TRADE and tourism between the north of England and China has ‘boomed’ thanks to the direct Hainan Airlines flight service between Manchester and Beijing, economic research has shown.

Two years since China’s President Xi Jinping announced the first direct flight to the country from outside of London, a study by Steer Davies Gleeve is hailing the ‘Chinese Dividend’ it has delivered to the Northern Powerhouse.

The report highlights boosts in passenger numbers, exports, investment projects, students and tourism.

Jake Berry MP, minister for the Northern Powerhouse and local growth, said: “In just one year the Hainan route has brought such significant rewards to the Northern Powerhouse that I feel there is a real appetite in exploring launching airline routes from Manchester to other regions in China.

Sun Dali, consul general of the People’s Republic of China for the north of England, said: “After one year of this flight, we have seen continued growth in trade and communication between China and the north of the UK and I hope that inter-communication between the UK and China continues to encourage more cooperation between China and the north of England.

n manchesterairport.co.uk