Manchester Airport marks year of work on final phase of £1.3 billion transformation

Significant progress has been made on the final phase of the £1.3 billion transformation of Manchester Airport since work started in January 2023.

The second and final phase focuses on the east side of Terminal 2, which will feature 27 new shops, bars and restaurants to be announced in the spring, as well as completion of Terminal 2’s second pier. Construction started on the pier in June 2023, and will double capacity for aircraft at Manchester Airport, including for the largest Airbus A380 passenger jets.

Significant work on the airfield was carried out starting in August 2023, including the installation of a subterranean aviation fuel pipe and the beginning of work to create a new more efficient dual taxiway.

The first phase of the project started with the opening of the west side of the brand-new Terminal 2 – which has already won a prestigious design award, the Prix Versailles, which recognised it as one of the most beautiful airport buildings in the world. Passenger feedback on the new Terminal has already been extremely positive – a survey of more than 1,000 passengers last summer that showed 93% of passengers rated their overall satisfaction as ‘good,’ ‘very good’  or ‘excellent’.

Once its £1.3 billion transformation complete, Terminal 2 will become the main terminal at Manchester Airport and cater for over 70% of its passengers. It will also allow for the closure of Terminal 1.

Jill Fraser, Manchester Airport Transformation Programme delivery director, said:

“The last 12 months have seen an incredible amount of work and it’s amazing to see the project really taking shape.

“From the creation of more than 500 jobs, to the work to improve the way the airfield works – this is a huge project but one that will have so many benefits for our passengers.

“We’ve already started to see some of the benefits of the programme, with our passengers who have used Terminal 2 giving amazing feedback and the award of the prestigious Prix Versailles.

“And the exciting thing is that we’ve not even finished yet – so we’re looking forward to an epic 18 months ahead. We’re proud to connect the North to the world and are looking forward to passengers seeing everything we deliver.”

James Rogers, Director at Terminal 2 architects Pascall+Watson, commented:

“Pascall+Watson Architects are proud to be part of Manchester Airport’s project team. This second phase of Manchester Airport’s Award Winning Transformation Programme will continue to build on the success of Phase 1, providing world-class facilities. Our collective efforts serve to connect the people of Manchester and the North with the rest of the world, helping to promote economic growth and tourism for the wider region.”

Carl Dainter, Head of Global Aviation for Mace Consult, added:

“Everyone in the integrated delivery team should be very proud of their achievements over the past 12 months. Tangible construction progress is evident across the whole of Terminal 2, all of which is being managed within a live airport environment, while passengers continue to use the busy terminal.

“The team’s achievements don’t just impact the site activities, they’re reaching the community too. The creation of social value is central to our delivery partner approach and, through job opportunities, community outreach and schools engagement, the regional benefits of an enhanced Terminal 2 are being felt long before opening to passengers. “The team has collaborated at every step of the way to overcome challenges, meet important milestones, and lay the foundations for a busy 18 months ahead, and we are looking forward to handing the completed facilities over in 2025, enabling Manchester Airport to continue to grow its enhanced capacity and offering to the Northwest of England.”