Business leaders from Cheshire say a new direct flight from Manchester to Houston and the return of non-stop flights to Singapore will deliver a major boost to the region.

Both parts of the world have strengths in sectors that will be key to driving growth in the region in the years to come, such as energy, life sciences and financial services.

Direct connectivity will deliver significant benefits to Cheshire firms that already travel there indirectly, as well as opening up fresh opportunities for a raft of other firms and organisations.

Currently, more than 3,000 people from Cheshire fly to Texas every year but have to travel indirectly via London or other overseas hubs.

Singapore Airlines will start flying direct from Manchester Airport to Houston from October 30. It is the first ever direct service from the north to Houston and will be Singapore Airlines’ first ever transatlantic service in the UK.

While more than 5,500 people from Cheshire currently travel to Singapore using the current service, which stops in Munich or travelling via other hubs.

A host of business groups, as well as individual companies, have all praised the new services and believe they are a massive benefit to the region and will unlock new business, investment and tourism opportunities for the region.

Carl Emery, owner of Harris and Howard Tailors, based in Alderley Edge, said: “As a business with bases in both Cheshire and Houston, we are delighted to hear of the new route launch from Manchester to Houston.

“Being able to fly directly from Manchester will significantly improve our journey time as we work alongside our office in Houston, no longer having to make time consuming connections via other airports.

“The development of routes such as this is helping to connect Manchester to other global business hubs, which in turn advances the opportunities available to businesses such as ours based in the North.”

Brian Watt, vice president at Innospec, based in Ellesmere Port, said: “With major offices and laboratories in both Ellesmere Port and Houston, we have significant traffic between the North West and Texas. Not only will this route save us time, by avoiding connections in Heathrow or Frankfurt, but it will hopefully offer lower cost, on what is one of the most expensive routes to the USA.”

Singapore Airlines will operate a 777-300 on both routes with first, business and economy cabins available. Full fare conditions are available on singaporeair.com.