Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry has welcomed the new direct route from Manchester Airport to Mumbai which will bring a number of economic benefits, strengthening the UK's ties ahead of Brexit.

Launched in early November, Jet Airways is now flying between the North and India's largest city five times a week, driven by the growing economic relationship between the two regions.
As well as being the UK's seventh largest trade partner outside Europe, India is also the third largest exporter of services to the UK.

Jake Berry MP, minister for the Northern Powerhouse, said: "The new gateway between the North of England and India will deepen relations between our two countries currently worth £18bn for the North.

"It will connect the North to one of the fastest growing and most dynamic economies on the planet, enriching ties between two international cities."

He continued: "We know the benefits a super-connected Northern Powerhouse can create.
"Recent research into the impact of two years of direct flights between Manchester Airport and Beijing found levels of growth in trade, tourism and knowledge exchange between the North and the Far East are outstripping national averages.

"Export values from Manchester Airport to China grew 41 per cent to £1.29bn in the two years after route launch, while national values fell 30 per cent.

"The potential of this enhanced link to India is equally exciting."