Some positive words from Laurie Berryman (Emirates) here:
Manchester is beginning to amaze everyone. It is building itself as a strong
international airport from which people realise you can fly long-haul.
Perhaps one day, through fifth freedom flights (commercial aviation rights),
Emirates could fly Dubai to New York via Manchester? “We do hold some rights out of the regions, so I would never say never
Heathrow sits in the south of England, but Manchester has a bigger catchment area in terms of a two-hour drive.”
The interview: Laurie Berryman, Emirates | Buying Business Travel