Runway Visitor Park unveils summer events programme

Manchester Airport’s Runway Visitor Park will play host to a range of events this summer, it has announced, as it prepares to fully reopen to guests.

The popular attraction has worked with organisers such as the Aviation Society, Manchester Historic Vehicle Club and Cheadle Rotary Club to put together the summer programme.

The programme kicks off this Saturday, 29th May, with the North West 4x4 Vehicle Club hosting a open day, where visitors will have the chance to see more than 20 vehicles in action. The club provides a free service to the NHS and the Emergency Services by transporting doctors, nurses and rescue personnel to incidents in hard-to-access locations.

Further events include a military vehicles exhibition on Sunday 27^th June and the Manchester Historic Vehicle Club’s prestigious Annual Concours show on Sunday 4^th July, with a range of vintage cars on display competing for prizes.

Sunday 25^th July is an important date in the Runway Visitor Park’s diary for aviation fans, meanwhile, as the venue welcomes back the Aviation Society’s Airport Memorabilia Fair. The event will have traders and exhibitors from all over the UK and Europe attending, bringing with them an impressive range of aviation memorabilia.

Major aviation book and magazine publishers, authors and model aircraft producers will also be in attendance, whilst the show’s more unusual exhibits will include a display of aircraft parts of all shapes and sizes which have been turned into furniture and household ornaments, many of which will be available to purchase.

Outside the hangar, there will be live music from local band Loose Change Buskers and open top buses will be strategically positioned in the park for photographers to get the best possible views of aircraft arriving and departing.

The range of summer events will accompany the park’s hugely successful aircraft tours, which give aviation enthusiasts the chance to explore classic planes and sit behind the controls of the iconic Concorde, among others.

The tours had been halted due to the Coronavirus pandemic but have resumed on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays

Robert Hassard, Manager of the Runway Visitor Park, said:

“The Runway Visitor Park is a well-loved institution, popular with families and aviation fans alike, and after a difficult 12 months during the pandemic, we look forward to marking its full return this summer with an incredible array of activities, events and fairs.

“We have worked with a wide range of event organisers to bring an exciting and varied summer programme to the park, and we cannot wait to welcome the public back.

“We are sure that these events will bring an extra dimension to the visitor experience and will complement the fantastic range of attractions already on offer, including aircraft tours, a family fun fair and brilliant plane spotting locations complete with live airport commentary and an extensive children’s play area.”

To book, or for more information, visit www.runwayvisitorpark.co.uk.

RVP Summer Programme in full;

Sat 29^th May – North West 4x4 Vehicle Club Open Day – exhibiting over 20 vehicles and displays showing their diverse capabilities and equipment.

Sun 27^th Jun – Military Vehicles Open Day - privately owned military vehicles of all shapes and sizes will be coming along to the RVP, many of which have seen active service in conflicts all over the world.

Sun 4^th Jul – Manchester Historic Vehicle Open Day - Annual Concours event sees prizes awarded to best maintained vintage vehicles.

Sun 11^th Jul - Chester Historic Vehicle Club Open Day – a rally beginning at Chester will end at the RVP.

Sun 25^th Jul – Airport Memorabilia Fair – large-scale annual fair organised by the Manchester-based Aviation Society.

Fri 6^th Aug - Messerschmitt Vehicle Open Day - having gone out of production in 1964, the Messerschmitt Bubble Car is a rarely spotted icon. The RVP is delighted to welcome the Messerschmitt Owners' Club, who will be displaying their vehicles at the park.

Sun 8^th Aug – Icons of the Road Historic Vehicle Open Day - held in conjunction with Cheadle Rotary Club, with ‘supercars’ past and present.

Sun 15^th Aug – Rolls Royce Open Day – a celebration of Rolls Royce vehicles and engines, including the engines on board our famous Concorde.

Sun 22^nd Aug - Red Rose (Lancashire) Jaguar Club Open Day - approximately 50 Jaguar cars of all ages and types on show.

Sun 29^th Aug – RVP Family Day – Bank Holiday Weekend entertainment will include a display of specialist Airport vehicles, a Red Arrows Flight Simulator and open-top buses for an enhanced airfield viewing experience.

Sun 5^th Sep – Morris Minor Open Day – a rally held by the North West Morris Minor Club.