Airline's final runway departure

BA will only fly to London airports from Manchester

British Airways' last direct international flight from Manchester has taken off.

The airline's final service from the north west of England to New York's JFK airport left at 1018 BST.

A spokeswoman said a decline in business travellers and increased competition had forced the move.

New York was British Airways' only remaining international route from Manchester Airport, future passengers will have to travel via London.

The British Airways (BA) flight from Manchester to JFK airport in New York used to fly on a daily basis, seven days a week.

Travellers can still fly with BA from Manchester, but only via Heathrow and Gatwick.

Other firms, including Delta and Continental, offer transatlantic services from Manchester.