Manchester Airport calls for more financial support for travel industry and roadmap out of restrictions

direct to your inboxMichael Gove refused to say whether lifting coronavirus restrictions at Christmas was wrong. The cabinet minister was challenged by Ben Shephard on Thursday's Good Morning Britain over the loosening of measures on December 25.

direct to your inboxManchester Airport has called for a 'clear plan' to help the travel industry navigate its way out of the pandemic following the announcement of strict new measures to limit flying abroad. Hub bosses say the new restrictions, including a directive to airlines to quiz people about their reasons for travel prior to boarding, will have 'limited impact' on their already diminished number of passengers.

straight to your inbox every day for freeThe games are still coming thick and fast and Manchester United are back in action on Wednesday as Sheffield United visit Old Trafford.United go into the game full of confidence after beating Liverpool in the FA Cup on Sunday and having not lost in the Premier League in 13 matches.The players were back in training at the start of the week ahead of the Blades' visit.

direct to your inboxA Ryanair pilot was robbed at gunpoint as he walked home from Manchester Airport, a court heard.Earl Green, 38, was one of a group of three men who approached the pilot, then 25, as he walked through Painswick Park in Wythenshawe just before midnight.Another of the robbers took out a handgun from his jacket, and the pilot felt something push against his temple which he believed to be the weapon.He was able to get away but the pilot said he feared for his life, and has since

direct to your inboxThe Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital is to open emergency Covid beds for adults in a sign of the unprecedented pressure facing Greater Manchester’s hospitals.Sir Richard Leese, the region’s health chief, said the situation in the system was now ‘critical’ as NHS bosses have scrambled to discharge as many people as possible ahead of a sustained peak over the coming three weeks.Crisis meetings have been held to determine the ability to scale up beds, as Salford Royal and

direct to your inboxThe NHS has sadly confirmed the deaths of 29 more patients in hospitals in Greater Manchester who had tested positive for Covid-19.The region's hospital death toll now stands at 4,757.NHS bosses said on Friday a further 993 people who tested positive for the virus have died in hospitals across England.It brings the total number of confirmed reported deaths in hospitals in England to 65,104.In the north west, a further 94 hospital deaths were reported, the NHS said on Friday.A

Brexit financial support for the music industry.The government has come in for heavy criticism since the UK officially left the EU earlier this month over the Brexit deal’s lack of support for touring musicians, specifically in terms of the failure to implement visa-free travel in Europe for British musicians and their crew.While Dowden previously told NME that the EU was to blame for not permitting visa-free travel for artists, the EU subsequently hit back by denying claims that they had

direct to your inbox A man caught by security officials in a restricted area at Manchester Airport claimed he was trying to get a flight back to his home country. Anday Koday, 31, was spotted in a no-go zone in January.

direct to your inboxManchester Airport is to cut its business hours for arrivals and departures in response to new strict measures imposed on passengers travelling into the UK.The hub, which is currently operating from just one of its three terminals, will implement the 'efficiency' changes until February 15 - although the changes could be extended depending on national guidance.The first time such restrictions have been implemented, arriving airlines will be asked to land between 4.01am and

direct to your inboxTwo men have been charged with firearms and other offences after being arrested at Manchester Airport.The pair were held on Monday by officers from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit.In a statement the NWROCU said: "Last night, two men from Northenden, Manchester were charged with conspiracy to sell/ transfer weapons and conspiracy to supply Class A Drugs, as well as a series of offences including being concerned in the production of Class B Drugs, money laundering

direct to your inbox Two men have been arrested at Manchester Airport today on suspicion of firearms, drugs, and money laundering.

direct to your inbox Travellers were today arriving at Manchester Airport just hours ahead of the closure of all air travel corridors.

straight to your inbox every day for freeRB Leipzig have no interest in selling star defender Dayot Upamecano this month, amid Manchester United's interest, and more transfer rumours. M.E.N.

direct to your inboxA flood 'alert' has been put in force in Greater Manchester today after hours of heavy rainfall overnight.The alert warns of 'possible' flooding around the area of the middle River Mersey catchment area.It includes areas near Bramhall in Stockport, Sale, Altrincham and Urmston.The Environment Agency warned: "Flooding is possible - be prepared."And Transport for Greater Manchester said: "With heavy rain in Greater Manchester this morning, expect flooding in some areas.

straight to your inboxManchester City goalkeeper Ederson Moraes appears to be a doubt for Sunday's match against Chelsea and the Manchester Derby on Wednesday.Pep Guardiola 's men face Manchester United at Old Trafford during the week in a Carabao Cup semi-final clash, and they could be without their number one. Ederson has said he is self-isolating, putting him at risk of missing the clash with Manchester United in just four days' time.

direct to your inboxThe streets were empty as Greater Manchester said goodbye to 2020 and ushered in a new year - but many were determined to keep alive at least one tradition.Our video from Werneth Low shows how many parts of Greater Manchester were ablaze with colour as people set off fireworks at midnight to celebrate the arrival of 2021.Around 200 socially distanced people gathered on the popular spot to watch the moment our region said goodbye to 2020 and ushered in the New Year.Car horns

direct to your inboxIt has been a year like no other.However Great Mancunians have still made headlines across the world, for all sorts of reasons.Here we look at those who have put the region on the map in 2020, a year we will never forget.2020 has undoubtedly belonged to Manchester United and England star Marcus Rashford.However it is his incredible work off the pitch which has made the headlines, even more than his impressive goal-scoring feats on it.The Withington-born and Wythenshawe raised

direct to your inbox"It's absolutely gut-wrenching."Hair salon owner Jane Nixon describes how she felt as Matt Hancock announced that Greater Manchester would be moving into Tier 4.And it's a feeling thousands of business owners across the region will be familiar with.A change in restrictions, businesses finally being allowed to open then being forced to shut again just a few weeks later.