Juneyao Air to launch a Shanghai to Manchester route

The service is the first ever from the North to Shanghai and will launch on 1 July, running three times per week on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays. The flights will operate on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft with business and economy classes.

Juneyao Air has chosen Manchester as its first UK destination, building on its status as the only English airport outside London with a direct service to China’s mainland.

According to Manchester Airport, 185,000 people from across the North of England travel to Shanghai indirectly each year. By opening a direct route it should allow flows of trade, tourism and access to the North of England for Chinese visitors and students – with 40 universities within two hours of Manchester Airport.

In Quotes

Manchester Airport managing director Chris Woodroofe said: 

“We are proud to connect the North to the world, whether that’s for tourism, leisure or to help family and friends visit each other. 

“The fact that Jueyao Air has chosen Manchester as its first UK service is a huge boost to the region for so many reasons. It will allow people to travel and see one of the world’s most incredible cities, open up opportunities for business and trade with China’s financial hub and help the North’s Chinese community connect with their family and friends. 

“On top of all that. Make it even easier for people from China to access the North and sample everything we have to offer, from Manchester’s thriving cultural and sports scenes, to the beautiful scenery of the Lakes, the Peak District and the Yorkshire Dales.

“Not only will visitors from Shanghai get access to the great cities and regions of the North, including, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield, North Wales and the Scottish borders, this route will give them a great new entry point to the UK as a whole. 

“We look forward to working with Juneyao to make this route a success.”

Juneyao Air Chairman Mr Wang Junjin said: 

“In late 2019, we announced the launch of the Shanghai-Manchester route in cooperation with Manchester Airport; but we had to postpone the flight schedule due to the pandemic. However, our internationalisation strategy never ends. 

“I am delighted to see that with the joint efforts of all parties, the Shanghai-Manchester route will resume this July, becoming the first direct scheduled passenger route between Shanghai and Manchester. 

“On behalf of Juneyao Air, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to all partners and passengers for their support over the years. I also hope this route will bring more business opportunities and flexible travel options to all passengers, and promote economic exchanges between Shanghai and Manchester, as well as between China and the UK.” 

Welcoming China to the North of England

This will be the second route to the north of England from China – with service being operated by Hainan Airways between Bejing and Manchester  since 2016 supporting the air link.

The regional impact of the new route will be significant. When a route from Manchester to Beijing was first launched in 2016 export values from Manchester Airport to China grew 41% to £1.29bn and enquiries about investment in the area from China doubled in the two years that followed.

There is significant Chinese dysphoria in the greater region too, with students and adults living in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds – all within easy reach of the airport, a perfect catchment for those who don’t want to travel to Heathrow or change en route to reach Shanghai or Bejing.

It opens further options up – which for travellers will be a welcome thing.