Singapore Airlines will launch its first ever transatlantic flights from the UK to the United States – from Manchester to Houston – as well as new non-stop flights from Manchester to Singapore.
Each destination will be served five times weekly.
The new non-stop Manchester to Houston flights will operate from 30th October 2016.
Earlier this year, Singapore Airlines celebrated 30 years of flying from Manchester, making it the airport’s longest serving long-haul international carrier
Ken O’Toole, CEO of Manchester Airport, said: “This service will open up a whole new part of America to business and leisure passengers across the North.
“The number of direct long haul routes from Manchester to the States has grown significantly in recent years and in 2017 there will now be more than 2m seats available on flights between the two locations. This is the latest example of a route launching at Manchester that is not available anywhere else outside of London.
“It underlines the role Manchester Airport is playing in connecting the North with its most important business and tourism markets.
“It is one of the world’s premier airlines and it is great to know passengers using this new route will receive some of the best service levels in the market.”
Sheldon Hee, General Manager UK & Ireland, Singapore Airlines, comments: “Singapore Airlines is delighted to be expanding its UK network via the launch of new transatlantic flights from Manchester.
“The new Manchester-Houston flights represent Singapore Airlines’ first ever transatlantic flights departing the UK and a huge milestone in our 45 year history flying from this market. With this new route to the United States and our long-standing Manchester-Singapore route becoming non-stop, we are very excited to be able to welcome even more customers to experience flying with Singapore Airlines in the weeks, months and years ahead”.
Carl Emery runs Harris & Howard bespoke tailors in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, and counts many of the North West’s leading business figures as his clients.
He picked the Texas city as the location for his first overseas office, based on the number of businesses from the region that have bases over there.
Carl said: “Houston was the logical first location for our international expansion plan because of the high concentration of North West businesses with bases there, such as Oliver Valves and Morson.
“We first went in 2013 and now have more than 300 clients there. This direct flight service will save my business lots of time and money every month and no doubt the same can be said of our many North West-based clients who make several flights there each week but currently have to travel indirectly.
“The fact Manchester has been chosen as the location for the airline’s first transatlantic service is just as much a sign of the strength of the region’s business community as it is anything else.”