Manchester Airport and Thomas Cook team up for Pride sponsorship

Manchester Airport has teamed up with Thomas Cook Airlines in a sponsorship deal with Manchester Pride, taking the Big Weekend’s headline spot.

While the news represents the fourth consecutive year of sponsorship for the airport, it is a first for Thomas Cook. The airline is expecting to boost visitor numbers for the Summer Bank Holiday event as well as footfall for businesses in the city centre, by carrying even more passengers to Manchester Airport than in 2014.

Over the course of the weekend, the facility is expecting its three terminals to welcome 342,000 passengers.

Ken O’Toole, Manchester Airport’s MD, said: “We are pleased to jointly sponsor the Manchester Pride festival, alongside one of our largest airlines, as we prepare to welcome thousands of international visitors to the region over the Bank Holiday Weekend.”

Thomas Cook Airlines, which is the biggest long-haul carrier at Manchester Airport, has increased its direct flights to Miami and New York from the city. Further new services will be launched next year, including direct flights from Manchester to US destinations like Boston and Los Angeles.

A Thomas Cook Airlines spokesman commented: “Manchester is our biggest base in the UK and we have more long-haul routes from here with our new premium economy cabin than any other airline, so it’s a natural fit to support The Big Weekend too.

“It’s going to be a massive party and we hope it’ll encourage visitors to try our US routes in particular, which are growing every year.”

The event’s USA theme has been designed to acknowledge the US routes that Thomas Cook operates, which include Orlando and Las Vegas.

Mark Fletcher, Manchester Pride’s chief executive, said: “It’s great that Manchester Airport and Thomas Cook Airlines are supporting our annual LGBT celebration. It’s big news for the region that you can now fly to six US destinations with Thomas Cook Airlines.”