Harbour lights
Chris Barry
STRONGER trade and travel links with Copenhagen, the Danish capital, have taken off with the launch of a new twice-daily flight.
Operated by British Airways CitiExpress, a subsidiary of BA, the early-morning flight leaves Manchester's Terminal Three at 6.50am, with a return flight at 8.30pm.
The early flight is aimed at giving the business traveller a full day's work in Copenhagen, without the need for a stopover.
Steve Cassidy, general manager commercial of BA CitiExpress said: "Scandinavia is a key market for us, both for business passengers and for leisure travellers.
"Copenhagen is an important city with regard to the trade links with the north of England but it is also a vibrant and cosmopolitan alternative for people looking for a city break destinationwith a difference."
Mr Cassidy, 35, who moved to Manchester from Hong Kong, where he worked in BA's Far East cargo unit, said: "|There is a misconception among the public that it is just the budget carriers that have unlocked European travel, but this is not the case.
BA CitiExpress
Mr Cassidy, 35, said that BA CitiExpress was pleased to offer flights out of Manchester to over 30 destinations in the UK and Europe.
Rolf Larssen, founder and chief executive of Copenhagen Capacity, the inward investment agency for the city, welcomed the new service.
"This is good news for business, both in the north of England but in Scandinavia too. From a travel point of view we want Copenhagen Airport to be a hub for travellers visiting Scandinavia.
"From a business point of view this new service should help us bring in business to the region.
"We have a successful biotechnology cluster, called Medicon Valley, which we have worked hard to develop, and we hope to attract more investment from the UK here."
"Celltech, the major UK biotechnology company recently chose Copenhagen as its location. for a Nordic affiliate, citing its central location in Europe, our city's good air connections and easy access to the airport, plus flexible labour market, as the reasons for the investment."
Audrey Jones, the Lord Mayor of Manchester, north west tourism chief Anthony Goldstone, Elizabeth Faulkner from Marketing Manchester, Aidan Mooney, aviation development manager from Manchester Airport and Michelle Gordon of Altrincham-based Cresta Holidays, were among the VIP guests on the inaugural flight out of Manchester.
The first flight, last Monday coincided with the return of Copenhagen's most famous landmark, The Little Mermaid, to its rightful place.
It was lifted back into place in the city's harbour after lengthy restoration to the bronze statue after being damaged by vandals.
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