the Hallé Orchestra on its first tour of China, in a bid to boost trade and increase exports from the north west. The delegation will enjoy receptions at the British Ambassador’s residence in Beijing. Local businesses are being offered the chance to join the 11-day tour – and take part in the trade mission. Companies may be eligible for government grants to help with travel costs and UK Trade & Investments will help firms to identify potential customers or partners in China and arrange meetings to set up deals. The airport wants to attract Chinese firms to its “Airport City”.
Manchester airport bosses enlist Hallé Orchestra in bid to land China flights
September 20, 2012 (Manchester Evening News)
Manchester Airport’s ambition to secure direct flights to China has taken a step forward – by supporting the Hallé Orchestra on their first ever tour of the country.
Chiefs will visit the country with senior executives from the Hallé next month and they have also joined forces with the government’s UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) to help promote the region’s businesses and increase exports from the north west.
The delegation will enjoy receptions at the British Ambassador’s residence in Beijing and will also watch the Hallé perform at three concerts in the country.
Local businesses are being offered the chance to join the 11-day tour – and take part in the trade mission. Companies may be eligible for government grants to help with travel costs and the UKTI will help firms to identify potential customers or partners in China and will arrange meetings to set up deals.
Clive Drinkwater, UKTI’s regional director in the north west, said: “The Hallé is renowned across the world and I’m sure the opportunity to meet some of the musicians, or to see a live performance, will be an extra incentive for Chinese businesses to do deals with firms in the north west.
“I’d encourage firms who are already doing a small amount of business with China, or who think there might be a market for them in the country, to sign up to the mission and help boost their exports.”
Last year, Manchester was named as the sister airport of Beijing Capital International Airport – the second largest in the world, which handles 74m passengers a year while also acting as a gateway to hundreds of other Far East destinations.
Bosses also want to attract Chinese firms to Airport City, the £650m Enterprise Zone project, expected to create more than 10,000 full-time jobs in the region over the next 10 to 15 years.
Ken O’Toole, the airport’s chief commercial officer, said: “We want to provide direct connectivity to China for the 200,000 thousand passengers who currently have to hub via London and beyond, this trade mission is an important step forward as part of our wider plans.
“Trade with China from the north west continues to increase so we are delighted to continue to support the world-renowned Halle Orchestra and showcase what the north west has to offer at the same time.
“Manchester airport is the north west’s international gateway and we have much to offer airlines as they look to service this growing market. A direct service will be beneficial to the whole of Greater Manchester.”
Manchester is already home to the third largest Chinese population in Europe as well as enjoying trade links that were worth over £4bn in 2010.
Companies can find out more about joining the trade mission to China by calling 0161 875 2328 or emailingevents@uktinorthwest.co.uk .