rutankrd:
The three MEN articles I am referring to contain specific reference to securing a direct Far East flight service (implying that there isn't one already). I am wary of infringing copyright by quoting the articles directly. However, the articles are available on the MEN website as follows:
10/04 'Manchester Airport secures Hong Kong flights deal with Cathay Pacific" - this is one which you have linked.
11/04 "Prime Minister welcomes new Hong Kong route as 'hugely encouraging' ".
14/04 "Airport extends second runway opening hours to cope with demand".
The 11/04 article references 'Manchester's first direct flight to the Far East.' The other two articles clearly leave the reader with the impression that Cathay's service will be MAN's first and only direct service to the Far East. Nowhere is wording such as 'another', 'a second direct service to' or 'an additional service to' used. Any of these would have clarified the situation. There is no mention of Singapore or SIA anywhere.
Ultimately, Singapore Airlines is a direct competitor with Cathay Pacific to the Far East, and its long-standing support for Manchester Airport fully deserves acknowledgment, particularly from MAG itself.