A new route between Manchester Airport and Mumbai – India’s financial capital – will deliver an economic boost worth hundreds of millions to the North over the next three years, research out today reveals.
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 £9m 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.
