Among those sharing their stories with passengers were Margaret and Jim McKie, a Stockport couple who lost their daughter to methanol poisoning in Bali in 2022.

Joining them were survivors Bethany Clarke and Calum Macdonald. Both were backpacking in Laos when they fell victim to a mass methanol poisoning event at a hostel in Vang Vieng. Bethany’s best friend Simone White was among six travellers who lost their lives, and Calum suffered permanent damage to his vision.

Methanol poisoning is a life-threatening illness caused by consuming alcohol contaminated with methanol, a highly toxic industrial form of alcohol that is unfit for human consumption. Methanol cannot be identified in alcoholic drinks by taste or smell and a single shot can be fatal.

Methanol can sometimes be found in counterfeit, illegally produced or contaminated alcoholic drinks. Information about the risks of methanol poisoning is currently included in FCDO travel advice for 29 destinations.

British holidaymakers are advised to take practical steps to reduce the risk, including avoiding free cocktails or shots, drinks from unlabelled bottles, and unusually cheap or heavily discounted drinks claiming to be brand-name alcohol. Sticking to beer, cider, wine and pre-mixed cocktails in sealed bottles or cans minimises the risk.

They are also encouraged to familiarise themselves with the symptoms so they can act quickly and seek medical attention for themselves or their travelling companions if necessary.

Early symptoms can resemble alcohol poisoning or a severe hangover. They can include vomiting, poor judgement, loss of balance and drowsiness, before more distinctive signs such as vision problems and breathlessness develop within 12 to 48 hours of consumption. Anyone showing signs of methanol poisoning should seek urgent medical attention immediately.

The Minister responsible for Consular and Crisis, Stephen Doughty, said: "Methanol poisoning can initially look like a bad hangover, but it can be life-threatening. Recognising the warning signs and getting urgent medical help could save a life. The symptoms can include nausea, vomiting, dizziness and confusion, followed by more distinctive signs such as blurred vision and breathlessness.

"We are grateful to the survivors, families and campaigners who continue to share their experiences to help others understand the risks, and to Manchester Airport for helping to bring this important message directly to travellers. Through the FCDO's 'Know the Signs' campaign, we are encouraging travellers to recognise the symptoms of methanol poisoning and seek urgent medical attention immediately if they suspect something is wrong.”

The campaigners’ pop-up information stand in Terminal 2 Departures is complemented by informational posters at key touchpoints around the terminal, including toilet cubicles.

Margaret and Jim said: “We really appreciate Manchester Airport's support for this important campaign, especially relevant at this time of year, when young people are setting off on gap years or international travel.

“We would never want to discourage young people from travelling and exploring the world - we just want them to be armed with the information to keep themselves safe.

“We welcome Manchester Airport's proactive approach on this issue and very much hope that other airports in the UK will follow suit."

They have been supported by their MP, Tom Morrison, who has raised the family’s case in Parliament.

He said: “Margaret and Jim have shown extraordinary courage in turning their unimaginable grief into action that could save other families from the same heartbreak. I've been proud to support them in raising their daughter's case in Parliament, and I'm hugely grateful to Bethany and Calum for having the courage to share their own experiences so publicly, and to Manchester Airports Group for hosting today's campaign. Their combined efforts are what will keep other travellers safe, and I'm right behind everyone involved.”

Bethany said: “It was great to speak to members of the travelling public face to face and share some really important guidance with them on the signs and symptoms to look for. If I could offer one piece of advice it would be to ensure you’re familiar with those symptoms and seek medical attention if in any doubt.”

Calum added: “From a personal perspective it’s important for me to turn a negative into a positive and use it to help people - but more broadly I think it’s important to ensure that the issue of methanol poisoning is better known and this has been a great opportunity to reach people directly with my own experiences.”

For comprehensive information on recognising symptoms and reducing risks, Brits should visit the Travel Aware campaign website. To check travel advice for a destination, visit gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.

· Businesses across the region have shared their stories of how having true international connectivity on their doorstep has helped them grow

· Political leaders including new Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Craig and Northern Powerhouse Partnership President Lord Jim O’Neill have backed the runway to continue to drive benefits for the North as a whole and close the UK’s productivity gap

·      However, items that are not permitted in your hand luggage – like large bottles of liquid and sports equipment – can be packed in your hold bags

·      Hold Baggage Screening team at Manchester Airport also explains most common pitfalls when packing your checked luggage – and how to avoid them

Don’t put vapes, power banks or tablet computers in your hold luggage or you risk having them removed when your bag is screened.

That’s the warning from the Hold Baggage Screening team at Manchester Airport – the staff responsible for conducting security screening on bags that have been checked in at the North’s hub airport.

With the rise in popularity of vaping, more and more passengers are bringing vapes and e-cigarettes with them when they travel – while items like power banks are particularly popular over the school summer holidays when a family might be bringing a number of electronic devices with them that will need to be charged on the go.

However, these items could pose a significant safety risk if packed or handled incorrectly – and if you put them in your hold luggage, security staff may need to remove them.

Anthony Shaw, a Security Team Leader within the Hold Baggage Screening team at Manchester Airport, explained:

“Small electronic devices like vapes, power banks and tablets are often powered by lithium batteries. These are very powerful batteries with a long lifespan and fast charging times, which makes them popular for these kinds of devices – but they store a massive amount of energy in a small space. If the battery gets too hot, or is faulty, it can catch fire without warning.

“For that reason, these devices are forbidden within hold luggage and must be carried in your hand luggage – where, in the event of an emergency, the problem will be spotted more quickly and can be more easily dealt with. Batteries for products like power tools are often lithium-based and these are not permitted for the same reasons.

“Our team screens all checked baggage to ensure it complies with security requirements – so if you pack a device containing a lithium battery into your hold luggage, we may have to open your bag and remove it. We don’t want to have to do that – so it’s really important that passengers acquaint themselves with the rules before packing their bags.”

Although devices powered by lithium batteries are not permitted in checked luggage, there are range of items which must be packed in your checked bag, not your hand luggage, if you want to take them on your travels this summer.

Anthony explained: “The 100ml liquids rule for hand luggage remains in place at Manchester Airport. We have now installed brand-new CT scanners in both of our terminals that will ultimately allow the 100ml rule to be lifted, but we are awaiting certification from the Civil Aviation Authority. For the time being, if you wish to bring liquids over 100ml – such as bottles of shampoo, conditioner or sun cream – you need to pack these in your hold luggage.

“Sports equipment like golf clubs, cricket bats and skis must be checked in too, due to their size – but also due to the risk that a bat or club could be used as a weapon.”

With more than 6 million passengers set to travel through Manchester Airport this summer, Anthony and his team will be very busy – and he emphasised the importance of packing bags correctly, to avoid any delays and to ensure your bag makes it onto the plane.

He explained: “For a large aircraft on a long-haul flight, we could be screening almost 1,000 checked bags – but even for a short hop holiday flight, we have to look at several hundred. Each bag that fails to pass security checks gets pulled aside, and often needs to be inspected manually – which is a process that takes several minutes per bag.

“This can create delays, but it also creates a risk that your hold bag might not make it onto the plane at all – so it’s really important to ensure your bag is packed correctly and that your vapes, power banks and small electronic devices are in your hand luggage.”

Anthony’s Hold Baggage Travel Tips:

Review the list of prohibited items before packing

Anthony says: “There are some hazardous items that are not permitted in either hold luggage or hand luggage. These include fireworks and pyrotechnics, non-safety matches, flammable liquids like oil, fuels, paint and thinners, real or replica firearms, as well as ammunition. You can find the full list at www.manchesterairport.co.uk/help/security.

“Many of these don’t sound like everyday items, but sometimes we do see people trying to bring common household items and appliances with them that are not compliant with these rules – including party poppers; cleaning products, like bleach; cooking oils, which are flammable liquids, or a mini-fridge to keep drinks cool, which are not permitted because they contain compressed gas. So it’s important to stop and review these rules when packing.”

Keep medication and important documents in your hand luggage

Anthony says: “Essential items like medication and travel documents need to be kept with you. This ensures you can access them promptly if needed, including in the event of a delay or cancellation to your flight. It also guards against you being without your items if your hold luggage is delayed in reaching your destination for any reason. For peace of mind I would also advise on bringing any sentimental items in your hand luggage, too – provided that they are small enough to fit and compliant with the rules.”

Securely wrap anything that is breakable

Anthony says: “Everyone involved in handling your hold baggage at Manchester Airport – from my team at Hold Baggage Screening, to the handling agents loading it onto the aircraft – takes pride in handling our passengers’ belongings with care. It is still sensible, however, to ensure any delicate items are well protected from any bumps. Using bubble wrap, old newspaper, or even just some of the clothes you’re travelling with.”

Always stay with your luggage before checking it in

Anthony says: “If you find yourself waiting to check your hold luggage in, keep an eye on your bags at all times and never leave them unattended as this could spark a security incident.”

Ensure your bag is distinguishable from other similar bags

Anthony says: “Most suitcases are black, navy blue, or grey – and there are hundreds of them coming off each and every flight. We’ve all been there – waiting at the carousel to collect our luggage, confidently swooping in when we see the case we believe is ours, and then realising it isn’t. Attaching a colourful bag tag, sticker or other identifying item can avoid any mishaps and also make it easier to trace your bag in the event it gets lost. Having a photo of your bag helps with that, too.”

Make sure straps are tightly secured

Anthony says: “Before getting to the plane, your hold bag will have to travel some distance on conveyor belts. Our T2 baggage system contains over two miles of conveyor belts – transporting bags from the check-in hall through Hold Baggage Screening to a sortation hall, and then to the aircraft. If a bag gets snagged on a conveyor belt it could break or get stuck, causing delays. To avoid this, make sure all straps are tightly secured, extendable handles are pushed down and old tags are removed.”

The North’s hub airport received a ‘very good’ rating for the services it offers to passengers with restricted mobility and hidden disabilities – an improvement on its ‘good’ rating for 2025.

ABM, which operates the airport’s special assistance services, has been recognised for improvements made to its services over the past 12 months, with the report citing strong performance on waiting times.

The report also highlights the airport’s engagement with its Accessibility Forum – an independently-chaired advisory group comprised of disabled travellers and advocates – along with the quality of the facilities available in Terminal 2, which is coming to the end of its decade-long transformation programme.

ABM has a strong record of helping people who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) into its service teams at the airport, working closely with Trafford and Stockport College group through its Airport Academy, and also through Pure Innovations’ supported internships programme, to extend job opportunities to people from disadvantaged backgrounds in the airport’s neighbouring communities.

The ‘very good’ rating is also a reflection of significant investment made by Manchester Airport in its facilities, with £1.5bn having been spent on the transformation of Terminal 2 over the past decade, and millions now being spent on upgrading Terminal 3 to update its facilities, improve passenger flow and make navigating the terminal a smoother experience.

Ed Kibblewhite, Head of Terminal Services at Manchester Airport, said: “At Manchester Airport we’re proud to serve the people of the North, helping more than 32 million passengers on their travel in the past 12 months – including 700,000 with restricted mobility or other assistance needs.

“We’re delighted with the ‘very good’ rating in the CAA’s latest accessibility report, as it vindicates the investment we’ve made in these services alongside our delivery partner ABM, and shows that these improvements are bearing fruit, with highly positive feedback from passengers. We are not content to stop here and will continue to improve and streamline the assistance services offered, including in Terminal 3, which is in the middle of its biggest upgrade since it opened in the 1980s.”

Kelly Parish, Vice President - Transport and Aviation at ABM, said: "Achieving a 'very good' rating is the result of consistent investment in our people and the collaborative relationship we have had with Manchester Airport over many years. As the UK and Ireland's largest provider of accessible travel services, we're particularly proud that this includes creating real opportunities for people from the airport's neighbouring communities, through our Airport Academy and our work with Pure Innovations. As Terminal 3 changes shape, we'll be right there ensuring assistance services keep pace."

>   Things like scissors, cork screws and toy guns may seem innocent but are not allowed through airport security

>   In just a single morning this month almost 100 items had to be confiscated

Manchester Airport has showcased a selection of items its security officers were forced to confiscate in the space of just one morning as it reminds its passengers of hand luggage rules as the busy school summer holiday period begins.

Among almost 100 items removed from bags in Terminal 2 security in a single morning this month were 24 packs of cosmetic products, seven drinks bottles and seven food items – including two multipacks of yoghurts. Most of these failed to comply with liquid restrictions, requiring anything that can be sprayed, spread or poured at room temperature to be packed in containers with a capacity of under 100ml.

Airport security regulations are set and monitored by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) – and as it stands, a 100ml limit for hand luggage is still in place on liquids at most UK airports, while hubs including Manchester wait for the CAA’s approval to remove these restrictions, following the installation of new 3D scanning technology.

Also removed from bags were 12 pairs of scissors, seven corkscrews, four knives, and six packs of tools – plus two loose chisels and a pair of pliers. In each case, these items broke CAA rules prohibiting sharp objects or blades with a length of more than 6cm (2.3in) in your hand luggage.

10 toy guns or items resembling firearms were confiscated – including a BB gun with two packs of ball bearings, three NERF guns, and household items including a handgun-shaped whisky decanter set. Anything that is designed to look like a firearm, or could be disguised as one, cannot be carried in hand luggage. This includes items like toys – which could be painted or adapted to more closely resemble a real weapon.

A baseball bat and a leg massager were also confiscated – in both cases because of their potential to be used as a weapon.

Passengers travelling during the busy summer period are reminded that attempting to bring non-compliant items through airport security causes delays for themselves and for others. Airport security bosses are encouraging them to reacquaint themselves with the rules for hand luggage before packing for their journey.

"We’re looking forward to welcoming millions of passengers to Manchester Airport this summer. We’re proud of the role we play in getting people’s journeys off to the right start, and more than 97% of our passengers are getting through security checks in under 15 minutes.

“But each time we have to pull a bag aside for a manual search it can take several minutes, and that can quickly start to add up and create delays - not just for the passenger with a non-compliant item in their hand luggage, but also for those waiting behind them in the queue.

“The range of items confiscated here in just a few hours shows what our security officers are up against every day – but when it comes to working out what is restricted and what is not, we know some items are more obvious than others. If you take a moment to reacquaint yourself with the rules before packing your hand luggage, it can save you lots of time when you get to Security – and avoids you losing items like water guns or bottles of suncream that you want to take on your holiday with you.

“In many cases, items like these which may fall foul of hand luggage restrictions can be taken in your hold luggage – so if in any doubt, pack the item in your suitcase rather than your carry-on bag.”

Sakib Mahmood – Security Duty Manager (T2), Manchester Airport

Passengers are encouraged to be alert to items which might contain more than 100ml of liquid. Everyday items from children’s squishy toys to souvenir snow globes could inadvertently break the rule. Liquid medications over 100ml are exempt – provided you have a prescription label clearly displayed – as is breast milk in containers of up to 2L.

Large electrical items no longer have to be removed from your bag, thanks to the new 3D scanning technology now installed in both of Manchester Airport’s terminals. However, items such as belts and watches should be removed and pockets emptied before stepping through the body scanners, to avoid triggering them. These items should be placed inside your hand luggage before you place it into your tray at security. Doing this while you wait in the queue – rather than when you get to the front – can save valuable time.

Items that contain lithium batteries – such as power banks, vapes and tablet computers – may pose a fire risk if faulty so must be packed in your hand luggage, rather than your hold luggage, to allow easy access in the event of an emergency. You cannot fly with more than two power banks per person, and these must not be recharged in flight.

With most schools breaking up for summer on Friday, Manchester Airport is to welcome a record-breaking number of passengers over the next six weeks.

As the UK’s biggest and best-connected airport outside London, Manchester Airport will see more than 5.7m passengers flying in or out between Friday and the end of the holidays on 1 September – or more than120,000 per day.

Those passengers will benefit from the airport’s newly completed Terminal 2 and the ongoing work to improve Terminal 3 following the closure of Terminal 1 – meaning wherever people are travelling to this summer, they will get a better experience than ever at Manchester Airport.

They will get an award-winning experience with Terminal 2 recently scooping the Airport Expansion Award at the NCE Airport Awards to go alongside the UNESCO-backed Prix Versailles for architecture and design.

The summer holidays follow hot on the heels of a record-breaking June. Just more than 3m passengers travelled last month – making it the airport’s busiest June on record.

And they got a good service, with 92% waiting 10 minutes or less to get to security so they could relax in the airport’s departure lounges before their flights.

The completion of the airport’s £1.5bn transformation programme has improved the choice passengers get in its terminals.

In Terminal 2, new retailers including Coach, Reiss, Jo Malone and Tom Ford have joined designer outlets like Chanel in the Boutique Mall area.  The airport-first market hall style eating area the Great Northern Market recently opened along with the airport’s new lounge – The Executive. 

While work to expand Terminal 3 has begun and around 500 new seats have already been added through the new Sporting Chance bar, more details on the plans for further investment are coming soon.

Airport bosses have given a list of top tips and hints aimed to help passengers have a smooth and stress-free trip if they are heading away this summer – and among them is a reminder to plan ahead of they are travelling by public transport with work due to start on the tram network this week.

Jennifer Byrne-Smith, Director of Customer Operations at Manchester Airport, said:

“Here at Manchester Airport we’re proud to connect the North to the world and the summer holidays are like the World Cup to us – it’s the time of year we work towards and prepare for so that we’re match-ready as our passengers arrive.

“Over the last few years we’ve put so much work into improving every part of the passenger journey – from improvements around our car parks and drop off areas, right through the £1.3bn transformation of our state-of-the-art Terminal 2 to the work we’ve done on the airfield that is helping us offer more flights to more destinations than ever before.

“We’re all really excited to share that with passengers due to travel this summer and give them a really great start top their holidays – but we also wanted to take the chance to share a few of our top tips.

“The main one is to make sure you’ve planned your journey to the airport. There’s a bit of work happening on the tram network that could affect you if you were planning to take public transport.

“Apart from that I’d recommend people pack smart – that can save you time, effort and money. If you don’t have to check in a hold bag you can get to security and into the departure lounges in a matter of minutes after arriving at the airport – that’s especially true now thanks to our next generation scanners which mean you no longer have to unpack your electronics and liquids under 100mls.”

Manchester Airport’s top tips for travellers:

Before leaving:

·       Check the weight of your luggage before leaving for the airport. If you only need to bring down the weight of your luggage a little bit, try wearing the heaviest items of clothing in your bag – it may save you paying for extra luggage

·       To prepare your outfit for security, wear shoes that you can take off and put on easily. Avoid fiddly belts or fastenings in your clothes and excess jewellery. Try and keep your pockets empty of non-essentials

·       Temperatures aboard flights can vary so wearing a few removable layers is advised. An extra jumper can always be used as a pillow if nothing else

·       Check your luggage allowance with the airline you are flying with – the sizes vary and you don’t want to be stuck with extra luggage at check-in before your flight

·       Consider using night-before bag drop if it is available for you – your airline’s website should tell you. Many airlines allow passengers to check in hold bags the night before. You’ll be able to park for free while you do it and it beats queues in the morning when check-in is busier

·       Decorate your luggage with something very recognisable like colourful ribbons or stickers so you can easily spot your luggage on the baggage carousel. Alternatively, track your luggage with Bluetooth luggage tags

Travelling to the airport:

·       Plan your journey – remember to check for any roadworks on your route or around the airport, and plan your journey accordingly

·       The most stress-free parking to book is Meet & Greet – drive your car up next to the terminal and drop off your keys, and your car will be waiting for you when you get back

·       To avoid forgetting where you have parked, take a quick picture of your parking spot and the surrounding signs to easily locate it on your return

·       If you struggle with late night or early morning car trips to or from the airport, there are many hotels nearby and on-site, so you’ll be just minutes from each terminal

At the airport:

·       Remember that you no longer have to remove liquids under 100mls or electronics from your bags at security. But you can’t travel with liquids of more than 100mls – that can include unexpected things like children’s ‘squishy’ toys and things like snowglobes as they often contain liquids or gels. The rules say that if something is pourable or spreadable at room temperature you cannot have more than 100mls of it in your hand baggage. If in doubt – put things like squishy toys in hold baggage

·       You’ll also be asked to remove loose outer clothing like jackets and coats and metal items like belts

·       If given the choice of security lanes, pick the left. Most passengers are right handed and will subconsciously prefer the right, making the left a little quieter.

