Manchester Airport today launched a unique challenge asking the public to submit their own photographs of the people and places of Greater Manchester to give the millions of arriving passengers "a sense of place" as part of the airport's new Arrivals Experience.

The idea is to create a lasting first impression of the region to visitors and welcome them to the North West. The airport is encouraging customers to help decide on the images that they believe best meet these criteria, so it is inviting individuals to submit images they have taken themselves to the Manchester Airport Flickr group for consideration to go on permanent display in Terminal One.

Manchester Airport's Head of Customer Experience, Sarah Barrett, said: "We aspire to provide a world class experience for our customers and part of this involves empowering them to tell us what they want to see. As the gateway to the region we also want visitors to experience the friendly welcome that the North is traditionally famous for."

Entrants should submit their photographs online to Manchester Airport's Flickr group, with the selected images set to be enlarged to a floor to ceiling size and branded with the photographer's name. They will be going on permanent display in Terminal One as part of the new Arrivals Experience for Summer 2010. If successful the scheme will eventually be extended to the Terminals Two and Three.

The photographs can be ones previously taken, or they can be new; and there is no limit on the number of photographs that can be submitted for consideration. Entrants should submit their photographs online via the Manchester Airport Flickr group at: www.manchesterairport.co.uk/arrivalsphotosearch

The closing date for consideration is midday on Friday 19th March 2010. Terms and conditions apply - see the website for details.

Manchester Airport, part of the Manchester Airports Group, is joint-owned by the ten councils of Greater Manchester: Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.

Etihad Airways today announced it would increase capacity by close to 60 per cent on its Manchester services from June, upgrading its current two-class A330-200 aircraft to a two-class B777-300.

Etihad currently operates seven return services per week between Manchester and Abu Dhabi, with onward connections to Etihad's expanding global network, including popular destinations Sydney, Melbourne, Bangkok, Cape Town and Islamabad. The capacity increase will mean an additional 2,100 seats per week on the route.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad's chief commercial officer, said: "Our services to Manchester have been performing very strongly, with load factors of close to 80 per cent in 2009. The business and investment ties between Manchester and Abu Dhabi have never been stronger and the introduction of the B777 furthers our commitment to this important route.

"We are pleased to support business and leisure travel to the region, as well as offering our customers greater access to Abu Dhabi and our expanding global network."

Andrew Cornish, Manchester Airport's Managing Director, said: "Etihad's service provides a crucial link between our two closely-linked regions and Etihad's decision to add capacity demonstrates real confidence in this vital relationship. The extra capacity further strengthens Manchester Airport's long haul route network and also provides an early sign of the predicted economic recovery. We look forward to working with Etihad to make the service a great success."

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: "Manchester and Abu Dhabi have developed a significant partnership over the past few years and our business, cultural and sporting ties are delivering real benefits to both places. Etihad's continued investment in the route is a ringing endorsement of that partnership and this latest announcement of an enhanced service demonstrates the increasingly strong ties between the regions."

Etihad has been operating services to Manchester since 2006 and offers connections from Manchester to Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow with its codeshare partner, bmi and from Manchester to Isle of Man, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Southampton and Inverness with its codeshare partner, Flybe.

In 2009, the airline signed a three-year deal to be the official shirt sponsor and partner of English Premier League side, Manchester City. This is one of the airline's most important sponsorships, and allows the airline to build even stronger relationships between the two regions, including team tours to the United Arab Emirates, as well as community-based schemes in the UAE and Manchester such as the hugely successful Soccer Schools.

Etihad currently has six B777-300s in its fleet of 53 aircraft.

About Etihad Airways

• Etihad Airways flies seven flights per week from Manchester to its home base in Abu Dhabi.
• Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates based in the UAE's capital, Abu Dhabi. Currently Etihad Airways offers flights to 60 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa, Australia and Asia.
• For tickets and reservations, call 0800 731 9384. For further details, visit www.etihadairways.com

Flybe, the UK's Number One Domestic Airline, has announced its first ever route from Manchester to Bournemouth with travel effective May 27th. The year-round six times a week service will gives both business and leisure travellers yet another fast and convenient choice of regional routes direct from their doorstep to one of the South Coast's most popular destinations as well as offering travellers from Bournemouth quick, easy and affordable access to one of the most exciting cosmopolitan cities in northern Engand.

Flights are available for booking now at www.flybe.com with fares from just £24.99 one way, including taxes and charges.

SCHEDULE:
Monday - Fridays
Depart Manchester 1040 arr Bournemouth 1140
Depart Bournemouth 1205 arr Manchester 1305

Sundays
Depart Manchester 1015 arr Bournemouth 1115
Depart Bournemouth 1140 arr Manchester 1240

Mike Rutter, Flybe's Chief Commercial Officer comments: "We're delighted to be adding this new destination to our extensive choice of regional services. It not only reflects our commitment to continued growth at Manchester Airport where we are the largest scheduled airline but also our development into new regions. Our new Bournemouth route will be especially convenient to those living and working in the more westerly counties of the South Coast, so extending further our extensive regional presence."

The news has been welcomed by Bournemouth Airport, with Managing Director, Rob Goldsmith commenting: "At a time when the economy is still struggling we are delighted to welcome Flybe as a new airline at Bournemouth Airport. Manchester is one of our most requested destinations and I know that business and leisure travellers alike will be keen to take advantage of this direct link to the north."

Manchester Airport's Commercial Director Andrew Harrison said: "We welcome this news from Flybe. This route to Bournemouth not only extends our network across the UK but connects our sister airport with Manchester.

"This is a brand new destination from Manchester Airport to a popular holiday town that also offers our passengers a fastest connection to the surrounding Dorset resorts. We look forward to working with Flybe in making this service a great success."

Flybe offers passengers an quality range of benefits that includes Premium Economy travel offering dedicated Executive Lounges, Rewards4all loyalty programme as well as a through check-in service link with Virgin Atlantic that means that those travelling with a through ticket for Flybe and Virgin Atlantic sectors to and from a number of UK airports including Manchester, can now have their boarding cards issued for both flights at the very start of their journey.

Mr Rutter adds: "Flybe is continually striving to improve our customer experience for the added convenience of our passengers. We expect our new route to be popular for those planning their holidays or weekends away and wanting their budgets to go as far as possible, so it's advisable to book early to take advantage of the lowest possible fares."