Hainan Airways is to add a fifth weekly direct flight between Beijing and Manchester from June.

It follows the success of the airline's four-times-a-week service to Beijing, the only scheduled direct link to the Chinese capital outside of London. The additional flight will operate from June 1, said a joint statement issued in Manchester by Manchester Airport and Hainan Airways.

The statement added the service will potentially see Hainan Airlines new Dreamliners operating on the Manchester direct route into Beijing, depending on aircraft availability.

By adding an extra weekly flight, Hainan Airlines opens more opportunities for the only direct flight into Chinese mainland outside of London.