JOIN IN MANCHESTER AIRPORT’S 75TH BIRTHDAY AT THE VISITOR PARK

Take to the skies and celebrate Manchester Airport’s 75th birthday at the Runway Visitor Park this Saturday, 14th September – 12pm to 6pm. 

This year sees Manchester Airport turn 75 and on September 14th a fun-filled party will be held at the Runway Visitor Park to mark the occasion. The event will take place from 12pm – 6pm and visitors are encouraged to come along in appropriate 1930s dress. Entry to the event is free, if arriving by foot or bus, or a full day’s car parking costs just £10.00 per car.

There will be plenty of fun for all the family including:

• Fun filled family day of action-packed aviation activity
• Air displays and fly pasts from vintage aircraft including the Lancaster Bomber
• Parachute display from The Ravens Skydive Team
• 1930s fancy dress competition
• Refuel with two tasty food outlets
• Children’s bouncy castle – separate charge applies
• See the what’s on page on www.runwayvisitorpark.co.uk for full information

On Saturday June 25th 1938, the airport was officially opened by an air display from the Royal Air Force by the command of Sir Kingsley Wood, his Majesty’s Secretary of State for Air. Operations began two days later and in the first 14 months, the airport handled 7,600 passengers, which is the equivalent of several hours work during the summer today. 

Event Information

Air Displays:

At intervals throughout the day there will be several fly pasts and displays of vintage aircraft including the legendary Lancaster Bomber, Hornet Moth, Dragon and Morane Sauline. These vintage planes date back to the 1930s and the Lancaster made its first ever flight out of Manchester Airport.

The Blades will also be taking to the skies and performing a stunning display over the Runway Visitor Park. Made up of former RAF Red Arrows pilots, The Blades are renowned worldwide for their close flying formation aerobatics to the highest level.

Parachute Display:

The Ravens seven man crew will perform a death defying display to mark the airport’s birthday and plunge from 5,000ft right into the Runway Visitor Park. Armed with birthday messages, flags and smoke, they will add a visually mesmerising display of colour to the celebrations.

Fancy Dress Competition:

As the airport officially opened in 1938, there will be a fancy dress competition to mark the era. Think flapper dresses, smart suits and fedoras! Why not don a vintage dress and you could bag a prize or two, including a guided tour of the legendary Concorde.

Plus Much More:

The Runway Visitor Park is home to five aircraft for you to explore* and discover, including the legendary Concorde. The park’s other aircraft are the Nimrod, the DC-10, Trident and the Avro RJX. The Runway Visitor Park is in a prime spot for incredible 180 degree views across the airfield. Sit or stand and take in hundreds of air movements each day with aircraft such as the giant Airbus A380 and the new Dreamliner departing and arriving.

It’s not all planes at the Runway Visitor Park – let your little ones blow off some steam in the purpose built play area. Also, why not visit the aviation shop as well, where all the family can find a perfect memento from their visit. After all that action and fun why not refuel in one of the two on site food outlets. 

          Andrew Cowan, (left) Chief Operating Officer for MAG, owners of Manchester
          Airport, said:
          “This year has been a significant milestone in our history as we reached our
          75th anniversary. It’s even more significant for us this year as we’ve completed
          a transformational increase in the size of the company having added London
          Stansted to our group of airports.

          “This summer, Manchester has surpassed 20m passengers again and we are
          the third largest airport in the UK, and we will begin to build our Airport City
          development this year, further cementing Manchester’s reputation as a
          European business destination. We’ve achieved much in our opening 75 years
          of existence and we’re well placed for an even brighter future.”

Manchester was the first city in Great Britain to establish a municipal aerodrome when an Air Ministry licence was granted to the Corporation on April 22nd 1929. In January 1934, an airline senior pilot claimed that the existing Barton site for Manchester was unsuitable and by July 1934 the City Council had chosen Ringway as a new home.  A Public Inquiry was held in October and the Government approved the site in February 1935.

For more information about the event, see www.runwayvisitorpark.co.uk