Manchester Airport gears up for its biggest Christmas yet – following a record-breaking November
· More than 1.5m passengers are due to go through Manchester Airport over the Christmas break
· The busiest days will be 19 December and 28 December – with over 100,000 passengers expected on those days
· The airport has offered handy hints and tips to passengers due to travel over the festive period – including a warning not to fly with wrapped presents
· The busy period follows a record-breaking November, boosted by passengers jetting off to enjoy some warm weather
It is set to be Manchester Airport’s biggest and best Christmas on record with 1.5million passengers due to fly between 19 December and 4 January.
The UK’s global gateway in the North is ready for the influx of passengers with extra staff in place in key areas of the airport – as well as a few festive surprises.
The airport, which is the UK’s biggest outside London with a route network of more than 200 destinations, has also provided passengers with a few hints and tips to help them make sure they have a relaxing start to their Christmas trips.
The tips include reminding people not to travel with wrapped presents in their hand baggage – as these will have to be opened to make sure they are safe to travel.
The two most popular days to travel over the Christmas period will be Friday, 19 December – the final Friday before Christmas – and Sunday, 28 December – when lots of people who spent Christmas away will return at the same time as many people who are spending New Year abroad will be departing.
There will even be 85 departures on Christmas day and almost 35,000 passengers expected to fly into or out of the airport. Dubai will be the most popular destination on Christmas day, with more than 1,500 people heading there.
It will come on the back of Manchester Airport’s busiest November on record. 2.2million passengers flew into or out of the airport during the month – a 4% increase on the previous November record set last year.
Over the course of the month 96% of passengers waited for 10 minutes or under to get to security and 99% waited for under 15 minutes.
The majority of passengers this Christmas will use Manchester Airport’s brand new, £1.3bn Terminal 2. Over the last few months airlines have been moving over the new facility so now all but Ryanair will operate from it.
Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:
“Christmas is one of the most exciting times of year to work here at Manchester Airport. I love walking through arrivals, watching those special ‘Love Actually’ moments, and seeing the departure lounge full of excited faces.
“It’s the kind of thing that really epitomises what we mean when we say we’re proud to connect the North to the world – when I see those scenes I feel a personal pride in the part I’ve played and I know that’s shared by everyone who works here.
“This year is set to be even busier than last, with 1.5million passengers due to fly in the two-week Christmas period. With all our work in preparation, I feel confident that they will get a great service.
“Our new Terminal 2 is almost fully open, meaning more passengers can benefit from everything it has to offer – from the extra space and the high-tech security equipment to the shopping, bars and restaurants in the departure lounge. It really is a terminal to rival any in capital cities across Europe.
“And people using Terminal 3 will see the first signs of change as we improve and expand that too.
“Of course, there are always things people can do to make sure their passage through the airport is smooth – including the simple things like checking-in ahead of time and packing smart, but also things like remembering not to take wrapped presents through security. You want your presents to be opened by your loved ones, not our security staff!
“On behalf of all my colleagues at Manchester Airport, I’d like to wish all our passengers a very happy Christmas and a brilliant 2026 – we look forward to welcoming you.”
Manchester Airport’s top tips for Christmas travel:
Before you travel
- Make sure you pack smart – know how much baggage allowance you have and pack accordingly. Even if you’re only travelling with hand baggage some airlines have different allowances to others.
- If you roll your clothes up rather than folding them you can save space in your bags
- If you’re travelling over Christmas you may be carrying presents with you – but remember you can’t take wrapped presents through security so wait until you get to your destination before you wrap any gifts
- Make sure you know where your passport is and that you’ve got six months left on it – in some places this is a requirement to travel
- Plan your journey to the airport – if you are travelling in the winter the road and rail networks are more vulnerable to disruption
- If you’re driving, make sure you look on a map to see where your car park is
- Consider taking public transport if you can – Manchester Airport is the best connected in the country with a train, tram and bus station at the heart of the airport within walking distance of all terminals
- Check which terminal you’re flying from – following Manchester Airport’s £1.3bn transformation programme, knowing which terminal you’re flying from has never been easier; if you’re flying with any airline apart from Ryanair you’ll be using Terminal 2. Over Christmas Ryanair passengers should follow signs to Terminal 1 Departures A
- Check-in online before you leave. Most airlines allow you to do this a week or more in advance. It is especially useful if you’re not bringing hold baggage with you as it means you won’t have to wait at check-in and can go straight to security
- If you have hold baggage, why not check to see if your airline offers night-before bag drop. Many airlines offer a service that allows you to come to the airport the night before you fly, park for free and drop you bag off at a time when check-in isn’t busy and you won’t have to queue
- Bring at least one outfit that’s suitable for the weather here in Manchester – you don’t have to save space in your baggage if you wear it
- If you’re traveling with children, consider packing some activities and snacks for while you’re at the airport
- It’s also worth talking to children about the things they will see and experience at the airport – airports can be overwhelming your young people
- If you’re being dropped off at the airport, consider the free drop off point at JetParks 1. It’s a five-minute bus ride from the terminals and the buses run regularly, 24 hours a day
- Manchester Airport offers a range of services you can book to make your trip easier including Security FastTrack, which lets you use a dedicated lane, TimeSlot, which lets you book a specific time to pass through security, and Passport Control FastTrack for when you return to the airport – find out more here
- You can even book personalised assistance to guide you through your whole airport trip with luxurious Meet & Assist services - find out more here
- If you want to really elevate your experience, consider booking to fly from Manchester Airport’s premium terminal aether. You can use aether regardless of who you are flying with or where you are flying to – find out more here
At the airport
- The vast majority of passengers – around 95% - at Manchester Airport wait for less than 10 minutes to get to security. You can help make sure queues move smoothly by preparing for security in advance
- Manchester Airport now has new scanners in place across all security lanes, which means electronics and liquids don’t need to be removed from bags
- But, in accordance with Department for Transport rules, you can only take liquids of up to 100ml through security
- There are exceptions for medicines and baby milk, including breast milk and formula
- When you get to security being ready to take off jackets and coats, your belt, jewellery and other accessories will help
- You only need to take off your shoes if they have metal toe caps
- Make sure you don’t have anything sharp with you – this includes multi-tools and penknives
- If you need a lighter you can bring one with you – but only one
- Relax – our departure lounges are full of things to help you pass the time before your flight in style. You can enjoy full meals in a range of restaurants, refreshments and snacks in our bars or quick meals from an array of cafes and other eateries. There’s also World Duty Free for all your fragrances and more, clothing shops, sports shops, electronics, books and much more – you could even get your Christmas shopping done!