Devon trade mission Connects with Manchester

A delegation of Devon business leaders has been forging closer links with Manchester during a regional trade mission.

The visit was promoted by Exeter Connects, Exeter Airport’s initiative to enhance and promote air connectivity to the business community, and leading regional airline Flybe, in partnership with the Devon and Cornwall Business Council (DCBC).

The 12-strong delegation flew courtesy of Flybe from Exeter Airport to Manchester in the morning, and returned on the evening fight.

Delegates were hosted for breakfast by Manchester Airport where they learned more about Manchester’s international connections, with direct flights onwards to hundreds of destinations worldwide with Flybe’s six international airline codeshare partners that include Etihad, Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.

This was followed by a tour and lunch at the Etihad Stadium, home to Manchester City Football Club, with the afternoon given over to individual business meetings.

Tim Jones, chairman of the Exeter Connects business ambassador group and DCBC, said: “Regional connectivity is vital to our economy and this visit was designed to strengthen trading relationships in and around Manchester, and highlight the availability of global links from Manchester Airport, which is the third largest airport in the UK.”

Among those joining the delegation was Christian Jenkins, Director of Operations at Plymouth Science Park, who said: “Plymouth is just 50 minutes from Exeter Airport and many of our 80 tenant businesses trade nationally and internationally, so the trip was a good eye-opener about the connectivity available from Exeter to a major hub like Manchester.”

Paul Willoughby, Flybe’s Regional General Manager UK (South) also joined the delegation and said: “It was our pleasure to sponsor this important South West delegation. Flybe is committed to strengthening regional business links. Our popular Exeter to Manchester service, with up to four flights a day from the end of March, enables local business communities to benefit not only from the convenient added frequency on the route but also from the benefits of seamless onward connections via our Manchester hub.”

Matt Roach, managing director of Exeter Airport, said: “Through our Exeter Connects initiative we are listening to the Westcountry business community about what they need from Devon’s airport, and regional and global connections are very important to them. We are now looking at a series of regional trade missions to highlight connectivity from Exeter Airport and opportunities to work together with other regions.”

Full details of Flybe’s Exeter to Manchester 2017 Summer schedule is available at www.flybe.com