·       If you want to grab a bite to eat but are nervous your meal will take too long to be served, check to see if the restaurant has an express menu. Many airport restaurants have a menu which they will guarantee a fifteen minute maximum preparation time

·       If you have more time and prefer to relax before a flight, the airport offers lounges with unlimited Wi-Fi, a freshly prepared buffet and a complimentary bar

The airport’s £1.3bn improvement programme is wrapping up this year. It means the vast majority of passengers – everyone except for Ryanair passengers – will now use the airport’s state-of-the-art new Terminal 2, which has already won the Prix Versailles for architecture and design.

The full footprint of the new Terminal 2 is now open to the public and the final few retailers and features have been opening over the last few weeks and months. New arrivals in the departure lounge include a Fever Tree bar, the Great Northern Market food hall, a Chanel store and more.

The airport also recently announced that its first Wetherspoon’s pub – to be named the Belle Vue after the historic Manchester stadium – will open in Terminal 2 in September. 

The expansion of Terminal 2 has led to the closure of Terminal 1, the oldest part of the airport. It has also allowed work to start on a project to revamp Terminal 3, adding extra space and facilities – including the new Sporting Chance bar, which opened earlier this year.

Delivered by CAVU, part of Manchester Airports Group (MAG), The Executive has been designed for passengers looking for a more refined start to their journey, combining chef-led dining, premium drinks and Manchester-inspired spaces within one premium lounge experience.

At the heart of the experience is a chef-led dining offer that goes beyond the expected, including what is believed to be the UK's first airport lounge carvery, alongside live cooking, made-to-order dishes, barista coffee, premium drinks and a collection of dining spaces designed to encourage guests to explore.

The Executive by Escape Lounges is now open in Manchester Airport Terminal 2 and can be booked online at https://escapelounges.com/uk/airport-lounges/manchester/terminal-2/executive/. Open to all passengers travelling through Terminal 2, The Executive introduces five distinct areas, each offering a different part of the experience.

Guests can enjoy freshly baked pastries, bakery favourites and grazing options at Leaf & Loaf, lighter dishes and deli-style options at The Humm, and chef-led hot dishes and live cooking at The Loom, where the new carvery experience takes centre stage. For those looking for something more refined, The Boll offers restaurant-style seated dining with table service and a chef-led menu.

The food offer is supported by a selection of local suppliers and producers, helping create a stronger connection to Manchester before guests even leave the city.

These include:

• Cheese sourced from Chorlton Cheesemongers
• Coffee from Manchester-based Ground Effect Coffee Roasters
• Manchester Gin from Spirit of Manchester Distillery
• Beers from Manchester's historic JW Lees Brewery
• Bakery products supplied by Martins Bakery
• Ice cream from Grandpa Greene's in Uppermill

Beyond the food and drink, Manchester has been woven throughout the experience. The lounge features works from local artists, alongside design details inspired by the city's industrial heritage, textile history, innovation and cultural pioneers.

Guests can discover subtle nods to Manchester throughout the space, from bee-inspired details and textile references to artwork installations and carefully selected local stories that create a stronger sense of place.

The experience even ends with a playful final touch. Before heading to their gate, guests can visit The Executive's bespoke "One Last Treat" gumball machine, where tokens reveal locally inspired sweets, surprise rewards and complimentary future experiences.

Sarah Marshall, General Manager at The Executive by Escape Lounges, said:

"We wanted to create something genuinely different. The Executive has been designed to feel special from the moment guests arrive, with hospitality, food and thoughtful details at the centre of the experience.

Dining plays a huge role in how people connect, celebrate and relax before they travel, so we wanted to create a lounge where food and drink are a defining part of the experience rather than simply something that's available. From live cooking and chef-led dishes to local suppliers and seated dining, every element has been carefully considered to create a memorable start to the journey."

Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, said:

"Here at Manchester Airport we're proud to connect the North to the world. Our £1.5bn investment in Terminal 2 has transformed the experience for millions of passengers and The Executive is another exciting addition to that offer.

"Passengers increasingly want choice when they travel, and this new lounge provides something genuinely different. It combines premium hospitality with a distinctive food and drink experience, giving passengers another great way to start their journey."

Passengers can either pre-book online at escapelounges.com or walk up. Prices start from £57.99 per person for the Buffet experience. Seated Dining is priced from £82.99 per person and will open for booking later this year, initially available exclusively to eligible airline guests.

The Level 3 programme, titled ‘Leading with Confidence in Aviation’, was made up of a six-session course covering leadership skills and management strategies, coupled with a written assignment.

Each of the six sessions covered a different facet of management, from looking at different organisation types and how they operate, to how to incorporate corporate values and strategies into day-to-day management. The sessions were held in a seminar style, encouraging discussion and debate between candidates.

A total of 15 learners progressed through the programme, with some students coming from the airport operator MAG and others from various partner organisations including the airport’s special assistance provider ABM, baggage handlers DHL and Swissport, and bar and restaurant operator HMS Host.

The programme was delivered through the Manchester Airport Skills Hub, a partnership between the airport and TSCG to create an industry-led talent pipeline that supports the future of aviation in the North – teaching transferrable skills but also providing students with the sector-specific knowledge and insights that they will need for a successful career in aviation.

Since 2012, nearly 2,000 learners have progressed into paid employment through joint TSCG and MAG programmes geared to entry-level work, while programmes like ‘Leading with Confidence in Aviation’ have helped the airport and its partners promote scores of colleagues from within, helping them boost their own careers while retaining their accumulated knowledge within the industry.

Among the graduates was 24-year-old Adam Doyle from Cheadle Hulme, who initially joined MAG through an apprenticeship programme offered by TSCG. Having got into an aviation career through a Skills Hub course, he was keen to take the next step via the leadership programme.

Adam said: “The course was great because it was interactive, varied, collaborative, and constantly encouraged us to test our boundaries. Learning about different leadership styles helped me better understand how leaders can adapt their approach to suit different situations, teams, and challenges. The course also encouraged self-reflection, allowing me to identify my own strengths and areas for development as a leader.”

“This course has been invaluable to my development. Shortly after completing it, I was promoted to Airfield Operations Lead. In this new role, I have been able to challenge myself further and draw upon the knowledge, skills, and experiences I have gained throughout my professional career at MAG and the course.”

Also graduating was 24-year-old Lauren Dennon from Manchester, an Operations Manager with ABM. She joined the organisation in 2022 as a Terminal Host, booking passengers in at the special assistance reception, before being promoted to a Terminal Supervisor role and then on to her current position.

Lauren said: “It was great to have this opportunity to learn leadership skills – not just management skills – and also to network with other mangers from different companies and department across the airport, learning about how they respond to the challenges they face and exchanging ideas.

“To anyone at the airport who wants to take their next career step, I would say 100% that they should look into Skills Hub courses like this one – and never be afraid to ask questions.”

26-year-old Amelia Snoxell, also from Manchester, started working for MAG two years ago as a Customer Experience Team Leader and has now progressed to Customer Performance Improvement Lead.

Amelia said: “I am always looking for opportunities to develop my skills, increase my knowledge, and build strong connections with people within the airport community, not only for my own professional growth but also to ensure that I add real value to my team and my work.

“This course has given me a fresh perspective on leadership, strengthened my confidence and helped me develop practical skills that I can apply in my role every day. Attending the course with colleagues in different departments has enabled me to create invaluable connections and gain a broader understanding of the wider operation. I now feel better equipped to support my team, drive performance, and contribute positively to the wider business.

“I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is passionate about leadership and wants to make a meaningful impact on their team, their stakeholders, and the organisation.”

The course inspired Amelia to revisit the way in which training is provided in the teams she manages.

She added: “Following these sessions, I started exploring digital training and began to consider how we could further strengthen our current training programme.

“We are currently developing a series of structured, step-by-step videos, supported by audio, visual, and written content to support different learning styles. This approach will go alongside our existing face-to-face training, ensuring our teams are fully equipped to carry out the process effectively. This also will allow our leaders and training teams to spend more time out in the operation, directly supporting colleagues.”

Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, presented graduates with their certificates at a ceremony last week.

He said: “At Manchester Airport we’re proud to serve the people of Greater Manchester and the North, and that doesn’t just mean by flying people to the places they want to travel to – it also means giving local people the chance to access unique employment opportunities and embark on a rewarding career.

“The Skills Hub is a key part of how we achieve that – and as this programme shows, it’s not just about getting people into a role with ourselves or one of our partners, it’s about helping them grow into increasingly senior management positions and retaining emerging talent within the industry. It’s fantastic to see examples of colleagues on this course who started their aviation careers in an entry-level role – through Skills Hub apprenticeships in some cases – and who are now taking steps towards becoming the airport leaders of the future.”

James Scott, CEO, Trafford and Stockport College Group, said:

“As part of the Manchester Airport Skills Hub, TSCG is proud to play a leading role in developing future talent, growing careers and driving business success. Together with our partners, we’re creating opportunities that help individuals thrive and organisations evolve.

“Our Leading with Confidence in Aviation programme is a powerful example of what we can achieve through collaboration—working alongside employers to co-create learning that responds to real business needs and future challenges.

“This partnership is already making a meaningful difference for individuals, businesses and the wider community.”

More than 2.9m passengers flew into or out of Manchester Airport last month – making it the busiest May on record for the Northern hub.

The most popular destinations included traditional half-term favourites like Alicante, Mallorca, and Faro – but football fans caused jumps in traffic to both Istanbul and Budapest.

More than 18,000 people travelled to Istanbul – the venue for Aston Villa’s Europa League final victory – last month and even though Manchester is a long way from North London more than 8,000 people flew to Budapest where Arsenal lost in the Champions League Final.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“We’re proud to connect the North to the world – and a big part of that is making sure people from the region can get to the big global events that matter to them.

“Last month we saw hundreds of football fans following their teams in Europe and we were really happy to be able to play a part in getting them to matches that they will never forget, particularly for Aston Villa fans.

“I’m especially pleased that we were able to give them a really good experience here at the airport too – last month the majority of our passengers waited for five minutes or less to get to security meaning they could relax in our departure lounges and enjoy all we have to offer.”

The airport’s £1.3bn improvement programme is wrapping up this year. It means the vast majority of passengers – everyone except for Ryanair passengers – will now use the airport’s state-of-the-art new Terminal 2, which has already won the Prix Versailles for architecture and design.

The full footprint of the new Terminal 2 is now open to the public and the final few retailers and features have been opening over the last few weeks and months. New arrivals in the departure lounge include a Fever Tree bar, the Great Northern Market food hall, a Chanel store and more.

The airport also recently announced that its first Wetherspoon’s pub – to be named the Belle Vue after the historic Manchester stadium – will open in Terminal 2 in September.  

The expansion of Terminal 2 has led to the closure of Terminal 1, the oldest part of the airport. It has also allowed work to start on a project to revamp Terminal 3, adding extra space and facilities – including the new Sporting Chance bar, which opened earlier this year.

That means over the two weeks that started on Friday, the UK’s global gateway in the North is expecting more than 1.7m passengers to pass through.

And they will be heading to a huge range of destinations – with flight operators expanding their offerings as we enter the holiday season.

Traditional favourites like Alicante, Tenerife and Antalya are set to be popular – but there are some new additions to the 200-plus destinations you can get to from Manchester Airport for this year.

They include Montpellier, in France, and Bari, in Italy, via easyJet; Palermo, in Italy, and Samos and Thassos, in Greece, via Jet2 and Castellon, in Spain, via Ryanair.

Extra destinations are not the only new things at Manchester Airport this summer. As the airport’s £1.3bn transformation programme draws to a close after a decade of work, many new features are coming to fruition for the first time this summer.

Among the main things passengers will notice is a host of new shops and places to eat and drink. They include the new Great Northern Market – a market hall style eating area like Alty Market or Mackie Mayor – and the Fever-Tree bar in Terminal 2 and Sporting Chance which adds hundreds of seats to new space in Terminal 3.

Above and beyond those, a new barrierless system in the Terminal 2 West Multi Storey Car Park which is speeding up visits for people who are picking up passengers there and a new route for domestic arrivals which will open in early April.

Passengers travelling over the next two weeks will also be among the first to see the beginnings of the spectacular new artwork being installed in Terminal 2 – made from parts of the iconic chandeliers that once hung in Terminal 1.

The massive new installation is in the eastern security hall in Terminal 2 and uses 517 of the teardrop shaped pieces of glass from the original 1960s chandeliers which are suspended in the air and decorated with coloured parachutes. The artwork is so big that it will take several weeks just to put it in place.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“The Easter break signals the start of the summer season so it’s always a really exciting time of year – but this year that’s more the case than ever before.

“We’re at the start of a two-week period during which we’ll see almost 2m passengers pass through the airport and many of them will be getting their first look at our brand new, £1.3bn Terminal 2 now that it’s fully open to the public.

“They’ll be able to try out things like our new Great Northern Market and get a sneak peak at our spectacular new artwork that is bringing the iconic chandeliers back to life.

“We’ve also introduced changes to the passenger experience too – we’re opening our new domestic route that means passengers arriving on domestic flights have a dedicated facility in Terminal 2 and we’ve also introduced some new measures to make parking quicker and easier.

“And on top of all that we’ve also got a whole new set of destinations for people to fly to – from the glamour of Montpellier in the south of France to exciting new Greek islands.

“Here at Manchester Airport we’ve always been proud to connect the North to the world – but in 2026 we’re connecting people to more of the world than ever and we’re doing it in style.”

The whole footprint of the new terminal is now open to the public, with just some specific retailers and features left to open. Those include Manchester Airport’s first Wetherspoon’s and high-end retailers like Jo Malone and Chanel that will open in its new Boutique Mall alongside already-open outlets like the Fever-Tree bar.

The investment in Terminal 2 is helping to unlock the full capacity of Manchester’s dual runways and driving the airport’s continued growth, letting it launch new routes like Islamabad with Pakistan International Airlines and Delhi with IndiGo, both of which launched recently.

It has also allowed the airport to migrate all airlines other than Ryanair to the new Terminal with Ryanair alone now operating from Terminal 3 – which is also in the middle of an expansion and improvement programme.

Terminal 3’s new bar Sporting Chance opened  last month adding hundreds of new seats to the terminal and opening up a significant new space. Further improvements will take place over the coming months.

Around 800 pre-arranged face-to-face appointments took place across the course of the day, with a schedule of presentations, workshops and networking events offering businesses further opportunities to connect.

The programme included a workshop on how to successfully secure contracts through effective bidding and tendering, a talk from Manchester City Council on inclusive growth and social value, and Manchester Airport Skills Hub also ran a session looking in-depth at how businesses can futureproof themselves by upskilling their workforce.

More than £25m of deals were struck at last year’s Meet The Buyers event, and this year’s attendees were delighted with the opportunity to explore opportunities with major buyers face-to-face.

Lisa Carrington is Business Development Manager at Spacemann, a company that supplies booths, pods and private working spaces. She said her business was new to the aviation sector and her attendance at the event was part of a fact-finding mission, looking at ways their products could be implemented in an airport setting. She said:

“It’s been really interesting to get some time, one-on-one, with buyers. Mostly I’m here to understand how we get involved in the aviation network, so it’s good to be able to put questions to people who are experts in their field.” 

For Neil Whittingham, a Technical Sales Manager at Liverpool-based Ventilux UK Ltd, this was not his first Meet The Buyers event, having attended two previously.

His company, which supplies emergency lighting products like exit signs and escape route luminaires as well as light testing systems, had already supplied some projects at Manchester Airport and viewed the event as an opportunity to expand its profile in the aviation sector.

Neil explained:

“The event is a great way to continue to develop relationships with existing customers but also try to find new customers, in or around the airport and in the wider region. It’s the best of both worlds in that sense.”

Among the 28 major buyers represented at the event was AmcoGiffen, the Barnsley-headquartered construction firm which has played a key role in Manchester Airport’s £1.3bn transformation of Terminal 2. They met dozens of prospective suppliers across the event. This was their fourth successive year at Meet The Buyers, and Contracts Manager Phil Brown has attended all of them. He said:

“We’ve worked with Manchester Airports Group for many years, and have built a lot of important relationships with North West based businesses through the projects we’ve worked on. This is an event that we keep coming back to because it’s an invaluable networking opportunity.”

AmcoGiffen’s Procurement Manager Joe Jagger added:

“Some of our work is quite niche and specialist, so a face-to-face conversation with potential suppliers gives us the chance to get into the detail of what we need and gives them the chance to put forward their offering and we can see if we’re missing something.”

Marcella M’Rabety, Head of Social Sustainability at Manchester Airport, said:

“We take pride in our role in connecting people across the North with the places they want to fly to, but we also take our responsibilities very seriously as a major employer and economic driver in the region. The airport directly employs more than 3,400 people and indirectly supports almost 20,000 jobs – adding billions of pounds in value to the regional economy in partnership with the businesses that operate on our site, ranging from hotels and restaurants to airlines and aviation service companies.

“Our position at the heart of all that makes us uniquely placed to run an event such as Meet The Buyers, where we are able to give SMEs in our region the chance to meet with procurement teams at some of the biggest names in our industry and explore the opportunities available to work together, to the benefit of the wider North.”

Aviation Minister Keir Mather today met some of the 300 apprentices to have started their career on Manchester Airport’s historic transformation programme.

The £1.3bn investment has delivered an award-winning, state-of-the-art terminal that has set the UK’s global gateway in the North up to further increase its impact on the regional and national economy.

As well as delivering wide-ranging benefits to passengers, those working at the airport and businesses using it to trade globally, the transformation will leave a significant social and economic legacy.

That includes through the jobs it has created, especially for young people in the North who have taken their first step on the career ladder and gone on to work on other major projects across the region.

That was the focus of the Minister’s visit, as he checked out Manchester’s new Terminal 2 and met apprentices at different stages of their training, all of whom working on the project at some point.

Chloe O’Neill became the 300^th person to complete an apprenticeship through the programme and land a permanent job, marking a major milestone in terms of making sure the benefits of MAG’s investment are felt for years to come.

Minister Mather met Sam McCarthy and Rebecca Proctor who have recently completed apprenticeships as part of the programme .

He also met Ciaran Roche who started out his career as an apprentice on the first phase of the transformation programme almost a decade ago and has gone on to become a research and development expenditure credit coordinator for Laing O’Rourke.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

 “Our brand-new, £1.3bn Terminal 2 is a world-leading piece of infrastructure that means we can proudly connect the people of the North to a route network of more than 200 destinations from a setting that rivals any airport terminal in Europe and beyond.

“But throughout its construction we’ve prioritised making sure that the impact of our investment goes far beyond elevating people’s experiences right here at the airport and provides real, tangible benefits for people in the region.

“A key part of that is providing real, sustainable work and training opportunities to young people through apprenticeships. When you speak directly to some of the apprentices who have worked on our transformation, it really brings home how MAG's investment in infrastructure here in the North has lasting impact on individuals and the economy as a whole.”

Over the course of the transformation programme apprentices have been employed directly through the airport and through contractors engaged in the programme. Over 8,000 apprenticeship weeks have been delivered.

The airport has also provided 714 work experience days, 12 undergraduate placements and opened its AeroZone education facility, providing opportunities for over 13,000 students.

Former MAG apprentice Chloe O’Neill said:

"My apprenticeship was an amazing experience and I wouldn't be here, working as a qualified quantity surveyor without it

“Having the chance to do work on a historic billion-pound investment programme isn't an opportunity I'd have had through other routes and it just shows the value and benefit of apprenticeships like this.

“It was a real honour to think that my work has helped build something as brilliant as Terminal 2 ." 

During his visit to the airport, Minister Mather also took in a full tour of the brand-new terminal, met teams from Virgin Atlantic and went out onto the airfield.

The whole footprint of the new terminal is now open to the public, with just some specific retailers and features left to open. Those include Manchester Airport’s first Wetherspoon’s and high-end retailers like Jo Malone and Chanel that will open in its new Boutique Mall alongside already-open outlets like the Fever-Tree bar.

Beyond the departure lounge, new branches of WHSmith, Costa and Gregg’s opened in the arrivals area of Terminal 2.

The investment in Terminal 2 is helping to unlock the full capacity of Manchester’s dual runways and driving the airport’s continued growth, letting it launch new routes like Islamabad with Pakistan International Airlines and Delhi with IndiGo, both of which launched in recent months.

