Manchester Airport is UK’s third biggest airport and the global gateway to the North of England, with 23 million passengers travelling through the airport per year.
The airport is continuing its ambitious investment with a 10-year transformation programme worth up to £1 billion (€1.3bn), with the first works to start in April 2016. Brad Miller, Manchester Airport Transformation Programme (MAN-TP) Director, reveals to Airport Business that the project is expected to be completed in 2025.
Brad Miller, MAN-TP Director: “This programme will transform the airport for passengers, airlines, the region, the country and our shareholders, offering even greater levels of customer service; increased airport resilience and reliability, and improved environmental performance.”
Manchester Airports Group is undertaking a series of 60 enhancements. The project will provide passengers with facilities that combine a contemporary look and feel with state-of-the-art services. “We believe that Manchester Airport can play an even stronger role as a global gateway and, as part of this vision, we will be undertaking a sustained programme of investment over the next 10 years,” says Miller.
The airport plays an important part of Northern England’s economy and is a key component of the “Northern Powerhouse”. By supporting £1.8 billion (€2.3bn) every year in economic activity, the airport has a major impact on the local and regional economy.
Moreover, the airport already employs 21,000 people with a further 45,000 jobs supported indirectly. “World class transport infrastructure is the lifeblood of every successful economy and for the Northern Powerhouse to really take off, it is imperative that the strong foundations that are already in place are built upon,” comments Miller.
In the long-term, further improvements will include delivery of high-speed rail both to and across the North, offering passengers more direct connections to a wider range of destinations.
Manchester Airport’s Transformation Programme is a series of 60 enhancements, which will provide the millions of passengers that use the airport every year with facilities that combine a contemporary look and feel with state-of-the-art services.
Key elements of the Transformation Programme
- The expansion and reconfiguring of Terminal 2, to become the airport’s primary terminal building
- Improvement of Terminal 3 to cater for increased demand and an expanding flight schedule
- The introduction of new and enlarged airside transfer facilities, including the direct linkage between Terminals 2 and 3
- US pre-clearance facility, allowing passengers to clear immigration, customs, and agricultural inspection by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before boarding their flight
- Introduction of the latest technology in a new, enlarged security hall that will screen more passengers, quicker
- The introduction of a host of new customer friendly enhancements, including self-service check-in facilities and around 50 food and beverage and retail outlets
- Creation of a ‘future-proofed’ operational airport environment that provides greater flexibility and resilience to cater to evolving airline and security needs
- The introduction of new stands and piers, offering better departure gate facilities
- Improved surface access road system making it easier for customers to come to and from our airport
“This programme will transform the airport for passengers, airlines, the region, the country and our shareholders, offering even greater levels of customer service; increased airport resilience and reliability, and improved environmental performance,” says Brad Miller, MAN-TP Director.
