New direct flights with Hainan Airlines have begun operating from Manchester to Beijing four times a week. Manchester will become the only UK airport outside London to offer direct scheduled services to mainland China encouraging productive economic and trade cooperation between China and the UK. The flights will give the 100,000 passengers who travel each year between the two cities the convenience of direct scheduled services. The service departs on Friday, Saturday, Monday and Wednesday, and will be served by an Airbus A330-300. The cabin will have 32 business class seats and 260 in economy.