It has also allowed the airport to migrate all airlines other than Ryanair to the new Terminal with Ryanair alone now operating from Terminal 3 – which is also in the middle of an expansion and improvement programme.

Terminal 3’s new bar Sporting Chance opened this week adding hundreds of new seats to the terminal and opening up a significant new space. Further improvements will take place over the coming months.

Ends

Apprentice case studies:

Sam McCarthy, Airfield Planning Assistant, MAG

Sam joined MAG as an Airport Operations Apprentice. He was on the apprenticeship scheme for 21 months and has now secured a permanent role as Airfield Planning Assistant (he is completing his course alongside his current role for the next three months).

During his apprenticeship, he gained hands-on experience across a wide range of critical operational areas, building a strong knowledge in both landside and airside operations. He worked in the following areas: Landside Ops, Resilience Team, Security and Airfield Operations

During his time with Airfield Operations, part of my responsibilities were to provide safety oversight and escorts to contractors working as part of the MAN-TP project.

Partner collage: Trafford & Stockport College Group (TSCG)

Sam is from Stockport.

Rebecca Proctor, Cost Manager, Turner & Townsend

Becca is a Trainee Cost Manager for Turner & Townsend, one of our MAN-TP suppliers.

Becca was an apprentice for 18 months and began working on MAN-TP in August 2025, mainly at a programme level reporting across all MAN-TP projects/packages supporting senior members of the team and the client with Final Account Statements and Contract Closure Forms.

Becca is from Garstang, Lancashire.

Chloe O’Neill, Quantity Surveyor Apprentice MAG

Chloe is a 3rd year degree apprentice quantity surveyor in MAG currently working on stand capacity and major airfields programme.

Her apprenticeship involves one day a week at Salford University for her quantity surveying degree and she is due to complete this in the year 2028.

When Chloe started her degree she worked on MAN-TP for about a year and a half with a team of surveyors. She helped draft and finalise contracts, process payments and went on many site visits.

Alexander Stott, Apprentice Project Engineer, NG Bailey Engineering

Alex Stott is a 2nd year apprentice project engineer for NG Bailey. Alex joined the NG Bailey apprenticeship scheme in August 2024, and has been working on the Manchester Terminal 2 project since February 2025.

Alex works as part of the quality team and is mainly focused on the job of asset tagging, as well as various other jobs to support NG Bailey in the final stages of MAN-TP.

Alex lives in Altrincham.

Elektra Politis - Laing O’Rourke MAN-TP phase one

Elektra started working with us on MAN-TP in the first phase of the project almost 10 years ago as a business administration apprentice. After time working at the airport she went to Merseyside to be part of the team delivering the new stadium for Everton and she is now a senior health and safety manager at one of our major science projects in Oxford.

She is now in a well-respected role on one of Laing O’Rourke’s largest projects – The Ellison Institute for Technology. Her experience has taken her from being part of a team delivering a major infrastructure project, to a high-profile sporting project and now within science & research.

Ciaran Roche – Laing O’Rourke MAN-TP phase one

Ciaran Roche has been with Laing O’Rourke since September 2018, when he joined as an Assistant Document Controller on the MAN‑TP project. He later progressed to the role of Document Controller and has worked as an R&D Expenditure Credit Coordinator since August 2024.

Manchester Airport’s ongoing project to expand and enhance Terminal 3 has taken a huge step forward with the opening of a new space including a 470-seat sports bar.

The new bar, Sporting Chance, has opened in a section of Terminal 3 that was previously occupied by private lounges and a viewing area. 

Sporting Chance features 69 television screens that will show a wide range of sporting events – including some screens in booths that can be controlled by guests – a huge food menu and panoramic views of the airfield from one of the airport’s best vantage points.

The development is part of a programme of improvement to Terminal 3, which has been enabled by the airport’s £1.3bn investment into Terminal 2, which has seen it double in size and become the beating heart of the airport.

The wider project has allowed for Terminal 1 – the airport’s oldest section – to close because Terminal 2 can now cater for around 75% of the airport’s overall traffic.

It leaves just Ryanair operating from Terminal 3 – and as terminals 1 and 3 are linked it means Terminal 3 can expand into space that was previously part of Terminal 1.

The opening of Sporting Chance is just one part of the work to improve Terminal 3. A new entrance and security hall that makes use of space from Terminal 1 has already opened and further new spaces and facilities will open in due course.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“Here at Manchester Airport we’re proud to connect the North to the world with a route network of more than 200 destinations through upwards of 50 airlines. It means we have something for everyone in terms of where you can go – but that’s matched by what we offer right here at the airport.

“We’ve talked a lot about our £1.3bn investment in Terminal 2 but a key thing that has enabled is our work to improve Terminal 3 – and the opening of Sporting Chance is a huge step forward in that project.

“Sporting Chance is a fantastic new bar – perfect for watching your favourite team before your flight, eating a great meal or just enjoying a spectacular view – but it’s also in a whole new area for most passengers adding more seats and space to the terminal.

“It means even passengers who don’t use the bar will be able to enjoy the extra space and capacity in the Terminal. I’m looking forward to sampling the bar myself and hearing people’s feedback.”

Beth Brewster, Senior Coordinating Director F&B & Essentials UK, Avolta said:

“Sporting Chance represents a further evolution of Avolta’s UK F&B portfolio and responds to continued passenger demand for premium hospitality spaces and access to live sport while travelling.

“The ability to integrate brand activation and retail selling within the bar environment is an important step in bringing retail and F&B closer together. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our colleagues at MAG for their valued partnership and support.  Together we have delivered a space that combines operational excellence with an engaging, all-day offer.”

The opening of Sporting Chance means another bar, the Lion and Antelope, will close. The Lion and Antelope occupies a central space in the terminal so its closure will open up more capacity for passengers.

Richard Jackson, retail director at Manchester Airport, said:

 “Everything we’re doing in Terminal 3 is focused on improving the passenger experience – our new bar, Sporting Chance, will be a great addition to the terminal and will provide more than 200 extra seats.

“But that doesn’t mean we’re not really sad to see last orders the Lion and Antelope. It’s been here since 2015 and I know that it’s got a special place in a lot of people’s hearts; it’s been the starting point for people’s first holidays, a place for newlyweds to raise a toast before they go on honeymoon, it’s where business travellers have relaxed ahead of long trips and much more.

“So people can feel assured that we know how special it is – and we wouldn’t be closing it if we didn’t know that what we’re putting in its place will be brilliant.”

Manchester Airport is nearing the end of its decade-long programme to reshape Terminal 2 into the ultra-modern, beating heart of the airport. An extension, which increased the terminal’s footprint by 150%, opened in 2021; the original terminal building was then closed and has been given a complete overhaul to bring it up to the same aesthetic and functional standards as the extension.

More than three quarters of the airport’s passengers are now using the new T2 facilities. The final touches to the new-look Terminal 2 are expected to be complete in time for the summer.

-         Terminal 3 has expanded after closure of Terminal 1 and final signs changed last week, meaning Manchester is now a two-terminal airport

-         Shift makes for a simpler experience at the airport with Ryanair now the only airline operating out of Terminal 3 and every other airline using the brand new, £1.3bn Terminal 2

-         It sets the UK’s third biggest airport up to continue its growth over the coming years, with last month having been its busiest February on record

The one-off episode of ‘Manchester: Your Airport, MAN’ was recorded in front of a live audience at the airport’s inaugural Aviation Careers Festival last week, with hundreds of secondary school and college age pupils in attendance – and is being released today in audio and video format to mark International Women’s Day on Sunday 8 March.

Compered by former BBC Radio 6 Music, Key 103 and Rock FM host Hywel Evans, the episode takes on a Q&A format – with pupils in the audience putting their questions to the panel. The women offering their career tips and insights were;

• Melanie Lawley, Manchester Airport’s Head of Airfield Operations. Melanie joined Manchester Airport in April 2025 and works within the Aerodrome team, with overall responsibility for Airfield Operations, Airfield Control and Airside Bussing teams. Her role covers the management of runways, aircraft movements and day to day airside operations.
•  
• Kate Wild - Air Traffic Controller. Kate has worked for air traffic control operator NATS for 19 years, starting her career at Manchester Airport straight out of the training college, with 3.5 of those years spent working in the Middle East. On a day-to-day basis, she works as a Tower and Approach Controller while also managing the operational ATC team on shift.
•  
• Lauren Wigglesworth - Pilot. Lauren is a Captain at Virgin Atlantic, having joined the airline in 2016. She began her Virgin Atlantic career flying the iconic Boeing 747, before moving onto the Airbus A330 fleet in 2021. Over the past few months, Lauren has successfully completed her command course and officially took up her role as Captain on 2 January. Alongside her flying career, she is also a mum to a five-year-old child, proudly showing that it’s possible to build a successful aviation career while raising a family.
•  
• Laura Moskal-Beresford - Cabin Crew. Laura has been at Virgin Atlantic for 15 years and has taken on a number of roles beyond flying, including volunteering with the Flying Without Fear team, supporting guests with severe anxiety about flying. She has also collaborated with British makeup brand Illamasqua on the launch of the ‘Virgin’ lipstick in 2014, created to coincide with the airline’s Vivienne Westwood uniform launch.
•  
• Abi Owen-Hodgson – Apprentice Aircraft Engineer. While many of her friends are away at university, 18-year-old Abi, from Liverpool, is already earning, learning and building a career in the aviation sector. Having joined easyJet’s Aeronautical Engineering Apprenticeship scheme last year, Abi is now part of a team of 20 apprentices learning their trade over the course of a two-year programme.

A huge range of questions was put to the panel, from how to get into an aviation career, to how an Air Traffic Controller would handle an unidentified aircraft, and which airports are the flight crews’ favourites to fly into.

There was also plenty of discussion on efforts being made to address gender imbalances in an industry that has historically had ingrained gender stereotypes – only around five per cent of commercial pilots are women, for example – but all of the panellists affirmed that they had noticed positive changes.

Lauren said: “I think if you said ‘airline captain’, you’re probably not visualising me, so I think I definitely do surprise people. But I’ve been flying for 20 years, I’ve flown six different aeroplane types, I have the experience, and I have the knowledge. One of the reasons it’s very important for me to be here today is, you can’t be what you can’t see, and today I hope we’re proving that you can be what you want to be.”

Melanie added: “To be fair, there are women [employed] in most aspects of an airport – but Airfield Operations does tend to be very male-dominated, and I have been, and still can be the only female in a room at times. But I wouldn’t let that put anyone off – no-one’s looking at me [saying], ‘oh, she’s a woman’. If you’ve got the knowledge and the skills and the experience to be able to contribute to the discussions that are going on, that is the most important thing – not what you look like.”

And apprentice engineer Abi said: “You don’t see too many girls but there are definitely more coming into the industry, which is nice to see – it shouldn’t be one gender, it should be a bit of a mix. I do have people ask me sometimes, ‘what made you get into this?’, but I don’t get treated any differently.”

The Manchester: Your Airport, MAN podcast launched in 2023 and has now been running for four series, building a listener audience of more than 10,000 and covering topics from holiday trends and new routes to the airport’s T2 expansion and community outreach. You can listen on Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts among other platforms, and the one-off special International Women’s Day episode is also available to watch in video format on YouTube.

Manchester Airport recorded its busiest January yet last month – and at the same time set a record for how quickly passengers were able to get to security.

Over the course of the month more than 2m passengers used the UK’s global gateway in the North – and 91% of them waited for five minutes or less to get to security.

Waiting times at security have steadily reduced in recent years due to a number of factors including staffing levels, training and new ways of working.

The airport also now has new scanners in place in all security lanes meaning passengers no longer have to remove electronics or liquids from their bags, speeding up the process.

The most popular destinations during January were Dublin, Dubai, Amsterdam Paris and Qatar.

The majority of the airport’s passengers – everyone except Ryanair passengers - are now using the new, £1.3bn Terminal 2 – which is now almost fully open after a decade-long transformation programme.

Ryanair passengers are using a hybrid model using parts of Terminal 1 and 3. The hybrid model will remain in place until the Spring while parts of Terminal 1 are repurposed to become part of Terminal 3, as the buildings are linked.

At that point Terminal 1 will fully close – but work will continue to expand and improve Terminal 3 with a new sports bar – Sporting Chance – opening in the coming weeks and adding over 400 seats to the terminal.

Chief Airport and Asset Development Officer Ian Costigan said:

“Here at Manchester Airport we’re proud to connect the North to the world – so we’re obviously really pleased that more passengers than ever before are choosing to fly from the UK’s global gateway in the North.

“But what’s really important is that we’re also giving them a better service than ever – and with nine out of 10 of passengers in January getting to security in five minutes or less, that really is the case.

“In fact, 99.9% of our passengers for the whole month made it to security in under 15 minutes which shows that all the improvements we’ve made through our £1.3bn investment aren’t just skin deep and are making a real difference to people’s journeys.”

“And we aren’t finished with our improvements yet. The transformation of Terminal 2 may be almost complete – with just a few finishing touches and new retailers to come – but now we’re really picking up the work in Terminal 3 so Ryanair passengers will start to notice real differences soon.

“It’s certainly shaping up to be another epic year for Manchester Airport and I’m looking forward to more passengers getting to experience everything we’re doing here.”

The airport is gearing up for a busy period with the first school holiday of the year starting on Friday. Almost 1m passengers are expected to fly in or out between this Friday and the following Sunday.

Manchester Airport is nearing the end of its decade-long programme to reshape Terminal 2 into the ultra-modern, beating heart of the airport. An extension, which increased the terminal’s footprint by 150%, opened in 2021; the original terminal building was then closed and has been given a complete overhaul to bring it up to the same aesthetic and functional standards as the extension.

More than three quarters of the airport’s passengers are now using the new T2 facilities. The final touches to the new-look Terminal 2 are expected to be complete in time for the summer.

With almost 1m passengers due to travel over the half-term break, Manchester Airport has handed out some top tips to help travellers enjoy a smooth getaway.

Many schools break up on Friday, 13 February – with more than 50,000 passengers expected to jet off any of more than 200 destinations with direct connections to Manchester Airport on that day alone.

It is the first big getaway of the year and will see the UK’s global gateway in the North record its busiest days since the Christmas holidays.

Passengers can expect an excellent experience at the airport – with the majority of flights now leaving from its brand-new, £1.3bn Terminal 2, which has been under construction since 2015 and is now almost fully complete.

With new scanning technology in place in all security lanes, 91% of January’s passengers waited for five minutes or less to get to security – meaning those without hold baggage could be relaxing in the departure lounge within minutes of arriving at the airport.

While the airport’s investment will help make sure passengers continue to benefit from a seamless experience, there are things people due to travel can do for themselves to make their trips quicker and more straightforward – so the airport has shared some handy tips.

Manchester Airport customer experience director Jennifer Byrne-Smith said:

“Here at Manchester Airport we’re proud to connect the people of the North to the world – and we’re really looking forward to welcoming passengers as they head away over the first school holiday of the year.

“We’ve invested heavily in Manchester Airport and lots of people will be seeing the benefits of that for the first time as they use our brand-new Terminal 2 – and those flying from Terminal 3 will see that we’re investing there too.

“But there are definitely some things that passengers can do themselves to make things go even more smoothly – so we’ve shared some of our expert hints and tips. My personal favourite is using night-before bag drop services here – that’s a real game changer if you live nearby.

“The main thing is just planning ahead. Be smart with your packing, make sure you have all your documents, know what you can bring and what you can’t and plan your journey here – there will be significant rail disruption over half term so bear that in mind.”

Manchester Airport’s top travel tips:

Before you travel

-          Make sure you’ve planned your journey to the airport. If you’re driving remember to book parking ahead of time for the best deals and if you’re planning to come by train be aware that no services will run between Manchester Piccadilly and the airport over half term due to planned work by Network Rail. You can find out more here: https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/manchester-piccadilly-set-for-once-in-a-generation-upgrade

-          Check which terminal you’re due to fly from. If you’re flying with any airline apart from Ryanair you’ll be using Terminal 2. If you’re flying with Ryanair follow signs to Ryanair departures which is a hybrid model using parts of Terminals 1 and 3 as they are the same building

-          Pack smart. If you’re able, travelling with just hand baggage can save you time and money. Simple things like rolling your clothes up to fit them into a smaller bag and not taking bulky items can make the difference between needing hold baggage and not needing it – but make sure you check your airline’s hand baggage rules because they vary significantly

-          If you are travelling with hold baggage and you live locally or are staying near the airport the night before your flight, look into whether your airline offers the option to check in your bags the night before your flight. Several airlines let you come to the airport the evening before where you’ll be able to park for free and check your bags in at a time when there will be no queues. It means when you arrive for your flight the next day you’ll be able to head straight to security

-          If you’re being dropped off at the airport, take advantage of our free drop-off area based at JetParks 1 just a short distance from Terminal 2. It’s served by regular shuttle buses that take to you all the terminals in just a few minutes

-          If you want to be dropped off right on the terminal forecourts it costs £5 for five minutes – cheaper than comparably sized airports around the country – or £6.40 for 10 minutes. Payment must be made online or over the phone by midnight the day after your visit. The removal of barriers in our drop-off areas means people can get out more quickly ensuring they don’t inadvertently end up paying for longer than they need

-          Manchester Airport offers lots of service that can help you level up your experience. You can book services like Security FastTrack and TimeSlot, which allow you to avoid queues at security, and Passport control FastTrack, which lets you use a special lane on your return to the UK – find out more here

-          You can also book a spot in one of our lounges or if you want a really luxury experience you can book to fly form our premium terminal Aether. Aether is available to all passengers flying into or out of Manchester Airport

-          If you have any kind of special needs or disability you can book assistance ahead of your trip to the airport – this is usually done through your airline. If you’ve booked assistance you can proceed to the Assisted Travel Reception in your terminal – they are clearly signed – or you’ll find assistance call points in all our car parks

-          You can tailor the level of assistance you need through our teams at the airport or ahead of your trip

-          If you need assistance but haven’t booked we will still have staff available to help you if you report to the Assisted Travel Reception in your terminal

At the airport

-          Aim to arrive at the airport in line with your airline’s advice – this is usually two hours ahead of a short-haul flight or three hours ahead of a long-haul flight

-          Prepare for security. We have new scanners in place in all security lanes which means you no longer have to take liquids or electronics out of your bags – although in line with Government guidance you can’t travel with liquids in containers of greater than 100mls (with exceptions for things like breast milk and baby formula)

-          You will still have to remove things like keys, wallets and phones from your pockets and take off outer layers like coats and jackets

-          Once you’re through security you’ll have plenty of time to relax in whichever terminal you’re flying from. There are food and drink options to suit all tastes and budgets; from sandwich meal-deals right up to fine dining and everything in between – you could even bring a picnic and take advantage of our free water points

-          We have information kiosks dotted around the terminals to help with wayfinding – they can even link to your phone to help direct you to where you want to go

-          Remember that your gate could be up to 10-15 minutes’ walk from parts of the departure lounge so make sure you allow time to make your way there. Moving walkways are in place to make the walk easier  

Manchester Airport is nearing the end of its decade-long programme to reshape Terminal 2 into the ultra-modern, beating heart of the airport. An extension, which increased the terminal’s footprint by 150%, opened in 2021; the original terminal building was then closed and has been given a complete overhaul to bring it up to the same aesthetic and functional standards as the extension.

More than three quarters of the airport’s passengers are now using the new T2 facilities. The final touches to the new-look Terminal 2 are expected to be complete in time for the summer.

The Flight Academy, which has been a regular fixture during school holidays for more than a decade, gives youngsters the chance to learn about the different job roles that help keep Manchester Airport in operation, from check-in agents to flight crew and the airfield team.

During the 90-minute sessions, which will run each day from Monday 16^th – Friday 20^th February, those taking part will also sit in the captain’s chair on a retired DC10 airliner and get a taste for what it would be like to fly a commercial aircraft.

They then head outside to have a look at Manchester Airport’s runways, watch planes taking off and landing and see some of the various jobs that they’ve learnt about in action.

Separate sessions will run for children in the 4-7 and 8-12 age ranges, with the younger group starting at 10:30 and the older children’s sessions getting underway at 12:30 on each day the Flight Academy is running.

Tickets cost £14 for one accompanying child and one adult and also entitle participants to a full day’s parking at the reduced rate of £6. There are a multitude of other attractions at the RVP for visitors to enjoy, including an observation deck with sweeping runway views, a number of retired aircraft open for tours – including the iconic Concorde – and an immersive 360-degree Flight Simulator, plus an on-site café and outdoor play area.

