Today marks a major milestone in the drive to create a Northern Powerhouse, as the first ever direct, scheduled flight from anywhere outside of London to mainland China launches from Manchester Airport. Also hailed as a significant moment for UK aviation, the Hainan Airlines service to Beijing takes off from Manchester Airport.

Etihad Airways has marked the tenth anniversary of its services to Manchester Airport. Since the route was launched in March 2006, Etihad Airways has operated over 10,000 flights between Manchester and Abu Dhabi.  Due to its popularity in the north of England, the frequency increased to twice daily in August 2011.

Manchester Airport has outlined its vision how it can help drive the creation of Northern Powerhouse, as managing director Ken O’Toole unveiled a new fly-through video showing how the airport will look in ten years following a £1 billion investment. Subject to securing planning permission, it will see a state-of-the-art terminal building created through the expansion of the airport’s existing Terminal Two building.

Aviation leaders in the United Kingdom have expressed support for Britain’s continued membership of the European Union. As prime minister David Cameron called a referendum on the country’s place in Europe, Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye led calls for Britain to stay in the union. Commenting on the European Union’s impact on trade, aviation and British prosperity, he said: “Heathrow believes that the UK will be better off remaining in a reformed EU.

It is a very happy Chinese New Year for the UK’s third largest airport, as Hainan Airlines has increased capacity on its Manchester-Beijing route, before it has even launched. Starting on June 10th 2016, Hainan Airlines will fly four times a week to the Chinese capital and has announced this week it will increase capacity on the aircraft, going from an Airbus 330-200, to an Airbus 330-300.

Manchester Airport saw a 6.2 per cent year-on-year increase in passengers last month, breaking its all-time record in the process – thanks partly to the poor weather in November 2014 and the rise in long-haul traffic. A grand total of 1,479,740 people travelled through the UK’s global gateway for the North in November 2015. This growth has raised the annual total of passengers to more than 23 million – an increase of five per cent for the same 12 month period year on year.