Manchester Airport confirmed direct air links with China will be restored for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
Hainan Airlines has announced it will resume its Beijing-Manchester service from Monday 22nd August.
The airline started flights from the Northern hub in 2016, with the route going on to unlock hundreds of millions of pounds in trade, investment and tourism benefits.
The UK and Chinese governments last week agreed Manchester-China was one of the air corridors that could resume after a two-and-a-half year hiatus, and Hainan has moved quickly to start operating the popular service again, in time for the busy student season.
Manchester Airport is now the only gateway outside of London with direct service to mainland China.
Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director, Manchester Airport, said:
“Today’s announcement is clear evidence of the vital economic role that Manchester Airport plays, both in the North and the UK as a whole, as we emerge from the pandemic."
Tao Zhu, Chief Executive Officer, Hainan Airlines, said:
“It is great to bring Hainan Airlines back to Manchester. Hainan Airlines is a 5-star Skytrax rated airline and we will operate an A330 aircraft on the route offering both economy and business classes. The flight arrives in Manchester at 10:00 each Monday and departs at 15:00.