easyJet, the UK’s largest airline, and the third biggest airport, Manchester Airport, have announced today they will be sponsoring Manchester Pride, taking the headline spot at the Big Weekend. It is the second time that both companies have come together to sponsor, and the third consecutive year at the event for both.
The Big Weekend is predicted to be bigger than ever with more than 100,000 visitors expected to attend. easyJet will be boosting the numbers carrying more passengers into the city during Pride compared with last year. In the three days running up to the event, easyJet will be flying in over an estimated 10,000 passengers with many expected to be attending the Big Weekend. During the Bank Holiday weekend Manchester Airport is set to see 324,103 passengers come through the airport.
As part of the Big Weekend, staff from easyJet and Manchester Airport will be taking to the streets on Saturday 23 August for the ‘Love’ themed parade which makes its way through Manchester City Centre from 1pm with a colourful and eye-catching float encouraging the thousands to celebrate with colour, fly orange!
Mark Fletcher, Chief Executive of Manchester Pride, said:
“We’re really pleased to welcome aboard the UK’s largest airline and Manchester Airport as this year’s lead sponsors of the Big Weekend. easyJet and Manchester Airport are perfect partners to help us fly the Pride flag and it’s great to receive their continued support.
“Our aim this year is to make the Big Weekend more accessible than ever, packed with inspiring and colourful events for the LGBT community and ensure Manchester lives up to its reputation as one of the UK’s leading cities for celebrating LGBT life whist raising essential funds for LGBT and HIV groups and charities throughout the region.”
Ali Gayward, easyJet UK Commercial Manager, said:
“easyJet is proud to be at Manchester Pride 2014 as we celebrate our third year of sponsorship. It is testament the strong relationship we’ve built with the festival and the local community, as well as Manchester Airport, where we have continued to grow our presence.
“With 35 routes now on sale from Manchester Airport, we expect to be flying in over 3,000 passengers a day in the run up to the Big Weekend. With crowds being drawn in from far and wide, this is sure to be a fantastic event celebrating diversity and we’re excited to be a part of that.”
Andrew Cowan, (left) Chief Operating Officer of Manchester Airports Group (MAG), said:
“We are pleased to jointly sponsor the Manchester Pride festival, alongside one of our largest airlines, easyJet, as we prepare to welcome thousands of international visitors to the region over the Bank Holiday Weekend. We hope the event will be a great success and wish everyone – staff taking part and members of the public – a great time.”
easyJet and Manchester Airport are official sponsors of the Manchester Pride Big Weekend which takes place from Friday 22 to Monday 25 August. Tens of thousands of people from across the UK and Europe flock to Manchester’s world-renowned Gay Village for the event and to watch the parade.
easyJet has 35 destinations on sale from Manchester Airport, including the LGBT community holiday hot spots of Mykonos, Amsterdam, and Berlin.
Manchester Airport is home to 65 airlines, serving 200 plus destinations and has over 21 million passengers a year.