The boss of airline Etihad says he wants to make Manchester its European headquarters, creating 100 jobs within 18 months.
Chief executive James Hogan plans to bring all of the carrier's back office functions under one roof and describes the city as the 'perfect' location.
The Australian was speaking to the MEN as Etihad opened its call centre at Manchester airport, which will employ 160 people by July.
Mr Hogan reiterated his pledge to double the size of the call centre in the next five years, as well as looking to add a third or fourth daily flight from Manchester to Abu Dhabi.
He added: “This call centre is another example of our commitment to Manchester.
"On the back of this, all the administrative and other back-room service functions for the whole of Europe will over a period of time come to Manchester.
"We have made the decision the Manchester will be an important base for us and I would expect that to be at least another 100 jobs coming here over the next 18 months."
Currently, Etihad has administrative functions in each of the European cities it flies from, which it will consolidate at Manchester.
Its new call centre is in the Voyager building at Manchester Airport. It is Etihad's first in Europe and fourth worldwide.
In March 2011, Etihad doubled the frequency of its flights from Manchester to the Middle East to 14 week.
In August, it opened a line maintenance facility at the airport and it has signed a 10-year sponsorship deal with Manchester City.
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This is great news for the City. Further confirmation of the growing links between ambitious, oil rich, Abu Dhabi and the people of Manchester.
I now await the usual negative comments from certain sectors of the MEN's readership. The criticism is normaly along the lines of what do we need more call centres for, when what we really need is more money for LED's, superstrongs and superkings.
I am writing this after reading the pathetic reaction to Peel's announcement of the new mini-city at the Quays.
Come on MEN readers don't let me down.
great news for the area , the city and the people ..
I don't think people realise how valuable an asset Manchester Airport is. With 2 runways, it has plenty more capacity left, lots of land around it for expansion but still close to the city centre. Etihad aren't daft, they can see that Heathrow is over-capacity and Manchester is a great place to place a major hub.
Manchester City....ruining football, airlines, and now creating infrastructure and jobs since 2008....
Well done Etihad,great news for the City.
Pity the main British airlines do not share the same commitment as overseas airlines. They should rechristen themselves London Airways and London Midland.
Not as daft as you think these oil rich chappies are they london,s airports are a total mess & probally very exspensive where as good old manchester can/could offer the better deal this will also bring in other companies to the area creating yet more jobs ( sorry if i,ve scared some people with that comment ) but as they say money attracts money
It is very good news that Etihad are making a sustantial investment in Manchester,one which will not only benefit Manchester but the North West as a whole,and hopefully they will put on more flights to not just Abd Dhabi but direct flights to other far away places too.
The Glazer family have opened up a pawn shop in Stretford Arndale. Why no feature on that?
The BBC have seen the light and now Etihad along with Emirates and all the other foreign airlines using Manchester can see the benefits - pity BA ( or London Airways as I like to call them) continue to turn a 'blind eye'
Yes great..more jobs for United fans in Manchester.
Etihad = United, Where do I sign up for one of these jobs?
How can I apply for this job?
It's brilliant news, the Sheikh is pumping and pumping money into Manchester especially Sport City
If your in a council house now in Sport City then "BUY IT" I know the market value has trebled in the last ten years but it's well still worth it, you will get £26,000 discount right away if you have been it long enough, your on a winner already!
I did buy mine but sold it for £34k back in 2001 that house is now valued at £120k. I am gutted but not as gutted as I will be in another ten years but I didn't know the the Sheikh from Abu Dhabi was going to invest like crazy in Sport City.
It's a no brainer really if the Sheik is investing, so should you!!