Left to right: Jammes Shen, director of aviation marketing at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport and William Pearson, aviation development director for Birmingham Airport
Birmingham Airport and Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport become ‘sister airports’ with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize a working relationship and to commit to developing links between the two cities.
The MOU was signed at a ceremony at the Routes Asia conference in Kunming, China, by William Pearson, aviation development director for Birmingham Airport, and Jammes Shen, director of aviation marketing at Guangzhou Baiyun Airport.
The agreement, which sees the two airports become ‘sister airports’, signifies a commitment by both parties to collaborate on joint marketing campaigns, policy co-ordination and sharing best practice.
Pearson said, “We are delighted to establish this new partnership with Guangzhou Baiyun Airport, which we hope will pave the way for potential flights between the two cities in the future.
“This signing reflects our intent to work together, forging an effective working relationship, and to develop mutually advantageous opportunities that will benefit both airports as well as the cities of Birmingham and Guangzhou.
“Baiyun Airport and Birmingham Airport have signed a strategic co-operation framework agreement which will enhance the co-operation in areas such as hub construction, airport operation, joint marketing, airport service enhancement and airport resource sharing. By signing this agreement, Baiyun and Birmingham Airport can also contribute to the rapid development of the aviation market of Guangzhou and Birmingham.”
The partnership follows a recent announcement that non-stop charter flights between Birmingham and China will recommence in the summer. The twice-weekly service to Beijing will be operated by Hainan Airlines using a Boeing 767-300 aircraft.