Manchester Airport set for £440m upgrade

An additional security hall, new gates, and an expanded departure lounge are in store for Terminal 2 as part of the final phase of the £1.3bn Manchester Airport Transformation Programme.

Manchester Airport Group’s 10-year Manchester Airport Transformation Programme was first announced in 2015 and is dedicated towards delivering an improved Terminal 2. The first phase of the scheme completed in April 2019 with the introduction of a passenger pier at the terminal and a new multi-storey carpark.

In July 2021, the next phase finished, doubling the size of the terminal and giving it a new look.

This final, £440m phase is expected to take two years to complete. When it wraps, there will be more shops and food and drink outlets for travellers to enjoy. The departure lounge will double in size and there will be a new pier with large gates for passengers.

This CGI gives a taste of what the new retail experience would look like at Terminal 2. Credit: via Manchester Airport

An additional security hall will be built with next generation security scanners, according to MAG.

Those checking in bags will find that process speed up with the doubling of the terminal’s hold baggage capacity to more than 5,000 bags per hour. MAG also announced that two new teardrop check-in islands will be part of the plans.

Over on the airfield, improvements will be made to help improve efficiency. These include the introduction of a dual taxiway system and addition of flexible aircraft stands.

The improvements include a new security hall with the latest equipment. Credit: via Manchester Airport

When work on Terminal 2 completes in the summer of 2025, MAG estimates that 80% of airport passengers will use that terminal. Accordingly, Terminal 1 will close after 63 years of service.

More than 500 jobs will be created during the two-year construction of this final phase, according to MAG.

The completion of the wider £1.3bn project will increase the airport’s contribution to the Northern economy by 80%, according to research by York Aviation. That would see the contribution grow from £3.5bn to £6.3bn by 2040, the Macclesfield-based aviation consultancy said.

Manchester Airport Group’s plans for Terminal 2 include new check-in areas. Credit: via Manchester Airport

Charlie Cornish, chief executive of MAG, described the airport as “a key economic asset for the North”.

Cornish added: “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.”

Chris Woodroofe, managing director of Manchester Airport, echoed Cornish’s sentiment.

“It is hugely exciting to be announcing this significant investment in Manchester Airport,” Woodroofe said. “It represents a major milestone in the history of both our airport, and the region as a whole.”

MAG’s investment in the airport also drew praise from across the North West.

Manchester City Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig described the investment accordingly: “It is a boost not just for the airport itself but for Manchester, and Greater Manchester, as a whole.

“The airport is a vital asset which helps attract employment and investment to the city and supports tens of thousands of jobs, both directly and through the wider visitor economy,” Craig continued.

“Having this global connectivity is a major competitive advantage for Manchester…This scale of investment, underpinned by a long-term vision to transform the airport and its facilities, is a real statement of confidence.”

The upgraded Terminal 2 would also benefit Liverpool, according to Marketing Liverpool. Credit: via Manchester Airport

Chris Brown, director of Marketing Liverpool, said he was “delighted” by the news.

“Not only will it benefit passengers travelling through the airport with brand new routes and world class facilities, but it will open up Liverpool City Region as a destination to attract long haul global audiences,” he said.

Terry Hayward, chief executive of North Cheshire Chamber, chimed in: “Manchester Airport’s announcement of a £440m investment in the next phase of their Transformation Programme could not have come at a better time.

“This major infrastructure project will provide a much-needed boost to the local economy both in the construction phase and afterwards, as the capacity of the airport continues to increase,” Hayward continued.

“Manchester Airport is critical to so many north Cheshire businesses both for business travel and for freight and as it continues to attract new airlines and open up new routes it will bring more businesses to the area and more visitors.”

More food and beverage outlets would be added to the airport. Credit: via Manchester Airport

Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, looked at the investment from a Northern perspective.

Murison said: “As the international gateway to the North of England, Manchester Airport acts as a critical player in our economy, supporting thousands of jobs and unlocking billions in economic value by facilitating tourism, trade and investment.

“This major investment will sit at the heart of plans to make the North one of the most competitive economic regions in the world, helping the North realise its full potential while rebalancing the UK economy,” he continued.

“Over the past decade the Northern Powerhouse has built up a heavyweight reputation around the globe, with foreign direct investment up more than 72% in the last five years. This transformation project from Manchester Airport will help to cement our position on the world stage and attract even more visitors and investors in the years to come.”

In addition to Manchester Airport, MAG owns and operates London Stansted and East Midlands Airport. The company is owned by a variety of public and private shareholders. Manchester City Council and IFM Global Infrastructure each have 35.5% of the shares. The nine other Greater Manchester councils have 29% of the shares.