Paul Emblow, manager of the Runway Visitor Park, said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming more young people to experience our Flight Academy programme this February Half Term. Hundreds of children have already taken part since we launched the programme and it remains hugely popular.

“The Runway Visitor Park is one of the most unique visitor attractions in the North West, with plenty to see and do. If you’re looking for a fun-filled family day out, please do pay us a visit.”

Other events upcoming at the RVP include a black tie dinner in the Concorde hangar to celebrate 50 years since the aircraft was delivered to British Airways. It begins with a sparkling drinks reception, accompanied by the soaring vocals of soprano singer Gemma Ashley, and will be followed by a four-course, Concorde inspired meal with coffee, served under the aircraft’s wings. Special guest speakers will include former Concorde cabin crew and a former Captain. Tickets for the event on Friday 13th February start at £120pp.

For more information visit www.runwayvisitorpark.co.uk.

The Government’s plans for Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) have been backed to maximise the impact Manchester Airport's connectivity and investment has on the regional economy.

Plans unveiled by the Treasury have confirmed a new station will be delivered at Manchester Airport as part of NPR. The high speed rail network is being placed at the heart of a strategy to drive growth in the North.

The station at Manchester Airport will help unlock the full potential of its existing two runways, stimulating jobs, trade, investment and tourism in all parts of the North. It will enhance the positive impact delivered through MAG's £1.3bn Transformation Programme, which will conclude this year. 

Ken O'Toole, MAG CEO, said: 

"This is a welcome and long overdue step towards the creation of a highly productive and internationally competitive Northern growth corridor.

"By placing Manchester Airport at the heart of a full Northern Powerhouse Rail Network, people and businesses across the region will have the direct access they deserve to the world. 

"That will help high-value industries to thrive and attract investors and visitors to all parts of the North - maximising the region's contribution to national growth.

"The project will deliver the public investment needed to ensure the north benefits fully from MAG's £1.3bn transformation of Manchester Airport. It will unlock the full capacity of Manchester's existing two full-length runways - capacity that is available now.

"That is why we look forward to working with Government and regional partners on ways to deliver NPR at the earliest possible opportunity."

Almost 2.4m passengers flew through Manchester Airport last month – setting a new record and meaning the hub recorded 32m passengers in a year for the first time.

In total 32,088,626 passengers flew into or out of Manchester Airport in 2025 – up 4% on 2024 and cementing Manchester Airport’s place as the third biggest in the UK, behind only Heathrow and Gatwick.

The vast majority of those passengers flew from the airport’s brand-new, £1.3bn Terminal 2, which is now almost fully complete meaning December’s passengers were the first to experience several key new elements.

Last month saw the opening of the full footprint of the new terminal – that included opening a whole new route from security through a new, second World Duty Free store and into the airport’s new Boutique Mall – which will be home to high-end shops, a cocktail bar and more.

It opened up a significant amount of new space in the Departure Lounge and a huge new section of the terminal’s arrivals area.

It helped make sure the month’s passengers got a great experience at the airport – with 94% waiting for 10 minutes or less to get to security, and almost three quarters waiting five minutes or less.

The month was boosted by the airport’s busiest ever Christmas break – with over a million passengers flying between December 19, when most schools broke up, and the end of the month.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“Here at Manchester Airport, we’re proud to connect the North to the world - so the fact we were able to serve a record-breaking 32m passengers in 2025 is great news.

“But it’s not just about numbers – it’s about giving those passengers the best possible experience so they can start their holidays right here at the airport.

“That’s why I’m particularly proud that we were able to provide a brilliant service to our passengers with the vast majority of them barely waiting to get to security so they could be relaxing in our departure lounges more quickly.

“Once there, passengers in Terminal 2 will have noticed some big differences. The full footprint of the Terminal is now open including extra space as well as new shops and eateries. There’s still more to follow in the early part of this year too.

“That alone means it would be an exciting 2026 as we put those final touches on Terminal 2 – but we’re also going to be really getting stuck into the improvement work we’re doing in Terminal 3 as well, which will bring more space and new shops, bars and restaurants.

“We’ve got another epic year ahead and I’m looking forward to breaking more records so we can welcome even more passengers to the UK’s global gateway in the North.”

Now that the whole footprint of the new departure lounge is open to the public, there are just some specific retailers and features left to open. Those include the Great Northern Market – an airport-first market hall style eating area served by pop up street food kitchens – and Manchester Airport’s first Wetherspoon’s. These will open in the early part of 2026.

The Boutique Mall will be the airport’s high-end shopping area when shops including an airport-first Chanel store, Le Labo and Jo Malone open in the next few weeks.

The early part of the year will also see the installation of an artwork based on and using parts of the iconic chandeliers that hung in Terminal 1 when it opened to the public in the 1960s. The reimagined chandelier artwork will be in Security East.

Beyond the departure lounge, new branches of WHSmith, Costa and Gregg’s opened in the arrivals area of Terminal 2 – with Gregg’s handing out free sausage rolls to the first customers.

The investment in Terminal 2 is helping to unlock the full capacity of Manchester’s dual runways and driving the airport’s continued growth, letting it launch new routes like Islamabad with Pakistan International Airlines and Delhi with IndiGo, both of which launched in recent months.

It has also allowed the airport to migrate all airlines other than Ryanair to the new Terminal with Ryanair alone now operating from Terminal 3 – but using a new improved route into the terminal via Terminal 1 check-in.

Manchester Airport recently announced further details of its multi-million-pound plans to improve Terminal 3 by expanding it to make use of space that will be available when Terminal 1 closes. Some new parts of Terminal 3 will open early next year, including new sports bar Sporting Chance.

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!

Between them, Dublin, Amsterdam, Tenerife, Mallorca and Alicante account for almost 15% of the airport’s total passenger numbers – but panellists speaking to the airport’s official podcast, Manchester: Your Airport, MAN, were keen to emphasise that doesn’t mean that you can’t find hidden gems – or hidden pitfalls – in these destinations.

Andy Ziardis, Head of Consular Prevention and Engagement at the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), shared his top tips for travellers - and highlighted a common mistake that costs tourists hundreds of thousands of pounds each year.

He said: “Do your research on where you’re going [and] make sure you’ve got appropriate travel insurance and medical insurance.

“In some of these places, you might want to do adventure sports, or water sports, so make sure your insurance policies are covering that – and if you’ve got a medical condition, declare it.

“People think they are protected by the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) if they’re travelling short-haul. You’ll get access to primary care, but [with] anything else – if you need surgery for example – you’ll need your insurance to cover it.

“We see so many times when people come and ask us for support overseas, it’s because for whatever reason, they don’t have insurance, or it’s not the right type. [In some places] it can cost hundreds of thousands of pounds, even if you just need an operation on a broken leg.”

Richard Slater, CEO of Henbury Travel and North West Chair for ABTA, and travel writer Daniel Ross joined Andy on the panel.

Reflecting on the top destinations, Richard said: “Dublin is one of those cities that has never gone out of style. You can be there in less than an hour and it’s got a great mixture of history, culture and fun, but it’s never overwhelming. It’s very walkable and very compact.

“Amsterdam is very scenic architecturally, there’s some culture, again – like the Van Gogh Museum – and it’s another quick destination, you can be there in just over an hour, jump on a train at the airport and be in the city centre in about 15 minutes.”

Daniel added: “There are some phenomenal places off the beaten track in Mallorca that you should check out while you’re there. Last time I was there I went to a little town called Santos, right in the middle of the island – I was en route to the beach. It’s not on the tourist trail whatsoever but it’s a little market town with so much culture [and] you feel like you have been dropped into a moment in time. That’s the kind of thing Mallorca still does have if you want to look for it.”

You can listen to Manchester: Your Airport, MAN on Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts among other platforms. The latest episode featuring Andy, Daniel and Richard, titled Where’s Hot and Where’s Not, is published today.

Almost 2.9m passengers used Manchester Airport last month, just more than 2% up on October 2024.

It means Manchester Airport has broken monthly records for each of the last 24 months.

In 2023, Manchester Airport went back above pre-pandemic passenger levels for the first time when it recorded its busiest October since 2019 – in the process beating the previous October record.

Last month was boosted by a bumper half-term getaway with more than 114,000 passengers flying into or out of the UK’s global gateway in the North on Friday, October 24 – making it Manchester Airport’s busiest day since the summer holidays.

The month’s most popular destinations reflected passengers’ desire for some autumn sun – with Dubai taking the top spot thanks to its own great weather and attractions as well as its onward connectivity to destinations in Asia. Mediterranean hotspots Antalya and Alicante also featured in the top five along with Amsterdam and Dublin.

During the month, passengers at Manchester Airport received a great service – with 80% wating for less than five minutes to get to security and 99% waiting less than 15 minutes. 

The bumper month comes as the airport puts the finishing touches on its decade-long, £1.3bn transformation programme, which has seen Terminal 2 completely redeveloped into a brand-new super-terminal.

It will soon cater for around 75% of the airport’s passengers with all airlines except Ryanair moving from their homes in Terminals 1 and 3 and into the new Terminal. Most airlines have already moved with just a few to follow over the coming weeks.

It means the majority of October’s passengers benefitted from the state-of-the art new facilities in Terminal 2, which has already been awarded the prestigious Prix Versailles for architecture and design.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“Here at Manchester Airport we are proud to connect the North to the world. Nothing brings that home more than seeing the airport full of excited people heading away on holiday so the busy half-term was great.

“It was particularly good to have so many people going through our amazing new Terminal 2, which is getting really close to being completely finished. The feedback we’ve had from passengers who have used it has been amazing.

“The fact that we’ve now seen two full years of monthly passenger records is in no small part down to the success of the £1.3bn we’ve invested in Terminal 2 and the wider operation. It’s not only helping us deliver great customer experience, but also unlocking our full capacity.

“It’s helped us attract airlines like Hainan, IndiGo, Juneyao and Pakistan International Airlines as well as helping airlines that already operated here grow their networks from Manchester – which means we’re better able to connect people to the places they want to go.

“So I’m looking forward to breaking more records and seeing more passengers excitedly arriving in Manchester Airport in the months and years ahead.”

The investment in Terminal 2 is helping to unlock the full capacity of Manchester’s dual runways and driving the airport’s continued growth, letting it launch new routes like Islamabad with Pakistan International Airlines, which started last month, and Delhi with IndiGo, which begins on Saturday.

Further parts of the terminal will be opening over the coming months including the Great Northern Market – a market hall style food area featuring pop-up street food vendors – the airport’s first Wetherspoons pub, new shops and bars including Fever Tree and Chanel and a new pier that will allow more flights to depart from the Terminal.

That means some airlines currently based in Terminals 1 and 3 will move over to Terminal 2, as many have already. If you are due to travel your airline will let you know which terminal you will be flying from.

Manchester Airport recently announced further details of its multi-million pound plans to improve Terminal 3 by expanding it to make use of space that will be available when Terminal 1 closes. Some new parts of Terminal 3 will open early next year, including new sports bar Sporting Chance.

The memorial, which comprises a 1:4 scale Spitfire over a circular flowerbed filled with poppies, pays tribute to the 613 (City of Manchester) Squadron of the Royal Air Force, which was formed at RAF Ringway, the wartime name for Manchester Airport. 

The squadron saw action as a reconnaissance and tactical bomber unit and remained operational until 1957. Its fleet included the De Havilland Mosquito, the North American Mustang, and the iconic Supermarine Spitfire – the inspiration for the new memorial. 

The model aircraft that forms part of the memorial is adorned with a 613 Squadron emblem and a recognition code (RAT) used on aircraft flown from RAF Ringway.  

The unveiling of the memorial comes in the year that marked the 80^th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and aims to preserve the memory of the role that RAF Ringway – and the City of Manchester more broadly – played in the Allied victory. 

It will form the centrepiece of the airport’s Armistice Day commemorations this morning.  

The fourth series of Manchester Airport’s official podcast launches today, taking listeners on a journey as it lifts the lid on the workings of the UK’s third largest airport.

Manchester: Your Airport, MAN initially launched in 2023, and since then it has looked at everything from sustainable aviation fuel and airport technology of the future to how an airfield operates and what it’s really like to be a commercial pilot.

More than 10,000 listeners have tuned in and the podcast is now back by popular demand – with this week's episode going behind the scenes at IndiGo’s launch of a direct route between Manchester and Mumbai earlier in the summer.

Five more episodes will follow over the coming weeks, including a sneak peek at what’s to come in the completed Terminal 2 as a 10-year, £1.3bn transformation programme nears its completion, along with a Q&A session with the airport’s leadership team covering all the big talking points from this summer, its busiest yet, and an episode sharing hot tips and delving into hidden gems for travellers heading to some of the airport’s most popular leisure destinations.

Series Four of the podcast is hosted by Hywel Evans, alongside the airport’s Communications Director, Adam Jupp. Hywel is a well-known voice to those driving through Lancashire and Manchester for their early morning flights, having spent over a decade as a radio host on Key 103, Rock FM, XS Manchester, BBC Radio 6 and many other stations, before moving into the world of podcasting.

He has won a ‘Best Comedy Podcast’ award for his work as a writer on the audio series The Adventures of Brian Hovis and brings a light-hearted touch to the podcast, as he explores and tries to make sense of a colossal operation that helps more than 30 million passengers per year get on their way to their destinations.

Hywel said: “I love audio entertainment and I love travel. Fact. I’ve been around the world a few times and am an ‘air miles’ nerd. I’ve left Manchester Airport for all the corners of the globe and I love it. So when I had the chance to jump on board with the podcast I leapt at it. Being ‘backstage’ at the airport is truly fascinating, my mind is blown by the secret workings from stats to tunnels, buildings, security and coffee.  There is so much more to the whole operation than you’d ever imagine.”

Adam said: “The great thing about this podcast is that we can take you into parts of the airport that you wouldn’t see as a passenger and bring those stories to life. It was a pleasure to work with Hywel on this series and amusing to watch him trying to get his head around it all!

“This series really gives you a sense of the scale of the airport, and how many moving parts have to come together to get you away on your holiday or business trip – but we also take the time to look ahead to the future and explore what’s to come as we complete our decade-long transformation programme. I hope our listeners enjoy hearing about it as much as we enjoyed recording it.”

The podcast is produced by Crowd Network, an award-winning Manchester based digital media agency that has worked with the likes of Chester Zoo and Chelsea FC on similar projects.

You can listen to Manchester: Your Airport, MAN on Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Podcasts among other platforms.

The North is set for a major economic boost thanks to a new direct air route to India's capital.

The service – between Manchester Airport and Delhi – was announced at the start of a trade mission to India led by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

It will be operated by India’s biggest airline – IndiGo – and has been tipped to accelerate the benefits of the new UK-India trade deal by helping businesses across the North export to one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

The news comes just months after IndiGo picked Manchester for its first ever long-haul route into Europe, launching flights to Mumbai.

It means that, from November, there will be nine direct flights a week between the North and India, with Manchester Airport being the only outside London to have services to both Mumbai and Delhi.

They will all operate from Manchester’s state-of-the-art £1.3bn Terminal 2, which has been delivered through its historic 10-year Transformation Programme, unlocking the capacity of its existing two full-length runways.

Research from economic consultancy Metro Dynamics forecasts the two routes will deliver a major economic boost, including:

•  Increased exports worth more than £33.5m a year
• More than £26m a year of extra tourism income from Indian visitors
• around 500 new jobs – supporting £24.2m of extra GVA to the North
• more than £26m of productivity savings for businesses across the North each year
• significant increases in innovation and research collaboration between the North and India

It will also be of huge benefit to the substantial Indian diaspora living in Manchester Airport's catchment area, who currently have to suffer the cost and inconvenience of connecting flights when travelling home to visit friends and family. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:

“This new direct route between Manchester and Delhi is a powerful example of our plan for change in action—unlocking new opportunities for businesses, creating hundreds of jobs, and driving growth. I’m proud to see Manchester Airport leading the way in delivering the benefits of our new UK-India trade deal to communities across the North.”

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe has joined the Prime Minister and a delegation of senior business figures from across UK on the four-day mission to India, starting today (Wednesday 8 October).

He said:  

“We are proud to connect the North to the world and today’s announcement means people and businesses across the region will now have direct access to both India’s financial centre and its capital.

“That will drive tens of millions of pounds in economic value every year, supporting the Government’s growth agenda and boosting the benefits of the new UK-India trade deal.

“It is pleasing to see MAG’s £1.3bn investment in Manchester Airport unlocking the potential of our two runways, driving growth and prosperity across the North through routes like these with IndiGo.

“I am honoured to be joining the Prime Minister on this trade mission and look forward to working with Government on plans to maximise the contribution Manchester Airport makes to its economic mission in the years to come.”

Jo Ahmed, co-chair of the Manchester India Partnership, an alliance of public and private sector organisations that has forged closer social and economic ties over the past eight years, said:  

"Having direct flights into India's two most important cities will deliver a significant boost to the region's economy, building on the many trade, investment, academic and cultural connections that already exist. 

"The fact IndiGo chose Manchester in the first place was due recognition of the many years of hard work that have gone into forging close ties between the two locations. With a new UK-India trade deal in place - and connectivity like this - I am looking forward to the next chapter of Manchester-India relations delivering an even stronger set of opportunities for collaboration benefitting both people and place."

Vishakha Yaduvanshi, Consul General of India in Manchester, said:

“The launch of IndiGo’s new direct flight service between Delhi and Manchester marks another milestone in the deepening partnership between India and the North of England, since the establishment of the Consulate General of India and the launch of a direct flight between Manchester and Mumbai.

“I commend Manchester Airport and IndiGo for their tireless efforts to meet the growing demand to extend the connectivity to India’s capital, Delhi. This new edition is timely and immensely significant for businesses, students, tourism and cultural linkages between our two countries.”

Henri Murison, Chief Executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said:

“Lord Jim O’Neill, who developed the intellectual underpinning of the Northern Powerhouse, has made the case consistently for linking cities including Manchester, Sheffield, Leeds and Liverpool to each other and Manchester Airport. He also coined the terms ‘BRICs’ and the changing global economic order in the two and a half decades since has shown the importance of India and China in particular from that grouping to the future of the North.

“Adding Delhi to the existing direct connection already established to Mumbai is a testament to the strong potential for strengthening economic ties between the North of England and India. Building on foreign direct investment such as Sai Life Sciences at Alderley Park and the significant number of Indian students who choose to study here - one of our greatest pan-Northern export success stories, including institutions such as Manchester and Sheffield - this new direct long-haul link is of particular significance.”

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, said:

"This new route to Delhi will supercharge Manchester's connections with India. Our existing route to Mumbai is already hugely beneficial to the city's businesses and people - supporting trade, investment and cultural links with one of the world's biggest economies.

“The addition of Delhi, meaning that there will be daily flights to and from India from Manchester, will take that to the next level."

Delhi is India’s capital and home to its government. It is also part of the famous ‘Golden Triangle’ of Delhi, Agra – home of the Taj Mahal – and Jaipur, which is famed for its pink forts, palaces and temples.

Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is the financial capital of India and one of the most populous cities in the world. Located on the west coast along the Arabian Sea, Mumbai is the centre of the Hindi film industry and a thriving hub for commerce, fashion, and entertainment.

IndiGo is India’s biggest airline. Last year it served more than 118m passengers across its network of more than 90 destinations in India and 40 international destinations. It has a fleet of more than 400 aircraft.

The new service will operate from Manchester Airport’s brand new, £1.3bn Terminal 2, as well as the existing Mumbai service. The terminal is the centrepiece of the airport’s decade-long transformation programme which is due to be conclude in the coming months.

Terminal 2 has already won the prestigious Prix Versailles for architecture and design, recognising it as one of the most modern and user-friendly airport terminals in Europe. 

Manchester Airport and Pakistan International Airlines have announced a new twice-weekly service to Islamabad.

It makes Manchester the only airport in the north with a direct connection to Pakistan. Annually 362,000 people from the region travel to the Pakistani capital, which makes it the most in-demand destination not served by Manchester Airport.

Although Manchester Airport has the biggest route network of any UK airport outside London, until now people travelling to Pakistan’s capital had to do so either by flying out of Manchester and connecting to Pakistan in the Middle East or by flying from London.

The new route will operate on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 25 October with a view to increasing the frequency.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“Manchester Airport is proud to connect to the North to the World and that means making sure we serve the destinations people in our region want to travel to.

