Manchester Airports Group (M.A.G) has announced a 10-year investment programme for Manchester Airport, which will transform the gateway through developments worth up to £1 billion (€1.4bn) over the course of the next decade. The ‘Manchester Airport Transformation Programme’ features a series of 60 enhancements aiming to provide the millions of passengers that use the airport every year with facilities that combine state-of-the-art services with a contemporary look and feel.
The ‘Manchester Airport Transformation Programme’ is a series of 60 enhancements that 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.
The key elements of the Transformation Programme include:
• The expansion and reconfiguration 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 preclearance facility, allowing passengers to clear immigration, customs, and agricultural inspection by U.S. 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 the airport.
The £1 billion (€1.4bn) programme of enhancements will be funded by the private sector. Chancellor of the Exchequer the Rt Hon George Osborne MP said: “The investment, which will completely transform Manchester Airport and double its capacity, will help ensure that it continues to compete with global airports across the world.” Manchester Airport already creates £1.8 billion (€2.5bn) annually for the local economy, employing 20,000 people on site and a further 25,000 people indirectly. The programme expects to create an additional 1,500 jobs and facilitate the handling of a further 30 million annual passengers by 2025.
Among the modernisations that the £1 billion investment will see made to Manchester Airport’s infrastructure is the expansion and reconfiguration of Terminal 2 to become the airport’s primary terminal building, the improvement of Terminal 3 to cater for increased demand and an expanding flight schedule, and the creation of a ‘future-proofed’ airport environment that provides greater flexibility and resilience, to cater to evolving airline and security needs.
The airport did emphasise that the transition programme will be implemented in an incrementally phased approach, and make best use of the existing terminal campus area in order to ensure minimal disruption to airport operations, passengers and airlines.
“The Transformation Programme will ensure Manchester Airport plays its full part in driving economic growth and develops as a key part of the UK transport infrastructure, within a nationwide network of competing airports,” enthused Charlie Cornish, Chief Executive of M.A.G. “Over the next 10 years, the airport will continue to develop as a global gateway for the UK, directly to and from the North, and these enhancements will enable us to further adapt, modernise and transform the customer service experience we are able to offer.”
