Flights from Manchester to the US to return a week today

Holidaymakers can once again fly ‘across the pond’ from next week, with Manchester Airport bosses hoping the United States’ relaxation of coronavirus rules will provide a huge economic boost.

The US will lift the ban on UK travellers entering the country from November 8.

The first direct flights heading stateside from Manchester since the start of the pandemic will take off on the same day.

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Virgin Atlantic is running flights to Orlando and New York, with passengers heading to Florida at 10:10am, while the Big Apple bound service will jet off at 1.10pm.

The airline will commence flights to Atlanta, Georgia, from December 2, while Singapore Airlines will start flying to the Texan city of Houston a day earlier.

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Aer Lingus is also offering flights to New York and Orlando from December.

The airline has opened a new base at the airport, creating 153 jobs.

As well as offering more destinations for holidaymakers to visit, it is hoped that the reintroduction of transatlantic flights will provide wider economic benefits and investment.

Karen Smart, managing director of Manchester Airport, said: “After almost two years with no flights to the USA, it is great to finally look forward to re-connecting the region with some of our most popular and important destinations.

“Not only are our US routes well loved by holidaymakers, but they are also vital to the Northern economy and the prosperity of the region.

“Whether that is through the trade and investment opportunities the direct connectivity unlocks, to the inbound tourism the routes bring in, as Americans flock to key destinations like the Lake District, North Wales and York, plus to city breaks favourites like Liverpool and Manchester.

“I look forward to working closely with our airline partners as more services come back to Manchester, plus I would encourage businesses and other organisations with links to the US to get in touch so we can help them unlock their potential through our international reach.”

Henri Murison, director of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: “Reopening the economic corridor between Manchester and the US will be a significant boost for the Northern economy in terms of both trade and inbound tourism, also reinforcing our ability across the Northern Powerhouse to attract foreign investment from the US.

“Manchester Airport acts as a gateway to the north for the whole world, allowing the North to build stronger economic ties with Asia including China, Africa as well as continental Europe.”