New research shows many businesses favour an airport location when looking to expand their operations.

According to the study, conducted by Deloitte and Airport City Manchester, international firms are three times more likely to choose an airport location than a city centre. 

Such sites also feature prominently in the plans of established companies. Of the 20 per cent of companies with an established presence in the north-west who are looking to expand, 33 per cent would prefer an airport location.

An upsurge in business travellers from India and China was also discovered by the researchers, with ten per cent coming from the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) economies and 73 per cent of these from India.

Lynda Shillaw, divisional chief executive officer, property, at Manchester Airport Group, which is a 50 per cent joint venture partner in Airport City Manchester, said: "Manchester Airport is an established international gateway and a surge in the number of businesses looking to expand in the region is certainly something to be celebrated."