US carrier Polar Air Cargo has started a new twice-weekly dedicated freighter service which links Manchester Airport with the UK and the Far East, including Japan and Korea.
The Boeing 747 Far East operation arrives from Kansai-Seoul-Anchorage at Manchester on a Thursday, returning back to Kansai via Amsterdam, Anchorage and Seoul.
The second Polar "Jumbo" service departs Manchester on a Sunday to New York's JFK Airport via Amsterdam.
Airport Chief Executive Geoff Muirhead said: "I am delighted that Polar have made a commitment to Manchester.
"This service will give businesses in the north of England the opportunity to transport cargo to organisations in Japan, Korea and New York directly from Manchester rather than sending it by road to London.
"It will also help to develop further links with businesses in the Far East and the US with northern England."
Polar's UK Sales Director, Mr Steve Lewis, said: "Both services to and from Manchester will be allocated 30 per cent of the aircraft's 100 tonnes of cargo capacity.
"Manchester was an ideal choice for us with its central location in the UK and there are now several Korean companies opening up plants in the north of England and Wales."
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article