“We know hundreds of thousands of passengers from our catchment area travel to Pakistan every year but don’t have the option of enjoying the benefits of a direct connection.

“Our partnership with Pakistan International Airlines puts that right and adds Islamabad to our route network of more than 200 destinations served by 50-plus airlines.

“This new route will be a real boost to the region’s Pakistani community and opens up an easy way for tourists to visit an exciting country. We’re all really looking forward to the first flights in just a few weeks and to hearing about people’s experiences of an amazing destination.”

A Pakistan International Airlines spokesperson said:

 “This new service fulfils the long-standing demand of our valued passengers for hassle-free, nonstop travel between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.

“With this development, travellers can now reach their destination in just eight hours, avoiding lengthy layovers on connecting flights.”

The new service will operate from Manchester Airport’s brand new, £1.3bn Terminal 2. The terminal is the centrepiece of the airport’s decade-long transformation programme which is due to be conclude in the coming months.

Terminal 2 has already won the prestigious Prix Versailles for architecture and design, recognising it as one of the most modern and user-friendly airport terminals in Europe. 

Almost 7m people flew through Manchester Airport over the school summer holidays – making it the Northern hub’s busiest summer yet.

The airport also saw its busiest single month ever, with 3.5m people flying in or out of the UK’s global gateway in the North during August.

New data also shows that according to surveys of more than 3,000 passengers between January-June, 91% rated their experience of the airport as good, very good or excellent.

Some of that success was driven by good performance in security,  with 95% of passengers waiting for 10 minutes or less to get to security in August and almost 80% waiting for less than five minutes.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“Here at Manchester Airport, we are proud to connect the North to the world – and over the summer it really feels like we’ve done that.

“We’ve seen almost 7m passengers travel through the airport in July and August and we’ve worked hard to deliver a great experience for them. In the first half of the year we know that more than 90% of our passengers rated their time in the airport as good, very good or excellent.

“And having seen the work the teams here have put in over the summer – and the many, many happy faces I see around the airport every day – I feel very confident we’ll see similar figures for this period.

“Now we’re moving into a very exciting time for the airport as we get into the final stages of our transformation programme. Over the next few months we’ll put the finishing touches to our brand new, £1.3bn Terminal 2 and meanwhile we’ve started work on improving and expanding Terminal 3, with the first new parts of that opening early in the new year.

“It means that as we look ahead I think we’ll see our passengers grow even happier with the service they receive here.”

The most popular destinations during August were Antalya, Palma, Dublin, Amsterdam and Dubai – a trend that looks to continue in September as travellers look to take advantage of late summer deals in what’s known as the ‘shoulder season’ – periods either side of the school summer holidays when many popular destinations are still warm but prices are lower.

It means it will be another busy month – but the airport has given some top tips to travellers looking for a straightforward getaway:

-          Consider using public transport to get to the airport – Manchester Airport is one of the best connected in the country with a dedicated train, tram and bus station, which is now fully connected to the Bee Network. This time of year more travellers come to the airport by car but you can save money and time by leaving your car at home – while helping ease congestion and look after the environment

-          Use our free drop off area – we offer a free drop off area at JetParks1. It is served by a regular shuttle bus that runs every few minutes and will have you at your terminal in around six minutes.

-          Alternatively you can be dropped off outside our terminals for a small charge – just remember to pay online or over the phone by midnight the following day

-          If you’re driving book parking in advance – and make sure you know where you need to go when you arrive at the airport. All the car parks are clearly signed but it always helps to plan ahead

-          Check-in online before you travel

-          Travel light – if you aren’t travelling with children it can be easier to go away with just cabin baggage. This means no queueing at check-in so you can go straight to security – where the vast majority of people wait for under five minutes

-          Take advantage of night before bag drop services – many airlines offer the option for people to come to the airport the night before they fly, park for free and drop their bags off at check-in when there aren’t any queues. Check online to see if your airline offers this service

-          Consider Fast Track and TimeSlot services  - find out more here. Fast Track is available at both security and immigration in all three terminals and helps you beat the queues. TimeSlot is available in Terminals 2 and 3 and lets you book a time to come to security meaning you can avoid waiting

-          Take time to enjoy the departure lounges – there’s a wide range of food, drink and shopping options available in all three of Manchester Airport’s terminals, particularly Terminal 2 where new shops and eateries opened earlier in the summer

-          Look for quiet areas – all three terminals also have quieter areas with extra seating so when it’s busy there are still places to sit and relax away from the hustle and bustle

-          Book a lounge if you want some luxury – all Manchester Airport’s terminals have different lounge options to suit different budgets

Manchester Airport’s 10-year, £1.3bn transformation programme will be completed later this year. The brand new Terminal 2 will become the centre of gravity for the airport, catering for over 70% of passengers with its new security hall, check-in area and shopping options – all of which opened this year.

Further parts of the terminal will be opening over the coming months including the Great Northern Market – a market hall style food area featuring pop-up street food vendors – the airport’s first Wetherspoons pub, new shops and bars including Fever Tree and Chanel and a new pier that will allow more flights to depart from the Terminal.

That means some airlines currently based in Terminals 1 and 3 will move over to Terminal 2, as some have already. If you are due to travel your airline will let you know which terminal you will be flying from.

Manchester Airport recently announced further details of its multi-million pound plans to improve Terminal 3 by expanding it to make use of space that will be available when Terminal 1 closes. Some new parts of Terminal 3 will open early next year, including new sports bar Sporting Chance.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe says major infrastructure projects like Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) will help Northern firms go global and boost productivity outside the capital.

Mr Woodroofe pointed to UK Trade Barometer data gathered by YouGov for Manchester Airport’s parent company MAG and the Growing Together Alliance of business groups. It shows 63% of London-based businesses that trade internationally increased global sales in Q2 of this year.

That this is in contrast to the North where only 57% reported an increase. In the capital, more than half of businesses (51%) expect to grow their order books in Q3 compared to just 22% in the North.

Mr Woodroofe said there is an opportunity for Government – through its new Industrial Strategy – to get more businesses trading internationally as a way of driving up productivity and growth outside of London.

And he drew a connection between that and plans to revive NPR, which would unlock the full potential of Manchester Airport's two runways, building on its own £1.3bn transformation, which is set to complete this year.

It is understood Government is gearing up to make an NPR announcement before Labour Party Conference.  

He said:

“It is no secret this government is on a growth mission. Recent GDP figures were cautiously welcomed by the Chancellor but paint a similar picture to the UK Trade Barometer – growth, but slightly slower growth than before. The conundrum is how to turbo-charge it.

“What we have now is clarity – in the form of the Modern Industrial Strategy, which picks out the sectors we have strengths in and that have the highest growth potential.

“The good news is that these industries don’t just exist in London. They are abundant across the North – from AI clusters in Liverpool to medical device specialists in Yorkshire and the “Atom Valley” in Greater Manchester.

“A new Liverpool-Manchester line that goes via Manchester Airport and on to Bradford, Leeds and beyond has the backing of public and private sector leaders across the North and we await announcements eagerly.

“There are lots of reasons this scheme would be transformational, but chiefly it will radically improve how easy it is for people across the North to access their international gateway – Manchester Airport.

“It will put trips to key global markets within reach for the first time, encouraging businesses to trade globally.”

Mr Woodroofe pointed to the impact of Manchester Airport’s new route to Mumbai with Indigo as an example of the powerful effects international connectivity provide to businesses. 

It is estimated that route will deliver a boost worth hundreds of millions of pounds to the North in the next three years, including more than £32m each year in exports and £9m each year by cutting travel costs for businesses who already travelled indirectly.

But Mr Woodroofe pointed out that these benefits are felt most keenly by those businesses that are directly connected to the airport – and at the moment that is limited by the lack of a high-speed rail line that connects towns and cities across the North.

He added:

“When the time taken for surface journeys to airports is reduced, the airport’s catchment area increases. Put simply, more people live within an easy commute than did before – and that helps us attract new routes.

“Research conducted for us by Arup estimates up to another 50 long haul routes could be added to our departure board if NPR is delivered in full and the Northern economy fires on all cylinders.

“To fire on all cylinders, it needs all the Industrial Strategy sectors to maximise their potential right here in the North, creating jobs and driving higher wages.

“So my vision for the North is a world in which there are no headlines speculating that an east-west high speed rail line is finally going to be delivered, because we already have it.

“And it is a world in which research like our UK Trade Barometer doesn’t reveal such a stark contrast between where firms are located and the extent to which they are excelling on the global stage. These are long-term aspirations, but the next few months will go a long way to indicating whether they will become a reality.”

The UK Trade Barometer  – from the UK’s largest airports group MAG and The Growing Together Alliance of business groups – surveys more than 2,000 businesses about their export performance over the past three months and their expectations for the quarter ahead.

The most recent data, released last week, shows 35% broke into a new market in Q2, compared with 47% in Q1. Looking forward, one in five (20%) expect to enter a new market in the next three months, broadly flat against Q1 (21%).

In the North, 57% of exporters increased sales to existing markets, down from 69% in Q1. The US was the most popular market, with 36% naming it as the territory they grew sales in. That was up from 31% in Q1.

Across the North, 38% entered a new market in Q2, compared with 50% in Q1. America also topped that chart, followed by Germany, Canada and Australia.

There were differences within the North, though. North West and North East firms fared similarly, with 40% and 42% respectively growing sales to existing markets. In Yorkshire and Humber, the figure was only 20%.

It was North West firms that grew their global footprint the most, with 68% entering a new market for the first time. That compared with 35% in Yorkshire and Humber and 28% in the North East.

Read Mr Woodroofe's piece in full here.

Earlier this month, speculation emerged that the Government is gearing up to revive plans for a Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) network spanning the east-west of the country.

Last week, data from MAG – owner of Manchester Airport, alongside London Stansted and East Midlands Airport – painted a picture of the global trade fortunes of businesses across the UK in Q2.

The first conjures up images of frustrated commuters on platforms, yearning for a speedier and more reliable service.  The second, of globetrotting businesspeople, hopping on jets to strike deals that get their British-made products on shelves around the world.

It is hard to imagine how the two are connected…but they are!

Delving into the findings of the UK Trade Barometer, there are lots of angles to grab headlines: the impact of Trump’s tariffs; the re-emergence of China as a key market for British exporters; and the ever-increasing importance of the EU as a trading bloc.

But as a leader of a major corporate headquartered in the North, there’s another finding that jumps out.

In the survey of 2,000 UK businesses – conducted by YouGov for MAG and the Growing Together Alliance of business groups – 63% of those in London said they export and increased global sales in Q2.

That compares to 57% in the North and 51% in the Midlands. Looking forward, more than half of London businesses (51%) expect to increase exports to a market they already sell to in the next three months. Less than a quarter feel the same in the North (22%) and Midlands (22%).

It is no secret this government is on a growth mission. Recent GDP figures were cautiously welcomed by the Chancellor but paint a similar picture to the UK Trade Barometer – growth, but slightly slower growth than before. The conundrum is how to turbo-charge it.

What we have now is clarity – in the form of the Modern Industrial Strategy, which picks out the sectors we have strengths in and that have the highest growth potential.

The good news is that these industries don’t just exist in London. They are abundant across the North – from AI clusters in Liverpool to medical device specialists in Yorkshire and the “Atom Valley” in Greater Manchester.

Here at Manchester Airport, we are developing MIX Manchester, a scheme that aims to be the best-connected science, innovation and advanced manufacturing campus in the country.

Arguably, the most important words in that sentence are “best-connected” – that’s because we know all the sectors identified by the Industrial Strategy rely more than most on two things: talent and access to the world. Both those things drive productivity and innovation. We also know that towns and cities with a higher proportion of exporting businesses have higher living standards.

Hopefully, you’re now starting to see the connection between the two topics I introduced earlier.

As a member of the Liverpool-Manchester Railway Board, it won’t surprise you to hear I’m a huge advocate of improved east-west connectivity. A new Liverpool-Manchester line that goes via Manchester Airport and on to Bradford, Leeds and beyond has the backing of public and private sector leaders across the North and we await announcements eagerly.

There are lots of reasons this scheme would be transformational, but chiefly it will radically improve how easy it is for people across the North to access their international gateway – Manchester Airport.

It will put trips to key global markets within reach for the first time, encouraging businesses to trade globally.

There is no better example of this than economic forecasts produced as we launched a new route to Mumbai recently. It is estimated that route will deliver a boost worth hundreds of millions of pounds to the North in the next three years, including more than £32m each year in exports and £9m each year by cutting travel costs for businesses who already travelled indirectly.

Perhaps most crucially, when the time taken for surface journeys to airports are reduced, the airport’s catchment area increases. Put simply, more people live within an easy commute than did before – and that helps us attract new routes.

Research conducted for us by Arup estimates up to another 50 long haul routes could be added to our departure board if NPR is delivered in full and the Northern economy fires on all cylinders.

To fire on all cylinders, it needs all the Industrial Strategy sectors to maximise their potential right here in the North, creating jobs and driving higher wages.

So my vision for the North is a world in which there are no headlines speculating that an east-west high speed rail line is finally going to be delivered, because we already have it.

And it is a world in which research like our UK Trade Barometer doesn’t reveal such a stark contrast between where firms are located and the extent to which they are excelling on the global stage. These are long-term aspirations, but the next few months will go a long way to indicating whether they will become a reality.

Latest findings from The UK Trade Barometer show 54% of exporters increased sales to existing markets between April and July. That was down from 63% in Q1.

The Barometer – from the UK’s largest airports group MAG and The Growing Together Alliance of business groups – surveys more than 2,000 businesses about their export performance over the past three months and their expectations for the quarter ahead.

It shows 35% broke into a new market in Q2, compared with 47% in Q1. Looking forward, one in five (20%) expect to enter a new market in the next three months, broadly flat against Q1 (21%).

In the North, 57% of exporters increased sales to existing markets, down from 69% in Q1. The US was the most popular market, with 36% naming it as the territory they grew sales in. That was up from 31% in Q1.

Across the North, 38% entered a new market in Q2, compared with 50% in Q1. America also topped that chart, followed by Germany, Canada and Australia.

There were differences within the North, though. North West and North East firms fared similarly, with 40% and 42% respectively growing sales to existing markets. In Yorkshire and Humber, the figure was only 20%.

It was North West firms that grew their global footprint the most, with 68% entering a new market for the first time. That compared with 35% in Yorkshire and Humber and 28% in the North East.

The other key findings from the pulse-check, conducted by YouGov, were:

Calming of transatlantic tensions bodes well

·       One in four firms already trading in the US (25%) said they had increased sales there in the last three months

·       45% expect to increase exports to America in the next quarter, compared to 41% in Q1 – the joint biggest increase

·       But there were huge variances by sector. America dropped dramatically in popularity with manufacturers, while IT and Telecoms sold strongly across the pond

Talking our language

·       Canada (Q2: 13% vs Q1: 10%) has risen above the United States (Q2: 9% vs Q1: 13%) as the most cited destination for those expecting to grow their global footprint in Q3

·       Australia has also risen up the new market ranks (Q2: 9% vs Q1: 6%), indicating the popularity of English-speaking countries among firms looking to diversify order books

Exporters had Euro-vision in second quarter

·       Five EU countries feature in the top 10 markets exporters grew sales to in Q2 (Germany, France, Spain, Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium), compared with just three in Q1 (Germany, France, Spain).

·       Five also feature in the list of markets firms expect to enter for the first time next quarter (France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Spain) vs four in Q1 (Germany, France, Belgium Denmark)

Far East fillip

·       There was a strong rise in businesses saying they expect to grow sales to China in the next three months (Q2: 14% vs Q1: 10%)

·       The number of businesses saying they had grown sales to China as an existing market also grew (Q2: 8% vs Q1: 7%)

·       The number of businesses entering China for the first time also rose (Q2: 6% vs Q1: 4%)

Mind the gap

·       63% of London businesses said they currently export and have increased sales in Q2. That compares with 51% in the North, 51% in the Midlands and 49% in the East of England.

·       While 51% of businesses polled in the capital expect to increase sales to an existing market in Q3, less than a quarter do in the North (24%) and Midlands (23%)

If we can make here, we can take it….anywhere

·       Just 44% of manufacturers increased sales to existing markets vs 55% in Q1

·       The US remained top existing market but with only 16% of manufacturers vs 29% in Q1

·       China rose to be the second biggest existing market (Q2: 13% vs Q1: 8%), followed by Australia, Germany and France

·       The US plummeted down the table of new markets entered by manufacturers, going from top spot (20%) in Q1 to fifth (3%) in Q2

·       China was the most popular new market (8%), despite not making the top five in Q1

Tariff-free trading serves us well

·       More than three-quarters (77%) of IT and Telecoms first grew sales to existing markets and 62% entered a new market

·       America retained top spot on both measures: 44% grew sales to the US as an existing market (vs Q1: 45%) and 34% entered America for the first time (vs Q1: 36%)

MAG is the UK’s largest group of airports, owning Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports. Around three-quarters of UK businesses are based within two hours of one of its airports.

CEO Ken O’Toole said: "Last week's GDP growth figures were met with cautious optimism and a commitment from government to drive productivity and broader economic performance ahead of the Autumn Budget. This global trade data - covering the same period - gives us a valuable indication of how likely we are to see that play out.

"That's because we know businesses that export are more innovative, competitive and productive. Towns and cities with more businesses trading globally have higher living standards. We also know that the sectors Government is prioritising through its Modern Industrial Strategy are inherently global - reflecting our status as an island trading nation with an economy built on exportable services.

"What this data tells us is that British exporters are navigating global trade turbulence well. More than half grew sales in Q2 and their order books reflect a healthy variety of markets.

"It also highlights a clear opportunity for Government to boost productivity nationwide – and close the gap between London and the regions - by working with business and local leaders to identify the interventions that will help more companies go global."

The Growing Together Alliance brings together business groups from across the UK regions, including the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. Cambridge Ahead and BusinessLDN, among others.

Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said: “The importance of the EU as a market cannot be overstated – it remains the most significant market overall when taken as a trading bloc, underlining why the Prime Minister’s efforts to improve that relationship have been so important. 

“Despite the challenges of recent months, the government’s success in securing better terms with the US is already delivering results. Of the businesses that increased export sales over the quarter, more than a third saw growth in the USA – rising to 44% for firms in the North West. 

“Across the regions, trade can and will play a critical role in raising productivity by increasing both the number of businesses that export and the scale of exports among those already active in global markets.”

John Dickie, Chief Executive of BusinessLDN, said: “Amid a volatile geopolitical environment, it’s vital that the Government helps firms in the capital and beyond navigate a challenging outlook by removing roadblocks to trade and investment.

“The recent trade deal with India and the agreement to strengthen cooperation with the European Union are steps in the right direction. As an island trading nation, it’s also important that policymakers back projects to increase aviation and rail capacity sustainably to boost the international links that are the foundation of cross-border business relationships.”

James Monk, Director of Commercial Services at Business West: “The latest UK Trade Barometer data highlights the resilience and adaptability of British exporters, and reflects the activity of our traders in the South West, who continue to take advantage of opportunities in both established and emerging markets.

“With Canada and China rising as key export markets, and the EU maintaining its importance post-Brexit, South West businesses are well-positioned to expand their global footprint and profitability through leveraging Free Trade Agreements.

“At Business West, we’re committed to supporting our exporters in navigating these opportunities, ensuring they remain competitive and compliant in an ever-evolving trade landscape."

TABLES

Key findings:

UK businesses look-back (last three months):

UK businesses next three months:

Northern businesses look-back (last three months):

Northern businesses next three months:

Midlands businesses look-back (last three months):

·       No forward-looking data for the Midlands due to lack sample size

London businesses look-back (last three months):

London businesses next three months:

East of England businesses look-back (last three months):

·       No forward-looking data for the East of England due to lack sample size

In the airport’s Garden of Remembrance, an epitaph on the permanent memorial to the victims reads, ‘their lives were not lost in vain.’ Those words reflect the fact that every passenger who passes through Manchester Airport – and any other airport around the world – is safer, today, as a result of the lessons learned from that day’s tragic events.

It's important that we take time to stop and remember.  That is our commitment.

Chris Woodroofe - Managing Director, Manchester Airport

Renowned high street brands LEGO®, Rituals and Pandora are opening their first units at Manchester Airport, and new options for those wanting to grab a bite to eat or drink before they catch their flight include coffee giant Starbucks, baguette specialists Upper Crust, and juice bar Joe & The Juice. 

