Direct flights are IndiGoing to boost economy of north

Year-round route between Mumbai and Manchester takes off

- BY LIV CLARKE

A NEW direct route between Mumbai - India's financial capital - and Manchester Airport has launched this week and it's set to bring an economic boost worth 'hundreds of millions' in the next three years.

The year-round route, operated by IndiGo, will run three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The inaugural flight landed on Tuesday, July 1.

IndiGo is India's biggest airline, but this is its first long haul route and entry into the European market.

On July 2, the airline is also launching a route between Mumbai and Amsterdam.

The new route is the only year-round direct link between the north and India - the world's fastest growing economy - and it's likely to support a £32.9m increase in exports from the region as well as bring in an extra £11.8m a year in spending from Indian visitors, according to a study by independent experts Metro-Dynamics.

Around 250 jobs - including direct, supply chain and wider supporting roles - will be created by 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.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds has supported the route, which follows the UK and India trade deal finalised in May this year following three years of talks.