MAG (Manchester Airports Group) today announced a £440m investment in Manchester Airport, the final phase of a £1.3bn transformation programme.
The investment will transform the passenger experience at the UK’s third largest airport, with new spacious facilities, state-of-the-art technology and equipment, and a range of shops, bars, restaurants and airport lounges. It will, according to MAG, see the airport expand its role as the UK’s global gateway in the North.
The Manchester Airport Transformation Programme (MAN-TP) was first announced in 2015 with a ten-year vision to revolutionise the customer experience at the Northern hub and unlock the potential of its two full-length runways. The first phase saw Terminal 2 more than double in size, with the new facility having received positive feedback from passengers and airlines since opening in July 2021.
This latest investment will complete the transformation of Terminal 2, delivering improvement to all stages of the passenger journey – from check-in to baggage reclaim – as well as upgrading its airfield to cater for next-generation aircraft.
Upon completion in 2025, around 80% of all passengers will use the expanded Terminal 2, with Terminal 1 set to close – 63 years after it was opened by the Duke of Edinburgh, in 1962.
More than 500 jobs will be created in the construction phase alone, while independent analysis shows around 16,400 extra jobs will be generated by 2040 as a result of the economic activity stimulated by the expansion of the airport and its route network.
The same research – by York Aviation – reveals that Manchester Airport’s current contribution to the Northern economy of £3.5bn is expected to soar by nearly 80% to £6.3bn by 2040 as a result of the full delivery of the transformation programme. A further £2.9bn boost will be triggered through the increased productivity of businesses travelling and trading globally through Manchester over the same period.
Charlie Cornish, CEO of MAG, said: “Manchester Airport is a key economic asset for the North, and this investment will maximise the contribution it makes to creating a balanced and globally competitive UK economy.
“Our £1.3bn transformation programme demonstrates our long-term commitment to providing a great airport experience for passengers who travel through Manchester. I’m delighted to be announcing the go-ahead for the final phase, which will open in 2025, connecting the people and businesses of the North to dozens more global destinations, and creating jobs and stimulating increased levels of trade and tourism.”
Enabling works for the second phase of the project are already underway. Planned improvements include doubling the size of the existing departure lounge, with a wider selection of shops and F&B outlets; the construction of an additional security hall, fitted with next-generation security scanners; and a new pier, matching the look and feel of the pier that opened in 2019. A new dual taxiway system with flexible aircraft stands will be built, improving airfield efficiency; and the terminal’s hold baggage capacity will more than double, to over 5,000 bags per hour, with two new teardrop check-in islands.
Image: Manchester Airport Group