Steve and Emma Laxton, of Stalybridge, were the first passengers to use the new facilities. They were travelling to Tenerife with daughters Caitlin, 13, and Willow, six. 

The opening marks the latest milestone in the 10-year, £1.3bn transformation of Terminal 2, more than doubling the terminal’s size and creating a world-class passenger experience. An extension to the terminal opened in 2021, and the airport is now in the final stages of overhauling the original Terminal 2 building to bring it up to the same standard as the extension, mirroring the modern look and feel. 

More than 70 per cent of the airport’s passengers will use the new facilities and Terminal 1 is set to close when the project is completed later this year. 

Further shops and restaurants are expected to open later this year – including Chanel, Grindsmith by WH Smith, a Fever Tree cocktail and champagne bar, and the Great Northern Market – a food court with a selection of street food options. 

The finalised terminal will also include 13 new flexible aircraft stands and boarding gates, currently under construction, and a passageway linking the new security hall with the departure lounge will feature a chandelier installation, paying homage to the much-loved Venetian chandeliers that graced Terminal 1 in the 1980s and 1990s.   

More than 30 million passengers have already travelled through the terminal extension since it opened in 2021, and last year it claimed a prestigious, UNESCO-backed Prix Versailles award recognising its outstanding design.  

Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, said:  

“It’s wonderful to see more of our new-look Terminal 2 opening to the public, further enhancing the world class passenger experience that this terminal offers. We have a busy few months ahead of us as we finish this transformative 10-year project. 

“We’re proud to connect the people of the North with the world, and these new facilities will allow them to travel in the style befitting a major international hub, while also creating a striking first impression for visitors to our region.  

“Manchester and the North are woven through the fabric of this terminal building, from the worker bee and honeycomb motif in the terminal’s design, to the many Northern brands operating shops and restaurants in our departure lounge. We’re thrilled to see the last pieces of the project coming together and we’re sure the 70 per cent or so of our passengers who will use the final product will be as pleased with it as we are.” 

Richard Jackson, Retail Director at Manchester Airport, said:  

“We’re pleased to welcome so many exciting brands to our new-look Terminal 2. These brands are household names and leaders within their markets, with a reputation for quality, which makes them a perfect fit for the experience we are creating here. I look forward to working with them and with the brands due to open units later this year, as we put the finishing touches to the terminal.” 

Nigel Cole, Managing Director for Infrastructure, Mace said:  

"Delivering a transformation of this magnitude at one of the UK’s busiest airports has demanded dedication, collaboration and a relentless focus on quality. This milestone reflects years of work by Mace on the T2 Transformation Programme, which has included a range of upgrades, from taxiways and road access to reimagining the check-in and baggage experience. Terminal 2 will now stand as a true gateway to the north, offering a significantly enhanced journey for millions of passengers.” 

Lotte Rozemuller, Director of Travel Retail (EMEA & Americas) for Rituals, said: 

“We’re delighted to bring the Rituals experience to Manchester Airport, offering travellers a peaceful retreat where they can unwind and discover our full collection. Our new store is designed to help guests find a moment of calm amid the excitement of travel, whether they’re exploring our signature collections or enjoying a hands-on experience at the Water Island. With this opening, we’re excited to connect with even more customers in the North West and inspire them to turn everyday routines into meaningful moments of wellbeing.” 

Stuart Buchanan, Chief Property and Business Development Officer at SSP UK & Ireland, said:  

“We’re excited to be opening our Upper Crust and Starbucks units within the new Terminal Two building our relationship with Manchester Airport having worked with them for over two decades. The new terminal will transform passenger experiences and we are confident that a visit to our outlets before take-off will quickly become the best part of the journey.” 

Ross Monaghan, Sales Director at Pandora UK & Ireland, said:   

“We’re incredibly proud and excited to open our first ever standalone airport store, and delighted to partner with Manchester — a city that holds huge importance for Pandora in the UK,” said. 

“The continued development of the airport made this the right time to make our move and start a new chapter in the brand’s retail journey. We’ve designed an exceptional space that we hope will connect with our existing loyal customers, as well as introduce Pandora to many new ones. 

“Our aim is to meet every type of traveller — whether they’re gifting or self-purchasing — with a wide range of beautifully crafted jewellery, from everyday favourites to something more personal. The airport community works incredibly hard, and we’re proud to offer them a way to express what matters most through our collections. 

“We’re also proud to bring an extensive selection of products to the store, from our iconic Moments collection — including bee charms that pay tribute to this great city — to Pandora Lab-Grown Diamonds, our Gold Pandora ESSENCE range, and personalisation services. Customers will even have the opportunity to engrave symbols, letters, or handwritten messages and drawings, making each piece truly unique. 

“The team are excited to be part of this new adventure as we expand our footprint in such a dynamic and vibrant location.” 

Peter Newbould, CEO of Lagardère Travel Retail UK & Ireland, said:  

"We’re proud to continue growing our partnership with LEGO®Travel Retail in the UK with this latest opening at Manchester Airport. This store brings an interactive, family-friendly experience to Terminal 2 and celebrates the city’s character in a way that’s both playful and memorable. It’s another great example of how we’re bringing global brands to life in travel retail environments." 

Aviation Minister Mike Kane has announced 17 projects across the country will share £63m to accelerate SAF production, which will support up to 1,400 jobs.

Essar and NorthPointe Energy – who are both developing plans for SAF production facilities at Stanlow in the North West – were collectively awarded £4.5m of funding. This will enable SAF production at the Stanlow site - which already has an existing pipeline supplying aviation fuel to Manchester Airport - and aid the development of domestic SAF industry in the UK.

Manchester Airport has a target to make its own operations net zero by 2038 and is working collaboratively with its airlines to facilitate the use of SAF. In its Sustainability Strategy ‘Creating s sustainable future for all’, published in May 2025, MAG – Manchester Airport’s parent company – also set a target to reduce the emissions intensity of flights from its airports by 27% per revenue tonne kilometre for aircraft departing MAG airports between 2019 and 2035.

Together with the UK’s SAF mandate and Revenue Certainty Mechanism, today’s funding announcement helps to deliver the UK aviation industry’s plan to achieve net zero carbon by 2050, as well as creating thousands of new green jobs across the country.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“We are pleased to see that Essar and NorthPointe Energy have been awarded £4.5m by the Department for Transport to support the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in the North West.

“This funding will mean airlines using Manchester Airport will have direct access to SAF via the existing pipeline from the Stanlow production site.

 “We are delighted that our region is playing a leading role in the creation of a domestic SAF industry, which will support the creation of thousands of new green jobs and help the UK aviation industry reach net zero by 2050.”

Passengers should receive a great service at the UK’s third biggest airport, with a range of new features including new check-in desks, a new security hall, new scanners and new shops and bars in place in its £1.3bn Terminal 2.

Since the start of April, which is generally considered to be the start of the summer season, 97% of Manchester Airport’s passengers have waited for less than 10 minutes to get to security and 84% have waited less than five minutes.

Airport bosses expect this to continue during the summer getaway, with more staff in place than normal across key areas of the airports at busy times.

But there are things that passengers can do to help make sure their trip through the airport is smooth. That includes familiarising yourself with new developments at the airport, including its new barrierless drop-off system. The system means people pass through the terminal forecourts quicker and more smoothly after dropping people off, but it is important to remember to pay before midnight the following day.

Before arriving at the airport

Be smart when packing your bags. If you’re only going for a short trip, you may be able to only fly with hand baggage – saving you money. Roll up clothes rather than folding them to save space. But check what your airline’s baggage rules are – and make sure to weigh and measure your bags

If you’re able to, check in online before you’re due to travel – many airlines let you do this several weeks in advance and will usually notify you by email. This is particularly useful if you only plan to travel with hand baggage as you’ll be able to go straight to security

If you will have luggage for the hold of the aircraft and live locally, make use of day-before-baggage-check-in services. Many airlines offer the ability to check-in your bags the evening before you depart, meaning you don’t have to queue on the day. You’ll be able to park for free when you do this. Visit your airline’s website to see if it offers this service

Aim to arrive at the airport in line with your airline’s instructions – this is usually two hours before your flight for short haul and three hours before for long haul

Remember your passport and any other documents you need

Plan your journey carefully. Over the summer the road and public transport networks can be busy so make sure you plan your route carefully and allow plenty of time

Make sure you have drinks and snacks on hand – so not in the boot if you are driving. This is particularly useful in the event of any delays en route to the airport, especially so if you are travelling with children

If you are travelling with children make sure you talk to them about what to expect at the airport. Airports can be overwhelming so it can be useful to prepare them for what they will experience. It’s also worth packing entertainment for the airport

If you or anyone you’re travelling with has any assistance needs, you can pre-book through your airline or travel agent up to 48 hours before your flight. If you are unable to do this in time, you can report to one of the assistance points in all three of the airport’s terminals where staff will be able to help you – it just may take longer than if you book ahead

If you’re driving book your parking in advance to get the best rates

But consider using public transport to get to the airport – Manchester is one of the best-connected airports in the country with a dedicated train, tram and bus station

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 private 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

Prepare for security as normal – so with electronic items ready to be removed from bags and no liquids of more than 100mls. Although Manchester Airport’s three terminals all have new scanning technology in place in the majority of lanes, Government advice is to prepare to travel as normal until all lanes have new equipment in place

If you’re travelling with children through Terminal 1, why not visit the Little Flyers Zone – where there is playing equipment and sometimes entertainment

All three terminals have a wide range of food and drink options so why not allow yourself time to enjoy a meal before you board

Make sure you keep an eye on the screens around the departure lounge so you know when it’s time to go to your gate

You can also use the airport’s new information kiosks – digital screens positioned all over the terminals – to help with a range of things including finding your way around

The airport is a big place – the walk from the departure lounge to the gates can be as much as 10-15 minutes. So allow time to get to the gate and make use of the moving walkways

The airport offers free water refills at points around the terminal so it’s worth bringing a refillable bottle

Manchester Airport Customer Services Director Jennifer Byrne-Smith said:

“We’re proud to connect the people of the North to the world – and in the summer that means helping people get away on their holidays.

“It’s a really exciting time at the airport – there’s a real buzz in the air and the excitement is infectious – but we know the airport can also be quite a daunting place, especially when it’s busy.

“That’s why we’ve shared some hints and tips to help make life easier for people. The main thing is just to plan your visit to the airport in advance – from your travel to get here, being ready at security, and packing entertainment for children.

“We’ve invested more than £1.3bn in transforming Manchester Airport over the last ten years – and that programme is almost complete. Passengers this year will really notice all the benefits of it, especially if they’re travelling from our new, state-of-the-art Terminal 2.

“And if people follow our advice they’ll really be able to enjoy those benefits and really feel like their holidays start at Manchester Airport.” 

The summer season always sees a rise in the popularity of traditional holiday hotspots around the Mediterranean. The most popular short and medium haul destinations are expected to be:

1. Antalya
2. Dublin
3. Amsterdam
4. Palma De Mallorca
5. Dalaman
6. Alicante
7. Dubai
8. Paris
9. Tenerife
10. Doha

It will be the first year that Antalya has topped the list, illustrating the popularity of Turkey.

The most popular long-haul destinations are expected to be:

1. Orlando
2. New York
3. Shanghai
4. Hong Kong
5. Addis Ababa

This year the airport has reached a number of key milestones in its transformation programme – which began in 2015 and will be complete later this year.

Among them are that a new security hall and check-in desks in the newest section of Terminal 2 have now opened. Retail spaces in the new part of the terminal have been handed over to the brands that will run them so they can be fitted out, ready to open in the coming months.

Manchester Airport has also recently launched flights to Mumbai with India’s biggest airline, IndiGo. The first flights operated earlier this month and are the North’s only direct connection to India’s financial capital.

The airport also recently announced that from later this year it will become the only UK airport outside London to operate a direct service to Bangkok in Thailand – the world’s most visited city. Flights with Norse Atlantic Airways will start in November.

The celebrations come as statistical analysis for Manchester Airport shows a rise in the number of passengers travelling to and from the States, and a concurrent boost to the regional economy in the North.

Direct passengers between Manchester and the US were up 10% year-on-year in 2024, with 931,000 taking advantage of links to cities such as New York, Las Vegas and Orlando.

An additional 219,000 bought end-to-end tickets from Manchester to a US airport with a connection via a third airport, with a year-on-year increase in connecting passengers travelling to Boston (up 14%), Chicago (13%), Washington DC (8%) and Los Angeles (6%).

Within Europe, Manchester is the 17^th largest airport for travel to and from the US, with 1.15m passengers in 2024.

And in a boost for northern businesses, £2.4bn of cargo was processed through Manchester to and from the USA in 2024, up by more than a fifth on the previous year – with hopes of further growth following the signing of a US – UK trade deal.

Trade between the UK and the United States is at an all-time high at £294bn, and our region is home to offices for a number of American-based multinational corporations including Johnson & Johnson, Amazon, Kellogg's, Bank of America and Microsoft.

Direct flights from Manchester to the US include routes to;

-          New York City, operated by Virgin Atlantic and Aer Lingus. A city that needs little introduction, New York is home to countless world-famous sites like the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building – but visitors in the next 12 months will also get the chance to take in major events like the 2026 World Cup final and see stars like Katy Perry, Dua Lipa and Andrea Bocelli in concert at Madison Square Gardens. Flights to the Big Apple start from just £289pp return with Aer Lingus.*

-          Orlando, operated by Virgin Atlantic, Aer Lingus and TUI. Orlando is at the heart of Florida, the Sunshine State. It makes for a perfect winter sun holiday and a great base to explore what the state has to offer, from the beaches of Miami to the space centre at Cape Canaveral and the Everglades National Park. Many visitors to Orlando, though, are here for the city’s renowned theme parks – it has no fewer than 11 of them. Flights start at £319pp return with Aer Lingus.*

-          Las Vegas, operated by Virgin Atlantic. The self-styled Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World gained direct flights from Manchester last summer. Music stars Bruno Mars, Janet Jackson, Pitbull, Shania Twain and Lionel Ritchie are all performing residencies at venues across the city throughout the summer. In boxing, Canelo Alvarez takes on Terence Crawford at the Allegiant stadium on 12th September. And between the big events, check out world-famous sites nearby like the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. Flights from £694pp return.*

-          Atlanta, operated by Virgin Atlantic. Atlanta International Airport is the world’s busiest, with nearly 110m passengers last year. It offers direct links to more than 250 destinations worldwide, including cities in 47 of the 50 US states – and many flying to Atlanta from Manchester are connecting onwards, to other parts of the US or North America. Visitors to this city, though, will find a vibrant music scene and experiences like the World of Coca-Cola and the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historical Park, set around the famed civil rights campaigner’s birthplace. Flights are from £791pp return.*

 Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director at Manchester Airport, said: 

“I’d like to wish a very happy Fourth of July to all of our American visitors, and to the 20,000 or so Americans who live here in the North, including some of our colleagues.

“It’s the perfect time to celebrate our countries’ links, and as the UK’s global gateway in the North, Manchester Airport is extremely proud to have connected more than a million people across the Atlantic in 2024.

“Ties between the UK and US are strong and enduring, and bring about economic prosperity for people in both countries, including right here in the North. We look forward to working with airline partners and organisations like Marketing Manchester to continue to grow and develop this vital partnership.”

*Price quoted is the cheapest available one-way direct ticket from Manchester to the specified destination when booked through a partner airline, between now and 30 June 2026. Prices accurate at the time of publication.

The new IndiGo service – the North’s only direct, year-round route to India – is likely to support £32.9m increase in exports from the region to the world’s fastest-growing economy a year.

The study, from independent experts Metro-Dynamics, also shows an extra £11.8m a year will be spent by additional Indian visitors to the region as a result of the new three-times-a-week service.

Around 250 jobs - including direct, supply chain and wider supporting roles – will be created bty the route, which will create £12.1m of economic value for the North a year.

Findings suggest direct connectivity will also support international innovation, stimulating a rise in UK-India patents and academic citations.

And the existence of direct flights will deliver a major boost for people who already travel from Manchester Airport to Mumbai, but currently have to travel indirectly. Cost, time and productivity savings worth £9m a year will be unlocked.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“Here at Manchester Airport we’re proud to connect the North to the world – and that goes beyond just opening up exciting opportunities for travel.

“Our new partnership with IndiGo to launch the North’s only route to Mumbai will connect the region to one of the world’s most exciting cities – but also one of the world’s biggest financial capitals.

“That will help us deliver growth here in the North. It unlocks opportunities for the region’s businesses to trade with partners in Mumbai and India more widely as well as opening up the North as a travel destination for a huge number of new visitors.

“That will bring massive benefits for our tourism industry, the education sector and will help turbo charge the Government’s industrial strategy by boosting innovation and productivity in the sectors that will sit at the heart of the country’s future prosperity.

“This research really brings that home. This new route will bring a transformative sum of money into the economy - and it’s money in the pockets of people right here in the North of England.”    

There are already around 234,000 people who travel from Manchester Airport’s catchment to Mumbai every year. Roughly 70,000 of them flew through Manchester but indirectly.

It is estimated the new route will increase the overall number of people who travel between Manchester and Mumbai by 21,000 per year. This uplift will give rise to many of the economic benefits identified by researchers.

Leading experts from the worlds of business, politics and tourism have backed the potential impact of the new service, which launched yesterday.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: 

 “This new route by India’s flagship airline to Manchester – the first to anywhere in Europe – will mean families and businesses in the North of England are more connected to India and is further proof that our landmark trade deal with India is delivering for both countries.

 “It is yet another example of the close relationship we share with our Indian partners and this direct flight will create opportunities for even more British and Indian firms to make use of our trade agreement, ushering in more money and jobs as part of our Plan for Change.”

VisitBritain CEO Patricia Yates said:

“The new IndiGo route from Mumbai to Manchester is fantastic news for holidaymakers and business visitors alike. India is an incredibly important inbound tourism market for us and growing airline connectivity and seat capacity into key regional gateways including Manchester is crucial to our competitive tourism offer to visitors and to our welcome.

“We are forecasting record spend from our visitors from India this year, almost £1 billion, and this new direct route acts as a gateway to the North West and beyond, making it easier for visitors to explore more and spreading the economic benefits of tourism across our nations and regions.” 

Vishakha Yaduvanshi, Manchester’s Consul General of India

"The launch of IndiGo’s direct flight between Manchester and Mumbai represents a major step forward in enhancing connectivity between India and the North of England.

“This direct link offers a faster, more convenient travel option for business travelers, tourists, and the vibrant Indian diaspora in the region. By cutting travel times and eliminating the need for connecting flights, it opens the door to stronger economic partnerships, deeper educational ties, and richer cultural exchanges."

Stockport MP Navendu Mishra said:

"I am delighted that the first direct flight from Manchester to India is taking off this Tuesday, marking a historic milestone as Manchester becomes the first and only Northern airport with a direct connection to India.

“This is the result of years of campaigning, and I’m proud to see this new route finally come to fruition. It will bring significant benefits to Greater Manchester and the wider North of England- strengthening business ties, supporting our Indian diaspora, and creating new educational and cultural opportunities.

“Manchester Airport continues to play a vital role in both our local and national economy. As the third largest airport in the UK and a major employer in my constituency of Stockport, this expansion in connectivity is a very welcome step."

Henri Murison, Chief Executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said:

 “The launch of this new route is a major boost for the North’s international connectivity. It will make it easier for Northern businesses to access key markets, support our universities and research institutions in deepening international partnerships, and broaden cultural and family ties.

 "IndiGo’s choice of Greater Manchester as the productivity growth capital of the UK for its first long-haul service to Europe highlights the strength of our region’s offer and the growing global importance of the broader Northern economy. Building stronger links with India is a smart strategic move, and this route to Manchester Airport puts the North in a stronger position to seize the opportunities that come with it.”

Joe Manning Managing Director at MIDAS, Manchester's inward investment agency, said:

“IndiGo launching their debut European service from Manchester is a fantastic endorsement of our city-region. For India's leading carrier to select us for their first long-haul expansion demonstrates real confidence in the North West's potential.

 “This route will transform connectivity for our substantial Indian community while creating great opportunities for businesses and universities. With the UK-India free trade agreement and the new Indian Consulate in Greater Manchester, we're ideally placed to attract Indian investment and generate employment across our key growth sectors with the new direct route.”

