Manchester Airport to Mumbai route set to provide economic boost

Image courtesy MAG

The new IndiGo service – the North’s only direct, year-round route to India – is likely to support £32.9m increase in exports from the region to the world’s fastest-growing economy a year.

The study, from independent experts Metro-Dynamics, also shows an extra £11.8m a year will be spent by additional Indian visitors to the region as a result of the new three-times-a-week service.

Around 250 jobs – including direct, supply chain and wider supporting roles – will be created bty the route, which will create £12.1m of economic value for the North a year.

Findings suggest direct connectivity will also support international innovation, stimulating a rise in UK-India patents and academic citations.

And the existence of direct flights will deliver a major boost for people who already travel from Manchester Airport to Mumbai, but currently have to travel indirectly. Cost, time and productivity savings worth £9 million a year will be unlocked.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said: “Here at Manchester Airport we’re proud to connect the North to the world – and that goes beyond just opening up exciting opportunities for travel.

“Our new partnership with IndiGo to launch the North’s only route to Mumbai will connect the region to one of the world’s most exciting cities – but also one of the world’s biggest financial capitals.

“That will help us deliver growth here in the North. It unlocks opportunities for the region’s businesses to trade with partners in Mumbai and India more widely as well as opening up the North as a travel destination for a huge number of new visitors. 

“That will bring massive benefits for our tourism industry, the education sector and will help turbo charge the Government’s industrial strategy by boosting innovation and productivity in the sectors that will sit at the heart of the country’s future prosperity.

“This research really brings that home. This new route will bring a transformative sum of money into the economy – and it’s money in the pockets of people right here in the North of England.”    

There are already around 234,000 people who travel from Manchester Airport’s catchment to Mumbai every year. Roughly 70,000 of them flew through Manchester but indirectly. It is estimated the new route will increase the overall number of people who travel between Manchester and Mumbai by 21,000 per year. This uplift will give rise to many of the economic benefits identified by researchers.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “This new route by India’s flagship airline to Manchester – the first to anywhere in Europe – will mean families and businesses in the North of England are more connected to India and is further proof that our landmark trade deal with India is delivering for both countries.
 
“It is yet another example of the close relationship we share with our Indian partners and this direct flight will create opportunities for even more British and Indian firms to make use of our trade agreement, ushering in more money and jobs as part of our Plan for Change.” 

VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates said: “The new IndiGo route from Mumbai to Manchester is fantastic news for holidaymakers and business visitors alike. India is an incredibly important inbound tourism market for us and growing airline connectivity and seat capacity into key regional gateways including Manchester is crucial to our competitive tourism offer to visitors and to our welcome.
 
“We are forecasting record spend from our visitors from India this year, almost £1 billion, and this new direct route acts as a gateway to the North West and beyond, making it easier for visitors to explore more and spreading the economic benefits of tourism across our nations and regions.”  

Vishakha Yaduvanshi, Manchester’s Consul General of India, said: "The launch of IndiGo’s direct flight between Manchester and Mumbai represents a major step forward in enhancing connectivity between India and the North of England. 

“This direct link offers a faster, more convenient travel option for business travelers, tourists, and the vibrant Indian diaspora in the region. By cutting travel times and eliminating the need for connecting flights, it opens the door to stronger economic partnerships, deeper educational ties and richer cultural exchanges."

Manchester Airport is the UK’s global gateway in the North. Serving more than 31 million passengers per year and operating over 200 routes with upwards of 50 different airlines, it is the UK’s third biggest airport overall and the biggest outside London. 

In 2015 the airport began an ambitious £1.3 billion, decade-long transformation programme. Now reaching its final stages, the programme has seen the opening of the airport’s brand-new Terminal 2 – which will become the main hub of the airport serving around 70% of its passengers from next year.  
The new super-terminal has already won the prestigious Prix Versailles for architecture and design, even before it is fully open. Later this year new parts of the terminal will open to the public – including a range of new shops, bars, cafes and restaurants in the departure lounge. That follows the opening of new check-in areas and a new security hall earlier this year.