Manchester Airports Group (M.A.G) has announced a 10-year, £1bn investment programme for Manchester Airport that will transform the airport, ensuring that it continues to thrive as a national asset and plays an even greater role as the UK’s global gateway from the North.
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.
Manchester Airport is the UK’s third largest airport and the preferred choice for millions of people looking to fly. With two runways, the airport has significant capacity for growth and already serves over 70 airlines and in excess of 210 short and long haul destinations. Manchester Airport is the only UK airport outside of London with direct routes to a host of global destinations including Miami, Hong Kong, Jeddah, Singapore, Atlanta, Washington and Boston.
Manchester Airport will also play a key role in delivering a Northern Powerhouse, with the airport currently supporting £1.8 billion every year in economic activity in the local and regional economy. The airport already employs 20,000 people on site and supports a further 25,000 indirectly.
The key elements of the Transformation Programme include:
• 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 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 our airport
The Transformation Programme will adopt a phased approach to implementation of the improvements so as to ensure minimal disruption to airport operations, passengers and airlines. The £1bn programme updates and re-profiles existing long term capital investment plans and reflects the Group’s ongoing commitment to maintaining its strong investment-grade credit rating.
The improvements will be delivered inside the existing footprint of the airport and are consistent with the established guidance provided by the Manchester Airport Master Plan; that growth will be phased, incremental and making best use of the existing terminal campus area.
Charlie Cornish, Chief Executive of M.A.G, said, “Manchester Airport is thriving as a national asset, forming a key component of the UK’s aviation infrastructure at a time when airport capacity in the country is at a premium.
“The region in which the airport operates and serves has seen a pace of change in recent years almost unmatched by any other in the United Kingdom and we are proud of the role that we have played in driving economic growth – both across the North and the UK as a whole.'
Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, added, “Manchester Airport plays a vital economic role in the region in which it serves. Its annual passenger numbers last year topped a record 22 million and it provides jobs for 20,000 people on site and a further 25,000 indirectly.'