Airfield re-designated as part of Manchester Airport’s £1 billion transformation plans

As part of Manchester Airport’s £1 billion transformation programme, the airport has re-designated its airfield to build a dual taxiway system to improve the efficiencies of operations.

The UK’s third largest airport is currently building a dual taxiway system to improve access from its runways to the terminal.  The new taxiways will allow two Code E aircraft to pass each other. This is the first time the airfield has been re-designated in two decades.

The airfield has been re-designated to prepare for the introduction of these new parallel taxiways in 2020. A team of around 30 from the airport and principal contractor Allied Infrastructure and sub-contractor ATG Airports worked through the night to install 50 new signs on five sections of taxiway, one runway holding position and 11 intermediate hold positions. 

Manchester Airport is spending circa £110 million on optimising its airfield.  Work-to-date has included the creation of 11 new contact stands and three remote stands on Pier One of Terminal Two that opened in April 2019.  In addition to these works, Manchester Airport are also investing in the latest technology such as ‘Airport Collaborative Decision Making’ and advanced ground radar systems. Collectively these investments will drive operational efficiency by reducing congestion and delays.

Next year will see the completion of the airfield’s western apron with 10 new remote aircraft stands.

Rad Taylor, Operations Director at Manchester Airport, said:

The re-designation of the taxiways is a major milestone for the works that are continuing out on the airfield.  The changes will really benefit pilots and airfield drivers as more of the programme comes on stream.

“Lots of progress has been made out on the airfield in terms of new stands and taxiways and with more to come it will help improve the efficiency of the operation as our centre of gravity shifts towards Terminal Two.” 

Work on the £1 billion transformation programme continues at pace. The first passenger pier opened to passengers in April 2019 with the redeveloped terminal building set to open in Summer 2020.