The airline started flights from the northern hub in 2016 and last week the UK and Chinese governments agreed Manchester-China was one of the air corridors that could resume after a two-and-a-half year hiatus.
The move has been hailed as a major boost to the north and the UK’s levelling-up ambitions, with Manchester airport becoming the only gateway outside of London with a direct service to mainland China.
Chris Woodroofe, managing director of Manchester airport, said: "Today’s announcement is clear evidence of the vital economic role that Manchester airport plays, both in the north and the UK as a whole, as we emerge from the pandemic.
"Prior to 2020, the Hainan service provided vital connectivity to one of the world’s most important economies, and I am sure this news will be welcomed by the hundreds of thousands of people across the north who travel to and from China each year."
Pre-pandemic, around 100,000 people a year travelled between Manchester and Beijing from the airport’s catchment area.
Economic impact studies showed the route led to a 38% increase in Chinese visitors to the north, with an average spend per visit increasing by 94%, and export values grew by 41%.
Due to policy in China, the outbound service to Beijing will initially stop in the Chinese city of Dalian, but the inbound service will be direct from Beijing. From October the service will operate on a Tuesday. It currently operates each Monday, arriving at 10am and departing at 3pm.
Gary King, head of trade sales at Wendy Wu Tours, said the move was "extremely encouraging" for travellers and expects more news on the country’s reopening in the next four to six weeks.
"As it stands, with more than 250 departures scheduled to leave the UK for China between now and next year, we are all looking forward to China taking its next steps with the full reopening," he told TTG.
