Manchester Airport Unveils Details of £1 Billion Transformation

Manchester Airport, the UK’s third largest airport, has unveiled further details of its £1 billion transformation.

With several months still to go until the new “super terminal” opens, Manchester Airport has shared new images and a video to showcase what passengers using the new facilities can expect when they start using it from next summer.

Since the project began, more than £688 million has been spent and more than 1,800 people are currently working on it.

The first phase of the programme opened in April 2019 with the first passenger pier and a new 3,800 space multi-storey car park.

New features unveiled include a honeycomb light installation that illuminates the departure lounge. With 16 million settings, it will change colours depending on the time of day.

A new 83 sqm digital screen will take centre stage in the new extension to provide entertainment and information to passengers.

There will also be a new children’s play area to help families pass the time before their flight.

Retailers such as WH Smiths and Dixons Travel will open in the departure lounge, which will also be home to Bury-based JD Sports' largest ever airport store in the UK.

Fifteen new F&B outlets will open including San Carlo Cicchetti, Pot Kettle Black, Archie’s and Barburrito.

Andrew Cowan, CEO of Manchester Airport, said, “Our £1 billion transformation will allow us to continue playing our role as the UK’s global gateway in the north, offering our 29.5m annual passengers and the entire region a world class airport, connecting them to a wealth of vital economic and tourist hubs. We’re delighted with the progress that’s been made on the project and we can’t wait for passengers to experience the new facilities next summer. The new extension will offer a real step change to our passengers with state-of-the-art facilities and a great selection of shops and restaurants for them to enjoy.”

The first the phase of the terminal extension is set to open in July 2020. It will see a brand-new security hall, departure lounge, immigration hall, arrivals hall and the new bus gate lounge open to passengers.

Once they are up and running, further facilities will start operating during the rest of 2020, including the first of the new ‘island’ check-in desk banks and the new baggage reclaim facilities.

As the various elements of the new extension open, the airport will start to close parts of the existing Terminal Two to allow for that area to be reconfigured to align with the new facilities.

The fully reconfigured Terminal Two will open in 2022 with 32 new shops and F&B outlets set to feature in that area. The completed Terminal Two will be 150% bigger than the current building once finished.

Pier Two will also open at that time and will be a similar size to Pier One. It will have the capability to handle the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the double-decker A380, and will also include airline lounges.

The remaining terminal and airfield infrastructure is due to open in 2024.

The sunflower room that has proved popular in Terminal One, will open in the reconfigured terminal in 2022.

The completed extension will achieve BREEAM status of very good for its sustainability credentials. Other environmental developments include fixed electric ground power points on all new stands which mean aircraft don’t have to leave their engines running when parked up. The terminal will also feature a combined heat and power system.

Manchester Airport Unveils New Details of £1 Billion Transformation

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