Matthias Sinner, Head of Tourism at McArthurGlen Group, which develops, owns and manages 23 designer outlet centres across Europe and North America, including Cheshire Oaks, said:

“India is a key focus market for McArthurGlen, with the number of visitors to our centres seeing strong double-digit growth year-on-year in 2024.

“Having a direct link from Mumbai to Manchester will create even more opportunities to welcome tourists from this region to our shopping destinations in the UK and Europe.”

IndiGo’s new service between Manchester Airport and Mumbai launched on Tuesday, 1 July. IndiGo is India’s biggest airline but this is its first long haul route and its entry into the European market. IndiGo is also launching a route between Mumbai and Amsterdam today (2 July).

Manchester Airport is the UK’s global gateway in the North. Serving more than 31m passengers per year and operating over 200 routes with upwards of 50 different airlines, it is the UK’s third biggest airport overall and the biggest outside London.

In 2015 the airport began an ambitious £1.3bn, decade-long transformation programme. Now reaching its final stages, the programme has seen the opening of the airport’s brand-new Terminal 2 – which will become the main hub of the airport serving around 70% of its passengers from next year.  

The new super-terminal has already won the prestigious Prix Versailles for architecture and design, even before it is full open. Later this year new parts of the terminal will open to the public – including a range of new shops, bars, cafes and restaurants in the departure lounge. That follows the opening of new check-in areas and a new security hall earlier this year.

The Travel Trade Community will give those who sign up access to regular e-newsletters featuring current trade and airline news and updates on all things Manchester Airport, including the airport’s Transformation Programme and redevelopment of Terminal 2, as well as new lounge products, security process updates, and new retail, food and beverage options as they open.

Members will also get first option on special events, airline and airport tours, along with access to competitions, incentives, training videos and a range of networking opportunities. Manchester Airport’s route network is unmatched in the North, with more than 200 destinations served by around 50 airlines.

Driving the Travel Trade Community is Emily Lockwood, recently appointed into the newly-created role of Travel Trade Manager within Manchester Airport’s Commercial team. Emily, whose previous roles have included Brand Manager and Senior Product Development Manager positions in the Aviation and Adventure Travel industries, is tasked with acting as a primary point of contact for Travel Trade partners. She will focus on fostering further collaboration between the airport and travel industry professionals, to help broaden the horizons of travellers planning their next trip.

Emily said:

"I'm thrilled to get started in my new role, focusing on building strong, collaborative relationships across the travel trade to champion Manchester Airport’s growth. With over a decade of experience in the travel industry, I’m looking forward to exploring new ways to connect and create standout events that showcase our network and exceptional airline partners.

“One of those initiatives is the Travel Trade Community and we’re excited to be launching this new service for travel agents and professionals working within the travel trade, giving them the inside track on the latest developments in a big year for the airport.

“Next month we gain our first direct route to Mumbai with IndiGo and we expect more route launch announcements in the near future. On top of that, we’re coming to the conclusion of our £1.3bn transformation programme, creating a world-class experience for our passengers.

“We’re proud of our role in connecting people from across the North with the places they want to travel to. We know our industry partners share that passion and they play a vital role in helping our passengers find the inspiration for their next trip, which is why our new Travel Trade Community is geared towards giving those partners the information and support they need to help make those customers’ wishes a reality."

If you’re interested in joining Manchester Airport’s Travel Trade Community, you can sign up online at www.manchesterairport.co.uk/travel-trade-home/. The airport is also launching trade-specific channels on Facebook and Instagram, with the handle @manchesterairporttrade. For travel trade queries, please contact traveltrade@manchesterairport.co.uk. 

Manchester Airport and IndiGo – India’s biggest airline – announced a three-times-a-week service to India’s financial capital, Mumbai, that will launch from 1 July.

The route comes on the back of the announcement of a new trade deal between India and the UK and has been backed to supercharge growth in the North through business and trade connections with the world’s fastest-growing economy.

Data from Visit Britain shows that 19% of all visitors to the UK from India come for business travel – and that they spend an average of £2,273 per visit. But only 8% of visitors to the UK from India come to the North West, compared to 43% going to London and 13% to the South East.

The new route is predicted to boost the region’s share of visitors from India and provide benefits to businesses, universities and cultural institutions across the North West.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: 

“This new route will mean families and businesses in the North of England are more connected to India, which is great to see as we prepare to sign a landmark trade deal that will deliver billions for the UK economy and wages every year.

 “Our Plan for Change is already helping hundreds of businesses export to this fast-growing market, and this direct flight will create opportunities for even more firms to make use of our trade agreement once it comes into force, ushering in more money and jobs for the local economy.”

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“Here at Manchester Airport we’re proud to connect the North to the World. Our route network of more than 200 destinations with 50 airlines is the best outside London and provides our passengers with unrivalled choice, flexibility and value.

“But our global connections have a deeper benefit to the region and the country as a whole and this new route to Mumbai with IndiGo is a great example of that.

“It will allow businesses to do deals and form partnerships with companies and customers in the world’s fastest growing economy. This will benefit companies right here in the region and helps level the playing field with the south.

“It will also attract more businesses to the area and bring more jobs. Ultimately, all these things add up to prosperity; more money in people’s pockets here in the North of England.

“I’m proud we are able to play our part in that and I’m looking forward to the route launching in just a matter of weeks.”

The announcement comes just weeks after the UK and India signed a historic trade agreement that is expected to boost bilateral trade between the two countries by as much as £25.5bn a year by 2040.

It also follows the opening of a new Indian Consulate in Manchester earlier this year, which means people accessing consular services from the area no longer need to travel to Birmingham.

All these developments follow years of coordinated engagement between Greater Manchester and India, through Manchester India Partnership (MIP), a public-private group of organisations set up in 2017.

Simon Arora, Chair of the Manchester India Partnership, said: 

“We know the vital role direct connectivity has in furthering cultural, economic and educational ties between destinations and that is why this direct route to Mumbai is so important.

“It will build on the existing strong connections we have developed between Greater Manchester and India over many years, and comes at an exciting time, with a new UK-India trade deal having been secured and a summer of celebrations ahead of us - not least the momentous England vs India cricket series.”

Councillor Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Combined Authority portfolio lead for economy, business and inclusive growth, said:

“The creation of this regular route between Mumbai and Manchester is a big moment. It will open up a wealth of opportunities for the city and wider region's businesses and residents.

“This new route can only enhance our strong and growing links with India to help attract investment, jobs and spending from business and tourism visitors as well as promoting cultural exchanges.”

Vishakha Yaduvanshi, Manchester’s Consul General of India, said:  

“The launch of IndiGo’s direct service between Manchester and Mumbai marks a significant milestone in deepening the strong and enduring ties between Manchester and India.

“This direct air link not only makes travel more convenient for business, tourism, and the vibrant Indian diaspora in the North of England, but also strengthens the economic, educational, and cultural bridges that already connects us.

“It is a timely step forward in enhancing connectivity, fostering closer people-to-people exchanges, and unlocking new opportunities for collaboration across sectors.”

Joanne Purves, Pro Vice Chancellor Partnerships & Global Engagement at the University of Salford:

“The University of Salford has over 26,000 students from every corner of the globe, including 1,400 from India. Our growing student numbers mean that an efficient international transport network is crucial to our connectivity.

“At Salford we truly value globalisation and prepare our students to thrive in an interconnected world, so it is great to see IndiGo will be offering a direct route from Mumbai to Manchester. This new service will support our Indian students, giving them confidence to travel with ease and helping them stay connected to their friends and family back home.”

Victoria Braddock, Managing Director at Marketing Manchester, said:

“The new route from Mumbai to Manchester with IndiGo is a much-needed connection that will unlock fantastic opportunities to strengthen the ties between our region and India. Marketing Manchester has been working hard to engage the market through travel trade, media, and partnerships, and it has been a priority in our internationalisation strategy to secure this route since 2018.

“Visitors will benefit from Manchester’s position as a Global Gateway to the North of England, with access to multiple destinations from one city-region. India is a key market for Greater Manchester’s visitor economy, already welcoming 21,000 visitors and contributing £7.8m to the local economy annually. This new route will offer a boost to visitor numbers, and an opportunity to grow tourism, trade, and investment between the two regions.”

Joe Manning, Managing Director at MIDAS, Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency, said:

 “This direct Mumbai route comes at a great time for our city-region, following the recent UK-India trade deal. The new connectivity will drive growth in the North West and boost job creation by removing the barriers of a non-direct route, for Indian companies considering Greater Manchester for their European operations.

 “Combined with India's new consulate in Greater Manchester, we're perfectly positioned to capitalise on improved trade relations and attract high-level investments that will create skilled jobs across the North West in sectors like fintech, advanced manufacturing and technology.”

The service will be IndiGo’s first to Europe and will be shortly followed by a connection to Amsterdam. It adds to Manchester Airport’s route network of more than 200 destinations and cements its status not only as the UK’s global gateway in the North but as one of Europe’s most well-connected airports.

It reflects the strong cultural ties between the North and India, with more than 500,000 people of Indian heritage living within two hours of Manchester Airport, and illustrates the attractiveness of the region as a destination.

Tickets for the new service went on sale today. The service will run three times per week on Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

The service will be IndiGo’s first Europe and will be shortly followed by a connection to Amsterdam. It adds to Manchester Airport’s route network of more than 200 destinations and cements its status not only as the UK’s global gateway in the North but as one of Europe’s most well-connected airports.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“Here at Manchester Airport we are proud to connect the North to the world – that is why we are delighted to be announcing this new direct service to Mumbai, and to welcome IndiGo to the UK.

“This route makes us the only Northern airport with a direct connection to India and cements our position as one of Europe’s best-connected airports. It will link the region to the world’s fastest growing economy, opening up even stronger trade and investment opportunities.

“It will connect half a million people with Indian heritage who live in Manchester Airport’s catchment area to family and friends, and it will capitalise on the wide-ranging cultural and economic ties that exist.

“It also comes at a really exciting time for relations between India and the North of England – with a new consulate having opened in Manchester this year and a number of key cultural, sporting, social and economic partnerships being agreed in recent months. And on top of that we have this summer’s England vs India Test series to look forward to.

“It’s great to see tickets for this exciting route going on sale and I’m really looking forward to welcoming the first passengers in the summer."

Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo, said:

“IndiGo’s long-haul foray marks a pivotal moment in our global expansion journey.  We are very proud as well as excited to open the sale of our first long-haul service connecting Mumbai with Manchester, a very special route in many ways. Celebrating India and its unique cuisine, we’re thrilled to announce that specially crafted complimentary hot meals and beverages, by iconic home-grown Indian brands, will be served to all our customers on this route.  

“The new route will provide seamless connection to a vast majority of 90+ Indian destinations on IndiGo’s domestic network benefiting customers travelling from Manchester to Mumbai. This service by IndiGo will thereby further enhance connectivity between India and the UK, fostering stronger economic, educational, and cultural ties. Beyond supporting the growing Indian diaspora in the region, these direct flights are expected to boost two-way tourism, ease travel for students, professionals and leisure travellers, and unlock new avenues for bilateral trade and collaboration between the two countries.

“We look forward to a strong and synergistic partnership with Manchester airport, to be able to serve our customers well. This significant step underscores our commitment to becoming an airline of truly global scale and stature and contributing towards transforming India into a global aviation hub.” 

IndiGo is India’s biggest airline. Last year it served more than 118m passengers across its network of more than 90 destinations in India and 40 international destinations. It has a fleet of more than 400 aircraft.

Travellers going between Manchester and Mumbai will enjoy complimentary hot meals on-board and can choose between an economy service and the airline’s new IndiGoStretch service, which is aimed at business travellers.

Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay, is the financial capital of India and one of the most populous cities in the world. Located on the west coast along the Arabian Sea, Mumbai is the centre of the Hindi film industry and a thriving hub for commerce, fashion, and entertainment.

The famous honeycomb light feature in Terminal 2 is bathing the Departures lounge in red, with more than 30 charter lights set to depart on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, transporting fans to Bilbao ahead of the final – where Ruben Amorim’s men will take on Tottenham Hotspur. 

The airport is encouraging fans to ensure they are well prepared ahead of their journey to northern Spain, by allowing plenty of time for their journey to the airport, ensuring they have their documents prepared and their hand luggage packed in accordance with security rules, as well as having plans in place for their return journeys.

Jennifer Byrne-Smith, Customer Operations Director at Manchester Airport, said: 

“We’re proud to connect Manchester to the world and look forward to welcoming thousands of Manchester United to our airport this week. It’s wonderful to see them competing in a major European final once again.

“We’re working closely with partners including the football club, airlines and Greater Manchester Police to ensure fans get their trip off to the best possible start, and hopefully the team can bring the trophy home with them.

“Please allow plenty of time for your journey to the airport, keep an eye on service updates if you are travelling here via public transport, check which terminal you’re travelling from and arrive here at the earliest time your airline recommends.

“We’re aware that many fans will only be staying one or two days, so will, in many cases, only take hand luggage. It’s important you make sure that your hand luggage complies with the 100ml rule on liquids, gels and pastes, to avoid any issues at security.

“Many of the return charter flights from Bilbao will arrive back in the small hours of Thursday – if this includes your flight, please ensure you’ve made plans for how you’ll get home.

“If you’re being dropped off at the airport, you can use our new barrierless drop off areas – these make the experience faster and more seamless – just remember to pay for using the area online or over the phone by midnight the following day. Free drop-off is also available at JetParks1, with a short bus shuttle to all three terminals.”

The May Day bank holiday sits in what is known as the ‘shoulder season’ – the periods either side of the school summer holidays when traditional favourites like Mallorca and Alicante are fully open and the weather is good, but prices are lower than when children are not in school.

It means it is a popular weekend for couples with dual-incomes and no kids – so-called DINKs – to go away.

Over the course of the bank holiday weekend, more than 100,000 people are set to fly into or out of Manchester Airport every day – a total of 416,000 people taking advantage of the UK’s global gateway in the North.

Dublin, Amsterdam and Dubai are set to be the three most popular destinations, partly driven by their onward connectivity with people set to stop there and continue onwards to far-flung destinations in Asia, the Americas and Africa.

The rest of the top 10 is made up of Alicante, Antalya, Mallorca, Dalaman, Barcelona, Paris and Tenerife.

Jennifer Byrne-Smith, Customer Operations Director at Manchester Airport, said:

“Here at Manchester Airport we’re proud to connect the North to the world. Our route network of more than 200 destinations served by 50 airlines is the best of any airport outside London and means that we offer unrivalled choice, value and flexibility for passengers in the region.

“And that’s why we’re going to see so many passengers travelling through the airport this weekend. That choice means that if you’re looking to grab a bargain outside the school holidays, there’s something for all tastes available from Manchester Airport.

“We’ll see thousands of people heading to traditional favourites like Alicante and Mallorca but we’re also expecting more than 5,000 people to fly to New York, another 5,000 will go to Orlando, 2,500 will go to Beijing and 1,200 will go to Bridgetown.

“We can’t wait to welcome people this weekend and are looking forward to helping them start their holidays here at the UK’s global gateway in the North.”

Manchester Airport has set out its top tips for travellers looking to start their holidays in style this weekend:

1.      Travel light – if you’re only going away for the weekend, take advantage of being able to pack less as it will save you money and time

2.      If you have hold baggage and live locally, check to see if your airline offers a day-before bag drop service. You’ll be able to park at the airport for free and drop your hold baggage off the night before meaning when you come to the airport the following day you can go straight to security

3.      Check-in online if you can – this will save lots of time at the airport

4.      Consider booking either our TimeSlot or Fast Track services. TimeSlot is available on all flights from Terminal 3 and lets you choose a time to go to security meaning shorter queues. Fast Track is available in all terminals and allows you to use a dedicated security lane that will get you to the departure lounge faster

5.      If you want to treat yourself, consider booking to use aether – our private terminal which is available as an upgrade to passengers flying with any airline

6.      If you’re being dropped off at the airport you can use our new barrierless drop off areas – these make the experience faster and more seamless – just remember to pay for using the area online or over the phone by midnight the following day

7.      If you live locally, why not use the Bee Network to get to the airport? Manchester Airport is the only UK airport with a dedicated train, tram and bus station and it is all connected to the Bee Network so people in Greater Manchester can tap in locally and tap off at the airport

Demand for travel form the UK’s global gateway in the North continues to grow – with the Easter holidays bringing in the busiest days of the year so far. More than 107,000 passengers travelled though Manchester Airport last Friday with a similar number expected today (11 April).

The busiest destinations in March were Amsterdam and Dublin – but this month holiday hotspots like Alicante, Mallorca and Tenerife are surging in popularity as the travel industry’s summer season kicks off in earnest.

Manchester Airport has extra staff in place help make sure that customer service levels remain high even with more passengers passing through. Last month 85% of passengers waited for less than five minutes to get to security and 99.8% waited less than 15 minutes.

The airport’s decade-long, £1.3bn transformation programme will be complete later this year. That will see the full opening of its brand-new Terminal 2, which will become the centre of gravity for the whole airport, catering for around 70% of all its passengers.

It will also see a host of other improvements coming online – including things like a new digital gantry above World Way as drivers arrive at the airport and the barrierless system that has been installed at drop-off and pick-up zones at all three terminals and the train, tram and bus station.

The new digital gantry provides live information and directions to traffic arriving, while the barrierless system at pick-up and drop off zones means drivers will no longer have to queue to leave the areas removing the risk of that causing them to be charged for staying longer.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“Here at Manchester Airport we’re proud to connect the North to the World – and that means making sure people can get to the places they want to go.

“Our route network of more than 200 destinations via 50 airlines is clearly doing that and we’re seeing more and more passengers taking advantage of our status as the UK’s global gateway in the North every month.

“We have an exciting year ahead with the completion of our transformation programme not only bringing about the full opening of our world-class new Terminal 2, but also a whole range of other improvements like the digital gantry on World Way.

“Customer service is really important to us so it’s fantastic that 85% of passengers barely had to wait to get to security last month. We’re aiming to maintain fantastic levels of service over the summer months and things like the new gantry and our barrierless pick-up and drop-off zones are a part of that.

“I can’t wait to welcome all of our passengers this summer and help them start their holidays here at Manchester Airport.”

The new barrierless system was put in place at the pick-up and drop-off zones around the airport in a phased approach at the end of March and start of April. The system works via a camera system recognising a vehicle’s number plates.

Drivers who use the zones have until midnight the day after their visit to pay via a website or on the phone. Those who do not pay in time will face a fine.

Manchester Airport’s 10 year, £1.3bn transformation programme is coming to a conclusion this year. When it is complete the airport’s brand-new Terminal 2, which has already won the UNESCO-backed Prix Versailles for architecture and design, will have doubled in size.

Work to finish that element of the project is ongoing – including fitting out more than 20 new shops, bars, restaurants and cafes like the airport’s new Chanel store, its first JD Wetherspoon pub and its exciting new Great Northern Market eating concept.

There have also been developments on the airfield to make it more efficient and plans are underway to make some changes to Terminal 3.

Last month the airport also announced a number of new routes including a service to India with IndiGo. It makes Manchester Airport the only airport in the North with a direct route to India – the world’s fastest growing major economy. 

Last Friday (4 April) was the busiest day of the year so far at the UK’s global gateway in the North, with 107,000 passengers travelling through – and those numbers are set to be equalled or even topped this Friday and next Monday, as families get away on an Easter break.  

Around 1.7m passengers will use the airport between 4 April and 21 April – with the most popular destinations including holiday hotspots like Alicante, Antalya, Tenerife and Mallorca, as well as city break favourites like Amsterdam, Dublin, Paris and Barcelona. Making up the top 10 are Dubai and Doha, with great connections on to long-haul destinations like Australia, New Zealand and the Far East. 

Manchester Airport is ready for the influx of travellers, with extra staff in place across all areas of the airport – including its resilience team, trained in a range of roles so that they can step in if issues arise. 

So far this year, 98% of passengers have waited 15 minutes or less to get to security – meaning they are able to get to the departure lounges more quickly and relax ahead of their flights.  

And to help make sure passengers can enjoy their time at the airport and relax ahead of their trips, the airport has given some advice to travellers.  

Jennifer Byrne-Smith, Manchester Airport’s Customer Operations Director, said: 

“Here at Manchester Airport we’re proud to connect the North to the World and we have an exciting summer ahead of us. We are concluding our 10-year transformation programme that has created a world-class passenger experience in Terminal 2 and are celebrating a host of new routes and more flights than ever before to our most popular holiday hotspots. 

