16 May 2016

Arriva Trains Wales is set to triple the amount of services it provides to Manchester Airport after an application to extend the existing agreement was approved by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).

The move which comes into effect from Monday, May 16 will see Arriva Trains Wales run significantly more train services from North Wales and Chester to Manchester Airport -  from just 17 a week to 57.

The move is expected to bring strong economic benefits, as well as improved access to the airport for many North Wales residents.

Manchester Airport is already an extremely popular airport with Welsh residents.- recent statistics* revealed that more Welsh residents fly from Manchester than any other airport - including Heathrow.

According to the latest figures released by the Civil Aviation authority, more than 849,000 Welsh residents used Manchester Airport in 2014.

Ian Bullock, managing director of Arriva Trains Wales said; "We are extremely pleased that the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has approved our application for the rights to extend services to Manchester Airport.

"We had significant customer and stakeholder support for this extension, including from Mrs Hart , former AM and Minister for Economy, Science and Transport, local AMs and MPs.

"From later this month we will be allowed to run an additional 40 direct train services every week from North Wales through to the airport and return.

"This would complement the existing 17 trains a week to make a total of 57 direct, return journeys connecting North Wales to the rest of the world via Manchester Airport.

"Our stakeholders and customers have been keen that we improve the access for people to travel direct by train along the North Wales Coast to Manchester Airport (and vice versa) and that this service extension will bring significant benefits to the economy of North Wales."

These additional services will also be stopping at East Didsbury.