Beijing-Manchester air route marks 10 years of connecting China and northern England

A ceremony was held in Manchester, England on Monday to mark the 10th anniversary of Hainan Airlines' Beijing-Manchester route, bringing together about 60 guests from Chinese and United Kingdom government institutions, the aviation and tourism sectors, and business communities.

During the past decade, the daily service has become one of the most important air links connecting China with northern England.

The route carries around 200,000 passengers each year. Through Beijing's hub network, travelers can reach major cities across China as well as destinations in Japan, South Korea, and Thailand.

The service has also become an important gateway between Greater Manchester and the Asia-Pacific region.

During the event, Hainan Airlines and its partners looked back on the route's development and discussed opportunities for future aviation and tourism cooperation. Speakers highlighted the route's contribution to regional connectivity and expressed confidence in its continued growth.

Tang Rui, China's consul general in Manchester, said the route has supported practical cooperation and cultural exchanges between China and northern England during the past 10 years.

Tang noted that growing bilateral engagement and China's visa facilitation policies for UK travelers are creating new opportunities for closer ties.

Announced following UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to China in January and effective until Dec 31, the visa-free policy for ordinary British passport holders allows stays of up to 30 days for business, tourism, family visits, exchanges, and transit, making travel between the two countries more convenient.

For Liu Yongde, Hainan Airlines' safety director and captain of the inaugural flight in 2016, the anniversary carries special meaning.

"I have witnessed the route grow from three flights a week to a daily service," he said. "Passenger demand has increased, and the route has become a reliable bridge connecting our two countries."

Robert Smith, aviation director at Manchester Airport, said the service is important not only for Manchester but also for communities across northern England.

"Thousands of passengers use the route every year, and the number continues to grow," he said. "It gives UK travelers direct access to China while welcoming more Chinese visitors to Manchester and the wider region."

The Beijing-Manchester route was announced in 2015 against a backdrop of growing China-UK economic and trade cooperation and launched in 2016 via Manchester Airport.

Hainan Airlines, which was founded in 1993, operates nearly 1,700 routes around the world and has held a Skytrax Five-Star rating since 2011.