“The Easter holidays mark the start of the busiest time of year for us so we’re well prepared and ready to deliver a great experience for our passengers.  

“But there are some things passengers can do themselves both before they come to the airport and while they’re here to make sure they have a stress-free trip.  

“That starts right when you’re booking your trip – think about when you want to travel and whether you could get a bargain and come to the airport at a quieter time by travelling outside the school holidays or checking to see if your children’s school holidays fall outside the normal dates, as is often the case for Manchester schools during the May half term. 

“Make sure you pack as light as you can and roll your clothes up rather than folding them as this saves valuable space and could mean you can travel with hand baggage rather than hold baggage and save you money.  

“And take advantage of everything we offer here at Manchester Airport. That includes using day-before bag drop services, booking your parking if you need it – or making use of the fact that we’re the only airport in the country with a dedicated train, tram and bus station – arranging free assistance if you have mobility needs or other disabilities, and, if you want to really elevate your time at the airport, booking one of our premium lounges. 

“We also have out Little Flyers Zone in Terminal 1, which has a play area for younger travellers and a range of activities over the Easter holidays. 

“We’re looking forward to welcoming you if you’re travelling this summer and to helping you start your holidays here at Manchester Airport.”  

Here are Manchester Airport’s top tips for a great airport experience:     

Think carefully about when you want to travel 

Be flexible with your booking dates if you can. If you are not travelling with school aged children, you can find better deals available either side of the school summer holidays, in June and September, when the weather in the most popular bucket-and-spade destinations will still be sunny. 

If you are travelling with school aged children, check to see if your children’s school holidays are outside the dates for other schools. This is particularly relevant for some Manchester schools that have one week for the Easter break and then two weeks at the end of May and start of June for the Whit holiday. Often the second week of the May/June break is outside normal holiday times and there are bargains available. 

Certain days of the week are cheaper to fly than others – you can generally find that better value fares are available midweek rather than at the weekend. The time of day can make a difference too. 

Package deals can offer great value for money along with the peace of mind that comes with ATOL protection, but they might not always give you a lot of flexibility to explore your destination in your own way. Shop around to find the option that best suits your needs. 

Make the most of your space 

When packing for a summer holiday, particularly if you are travelling as a family, it is easy to end up with a dizzying list of items you need to take. Thinking in advance about what you might be able to buy at the airport or in your destination, beach accessories and toiletries, for example, will help you save space and money. 

Packing versatile clothes that you can combine to create several different outfits is a great way to limit the amount that you have to pack. Rolling up your clothes, rather than folding them, also saves space and stops your clothes from creasing. 

Book parking and any assistance you need in advance  

If you require any assistance at the airport, with mobility for example, arrange this with your airline at least 48 hours before the date of travel. Your airline or travel agent will take all necessary information from you regarding your needs and travel plans and will inform the Special Assistance team at the airport. Find out more here: www.manchesterairport.co.uk/help/special-assistance/.  

If you are travelling to the airport by car, it is also worth considering booking your parking in advance to get the best deal. There are a range of official parking options to suit all budgets – with the best deals to be had in the JetParks car parks, a short shuttle bus ride away from the terminals. Parking in the multi-storey car parks next to the terminals is also available for added convenience. You can review the full range of options at www.manchesterairport.co.uk/parking.  

Passengers are reminded that a new barrierless drop-off and pick-up system is now in operation. The barrierless system will improve the overall experience for both drivers and passengers by streamlining the process. Users can pay by visiting pay.manchesterairport.co.uk or by calling 0345 901 3318, up to midnight on the day following their visit. There is no change to the existing charges.

Leave plenty of time for your journey to the airport 

Public transport and the road network will be busy during the summer months – so make sure you factor-in enough time to allow for any potential delays or diversions on your way to the airport. 

Most airlines recommend that you aim to arrive two hours ahead of departure for a short-haul flight or three hours for a long-haul flight – but that may vary depending on your airline, so make sure you check before setting off. 

Consider day-before bag drop services if you live nearby 

A number of airlines including TUI, Ryanair, easyJet, Jet2.com and Virgin Atlantic offer a free day-before or ‘twilight’ bag drop service on eligible flights. This allows you to come to the airport and check in your hold luggage the evening before you travel – so you can go straight to security on the morning of your flight and avoid queueing up to drop your bags. You can even get up to an hour’s free parking at the airport if you're taking advantage of this service – so if you live nearby or are staying at an airport hotel the night before you travel, it is well worth doing. 

Take advantage of airport lounges 

All three terminals at Manchester Airport offer an Escape Lounge, from £31.99 per person – accessible up to three hours before your flight departure. Escape gives you cosy corners if you want to sit back and relax, and social areas if you want to chat. It also boasts a complimentary bar and buffet food service.  

The 1903 lounge in Terminal 2 offers an elevated experience, with food cooked to order or a premium buffet and self-service drinks selection and sweeping airfield views. 1903 can be booked from just £50.99 per person. 

Keep children entertained – with the airport’s help 

If you are travelling as a family, it is worth packing toys or puzzle books to keep your children entertained as you wait for your flight. Those travelling through Terminal 1 over the Easter school holidays might also want to pay a visit to the Little Flyers Zone, a free to use, interactive play area for primary school aged children in the departure lounge. Little Flyers Club branded giveaways will be running throughout the school holidays, with goodies including booklets, stickers and crayons to keep the kids amused as families settle into their seats for take-off. 

By Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe

On a Saturday earlier this month, around 45,000 people flew out of Manchester Airport. That’s a lot but it’s pretty normal for this time of year.

Among them were over a thousand people from Yorkshire, a similar number from Merseyside, as well as people from Midlands, the North East and many other parts of the UK.

Again, all pretty normal, but reflective of our role as the UK’s global gateway in North: an airport anyone in the North can call their own, from Bradford to Burnley and Salford to Sheffield.

But there was one group of passengers who really summed up what we mean when we say we are proud to connect the North.

It was a delegation of Mayors and representatives from Northern cities and regions, all coming through Manchester Airport as they headed out to showcase the region in China.

That follows a similar mission just a few days earlier to Austin, Texas, where regional Mayors and representatives from Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Tees Valley, the North East Combined Authority and Liverpool City Region went to the South By South West  (SXSW) 2025 festival in Austin, Texas, to showcase the North of England as a hub of innovation, collaboration and creativity.

Connecting the North is at the heart of everything we do here. We connect the people of the North to the places they want to go, and we connect the region as a whole to the markets that will help accelerate its growth.

While they were out in China, the Mayoral delegation showcased the region to investors, stimulating opportunities for trade and forging partnerships that will bring growth, jobs and prosperity here to the region.

All of that is made possible by connectivity, and sits at the heart of why helping airports realise their potential has been recognised by this Government as a key enabler of growth.

For example, we know that when a route from Manchester to Beijing was first launched, export values from Manchester Airport to China grew 41% to £1.29bn and enquiries about investment in the area from China doubled in the two years that followed – and it’s missions like this that help drive that.

I’m not about to say that this group wouldn’t have been able to travel to China were it not for Manchester Airport. But we are the only UK airport outside London to offer direct flights to both Shanghai and Beijing and that means this group was able to get to China easily from an airport on their doorsteps.

And that’s something an increasing number of people are now able to do. Since 2023 the number of direct seats to China from Manchester Airport has gone up by almost 250%.

This means those they will be speaking to will not see barriers in the way if they choose to invest in the North. Combined with the vision for a high-speed east-west rail network with Manchester Airport at its heart, they will see a globally competitive economic region – an economy the size of a mid-sized European country.

That’s what connectivity is all about. We’re on a mission here to make connectivity easier and more seamless. That’s why we’re investing £1.3bn in making this airport better, through our decade long transformation programme that concludes this year.

That programme is most visible in our Terminal 2 – where the delegation flew from – with its award-winning architecture and world class facilities. But probably the most important thing about the programme isn’t what it’s doing already but what it will do in future.

Our historic investment will unlock the full potential of our two runways and help increase the number of passengers we serve each year from 30m now to 50m by 2050.

That means we can offer more flights to more places – including places we don’t serve already – and continue to connect the North to the world.

And in turn that means more missions like this can get to more places around the world and build those connections that drive growth – and put money in the pockets of people right here in the North.

That’s why being proud to connect the North isn’t just a line we say – it really matters. It isn’t just about travel, it’s about opportunities.

The switch to a new barrierless drop-off and pick-up system will improve the overall experience for both drivers and passengers by streamlining the process. By removing the existing barriers, drivers will pass through more smoothly without the need to stop on exit, helping reduce congestion and helping people avoid increased charges as a result of having to wait to leave the zones.

The new technology will be managed through an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system like that already in use at some other UK airports and familiar settings like bridges and tunnels.

Cameras will identify cars by their registration number and automatically record who has used the pick-up or drop-off zone. Rather than stopping at a barrier and paying as they leave the area, drivers will leave and then pay the charge by midnight the following day. They can do this online or over the phone.

The barrierless system will be in place at the pick-up and drop-off zones in all three of the airport’s terminals as well as it the train, tram and bus station.

The new system will go live in a phased approach at each location between 26 March and 2 April. Signs on approach to each zone will advise people of the steps they need to take.

There will be no change to the existing charges. No payments will be made when exiting the zones.

Once a driver has used a zone they will have until midnight the next day to pay. Frequent users, including taxi drivers, will be able to set up an auto-pay account.

People will be able to pay by visiting pay.manchesterairport.co.uk or by calling 0345 901 3318. Both the phone line and the website for paying the charges will go live shortly before the barriers are removed and will be clearly signposted at the zones.

More than 800,000 of the month’s passengers travelled during the school holiday, a surge driven by people taking advantage of the first break of the year to seek sunshine in places like Tenerife, Alicante and Dubai.

The 2,012,134 passengers recorded in February is 5.9% up on last year – the previous best February on record.

The successful month sets the scene for what is set be another record-breaking year for the UK’s global gateway in the North – which will be further boosted by the announcement of a new route to India launching with the country’s biggest airline IndiGo in the summer.

It will make Manchester the only airport in the North with a direct route to India – the world’s fastest growing major economy. With more than 500,000 people with Indian heritage living within two hours’ drive of Manchester Airport, it is likely to be popular, as well as being a catalyst for trade, tourism and investment.

February also saw Manchester Airport delivering consistent good service to passengers, with 98% of passengers waiting less than 15 minutes to get to security – and over three quarters getting to security in under five minutes.

 Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“Here at Manchester Airport, we are proud to connect the North to the world – so delivering a great service for our passengers during school holidays is really important to us.

“We’ve just recorded our busiest February on record – more than 2m passengers – and that was driven by people putting their faith in us during half-term.

“And I’m happy to say that we delivered. Most of our passengers waited less than five minutes to get to security – that’s the kind of seamless experience we know families really value and helps them start their holidays at the airport.

“It’s set to be an exciting year. We’re looking forward to the completion of our £1.3bn transformation programme and the full opening of our brand-new, world-class Terminal 2, which will become the airport’s main terminal and serve around 70% of our passengers.

“On top of that we’re continuing to add the new routes that people in the region want. Our new partnership with IndiGo means we’re the only Northern airport with a direct connection to India.

“We already serve more than 200 different destinations with 50 airlines, but India is a fantastic addition. Not only is it an incredible place to visit and the world’s fastest growing economy, but it’s a great connection for the half a million people of Indian heritage who live within two hours of the airport.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to deliver for our passengers over the rest of 2025 and beyond.”

 The most popular destinations during February were:

Dubai – 88,881 passengers

Dublin – 88,191 passengers

 Amsterdam – 87,172 passengers

Tenerife – 79,572 passengers

Paris (Charles De Gaulle) – 61,698 passengers

The most popular destinations during half term were:

Dublin – 33,031 passengers

Tenerife – 32,859 passengers

Dubai – 32,842 passengers

Amsterdam – 32,690 passengers

Alicante – 23,745 passengers

IndiGo’s new route between Manchester and India will launch three times per week in the summer. The airline will announce further details – including the exact destination in India – in the coming weeks.

Manchester Airport’s 10 year, £1.3bn transformation programme is coming to a conclusion this year. When it is complete the airport’s brand-new Terminal 2, which has already won the UNESCO-backed Prix Versailles for architecture and design, will have doubled in size.

Work to finish that element of the project is ongoing – including fitting out more than 20 new shops, bars, restaurants and cafes like the airport’s new Chanel store, its first JD Wetherspoon pub and its exciting new Great Northern Market eating concept.

There have also been developments on the airfield to make it more efficient and plans are underway to make some changes to Terminal 3.

The airport is also introducing a new barrierless system at its pick-up and drop-off areas as part of its commitment to enhancing the passenger experience.

The switch will improve the overall experience for both drivers and passengers by streamlining the process. By removing the existing barriers, drivers will pass through more smoothly without the need to stop on exit, helping reduce congestion and improving traffic flow.

Cameras will identify cars by their registration number and automatically record who has used the pick-up or drop-off area. Rather than stopping at a barrier and paying as they leave the area, drivers will leave and then pay the charge by midnight the following day. They can do this over the phone or online.

The new system will come into operation in late March.

The annual event saw introductions made and deals struck between suppliers from Greater Manchester and Cheshire, and large regional employers like Manchester Airports Group (MAG), Holiday Inn & ibis budget, Bethell, Arup, and AmcoGiffen.

A range of workshops and presentations ran throughout the day, parallel to the event in the Runway Visitor Park’s main hangar – with almost 1,000 face to face appointments having taken place over the course of the event.

Martin Churley, Group Head of Environment & Sustainability at MAG, talked to delegates about Manchester Airport’s efforts to reduce its environmental impacts and the opportunities this presents for small and medium sized local businesses to secure contracts.

Mike Cunliffe, Work & Skills Lead at Manchester City Council, fronted a workshop on how businesses can deliver social value.

And in the afternoon, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce explained the services it offers to members and the benefits of joining, as well as offering insights into the regional business landscape.

Last year’s event at the same venue saw more than £6m-worth of deals struck and organisers are hopeful of a similar windfall for SMEs in the North this year.

"We are proud to connect the North – and that doesn’t just mean by linking people up with the places they want to travel to. In this case we’ve been able to connect local businesses with some of the biggest institutions in our region, and that can only be good for the regional economy. It was great to see so many brilliant and innovative businesses represented.”

Pete Lederer – Chief Operating Officer, Manchester Airport

“Manchester City Council is delighted to support the successful Manchester Airport Meet the Buyers event. This event is more than just a commercial opportunity; it’s a vital platform for fostering community connections and empowering local businesses, including SMEs.

“By facilitating meaningful interactions between Manchester-based businesses and a diverse range of suppliers, the event helps to strengthen the local economy and promote inclusive growth. It’s a key part of our City's Economic Strategy - Investing in Success, ensuring that the benefits of economic development are felt by all members of our community.”

Councillor John Hacking - Executive Member for Employment, Skills and Leisure, Manchester City Council

The event was also hailed as a success by a number of the local businesses and buyers in attendance;

“Meet the Buyers event was a fantastic opportunity to connect with industry leaders, and explore new business prospects. We are proud to be involved in such a valuable networking platform.”  

Jenine Milburn, Munihire

“It was a fantastic event, and we enjoyed collaborating and networking with likeminded individuals, benefitting both suppliers and buyers driving the industry forward.”

Ray Barnfield, Speedy Hire

“It is great to have the opportunity to connect, innovate and build great relationships with potential long-term clients.”

Patricia Pitkin, Paragon Stainless Steel

India’s biggest airline IndiGo has announced a service to Manchester will be one of its first two routes to Europe, alongside a connection to Amsterdam. Together, they are IndiGo’s first ever long-haul services.

Set to start in July, the Manchester route will be the only one connecting the North directly with the world’s fastest-growing major economy.

Business and political leaders today welcomed the news, saying it will make a major contribution to the government’s growth mission.

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, also MP for Stalybridge and Hyde, said:

"As a Manchester MP and UK Trade Secretary who returned from New Delhi last month having relaunched trade talks with India, I know this news will be hugely welcomed by businesses and visitors who can't wait to take advantage of easier, direct flights between India and the North.

"We in the UK are lucky to have a strong relationship with India underpinned by close personal connections and a £41billion trading relationship that will only grow larger thanks to closer connections such as this.

"I'm excited to see these new flight routes open up - a further sign of growth and confidence in the UK economy."

India is Greater Manchester's fastest growing partner country for service exports. These more than doubled across the period 2019-2022 and are now worth £337m to the Greater Manchester economy.

The news has also been welcomed by the Manchester India Partnership (MIP), a public-private body set up with the sole purpose of forging closer ties between the two places.

With members including Manchester Airport, Deloitte, Lancashire County Cricket Club, MIDAS and Marketing Manchester, it has staged a series of trade missions over many years, including as recently as November.

Manchester India Partnership Chair Simon Arora said:

"Securing a direct route between Manchester and India has been one of the MIP's top priorities for many years.

"That is because we understand the vital role connectivity has in unlocking economic, cultural and educational opportunities.

"The fact IndiGo has chosen Manchester for its first UK service underlines the strong connections that are already in place and the synergies between our economies.

"Everyone at MIP looks forward to that ties growing stronger and deeper once this exciting new route launches in the coming months."

The route was announced ahead of the opening of Manchester’s new Indian Consulate on Saturday. The consulate will mean people from India can access like passport services and more without having to travel to Birmingham.

Stockport MP and officer in the All Party Parliamentary Group for British Hindus Navendu Mishra said:

"I am thrilled by today’s announcement that Manchester is to become the first and only Northern airport with a direct connection to India.

“I have been campaigning for this direct route to India for several years and I welcome that this new connectivity will greatly benefit Greater Manchester and the wider North of England, strengthening business, diaspora, and educational links between Britain and India.

“With passenger numbers only growing, Manchester Airport plays a vital role in our local and national economy.

“As a major employer in my constituency of Stockport, and the third largest airport in Britain, I am delighted to see the network expanding and the connectivity improving."

The new connection was announced on Thursday. IndiGo is India’s biggest carrier and the launch of flights to Manchester and Amsterdam mark its first flights into Europe.

It cements Manchester Airport’s status as one of the fastest-growing airports in Europe and the UK’s global gateway in the North.

It also reflects the strong cultural ties between the North and India, with more than 500,000 people of Indian heritage living within two hours of Manchester Airport, and illustrates the attractiveness of the region as a destination.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“Here at Manchester Airport our mission is to connect the North with the world, helping people visit new places, connecting businesses with key global markets, and welcoming tourists and investors to our region.

“That is why I am proud that IndiGo – India’s biggest carrier – has chosen Manchester, alongside Amsterdam, as its first ever European destinations. 

"The news cements Manchester's position as one of Europe's fastest-growing airports - serving more than 30m passengers annually - and as the UK's global gateway in the North.

“This new service will be the only direct route to India from the North of the UK and will be popular with the more than half a million people with Indian heritage who live within Manchester Airport’s catchment area.

“We also know that connectivity is a key enabler of trade and productivity. By providing direct access to the world’s fastest-growing major economy, this route will deliver a significant boost to the government’s economic growth mission and comes on the back of positive progress towards a UK-India trade deal.

“It's an exciting time for relations between the North of England and India, with a new Indian Consulate opening in Manchester this weekend and a number of cultural, sporting, social and economic partnerships being agreed in recent months. For many years, the region has worked hard to create ever-closer ties with India and there is much on the horizon - including this summer's England vs India Test series.

“I look forward to welcoming IndiGo's team to Manchester, and the UK, and supporting their success and future growth."

 Pieter Elbers, Chief Executive Officer, IndiGo said:

“Today, we unlock a new and very exciting chapter in IndiGo's growth journey, connecting India to the heart of Europe. We're thrilled to announce our first-ever long-haul destinations - Manchester and Amsterdam.

“India has strong ties both with the United Kingdom and the Netherlands for business and tourism; and there is a large Indian diaspora who live in these countries. These new flights will benefit both our existing and potential customers who fly on these routes.

“These new IndiGo long-haul routes are steps towards inching closer to realising our shared vision to build India into a global aviation hub."

“The United Kingdom is an important market for us, and we're excited to announce direct flights between India and Manchester.”

Further details of the route will be announced in the coming weeks before tickets go on sale and the flights start to operate in the summer.