06 July 2015/Categories: CILT, Industry News, Aviation
Charter flights have begun between Beijing and Birmingham Airport in a move bosses say will boost the West Midlands' economy by £19m a year. Hainan Airlines is operating 34 direct flights between the cities - two per week - until 28 August. The first arrived on Friday morning with 233 people on board. Birmingham Airport is branding itself in China as "Shakespeare's airport" and promoting links to nearby Stratford-upon-Avon. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said the new service would "showcase the West Midlands to thousands of visitors and potential investors." A spokesman for the airport said while the 34 planned flights would generate £19m annually for the West Midlands, the introduction of a daily schedule in the future could generate £62m for the region and £81m for the UK. The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) plans to tour China next year to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death.
Source: bbc.co.uk/news
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