Manchester: Airport Transformation Programme

[LS@MAN]

Took the 313 bus from the airport station to the world freight terminal yesterday to walk onto the viewing park, I had to walk past the new Swissport building en route and noticed there are still barriers in place at the entrance with no vehicles in the car park. The majority of the buildings in the world freight terminal still seem occupied from the amount of vehicles outside, so there doesn’t seem to be any sign of the companies exiting anytime soon?!

 

[BlueManc]

Took the 313 bus from the airport station to the world freight terminal yesterday to walk onto the viewing park, I had to walk past the new Swissport building en route and noticed there are still barriers in place at the entrance with no vehicles in the car park. The majority of the buildings in the world freight terminal still seem occupied from the amount of vehicles outside, so there doesn’t seem to be any sign of the companies exiting anytime soon?!

Taxi drivers will park anywhere, often on Avro Way double yellows.

 

[LS@MAN]

Taxi drivers will park anywhere, often on Avro Way double yellows.

Most of the road I walked along (World Way?) had barriers along it so only right at the top were taxis allowed to park where the double yellow lines had ended.

 

[Tho]

I took a walk around all the terminals a couple of days ago to see if anything has changed, here’s what I found.
In Terminal 3 it looks like the old spar is going to be replaced by Sainsbury’s with some planning papers stuck up on the hoardings indicating this. Also if you go up to the old check in area you can see that a lot of the ceiling has now been removed along with the entire area being completely gutted to its bare bones.

Over in T1, all shops in arrivals are shut with some covered up in hoardings along with all signage indicating that they used to be there being removed. You can’t get into departures B anymore unless you go down the ramp/stairs near Security A entrance. Even then all the lights are switched off down there. The area where Lufthansa, SAS etc used to check in is now boarded up as well.

In T2 nothings really changed in the past few months other than there now being photos around the roads nearby showing what the new arrivals area will look like. Unfortunately these CGI images show that the roof will stay the same as how it used to look and won’t get the same roofing style as T2 west.

On another note, does anyone know what shops will be replacing all the ones that will be closing in T3 as there isn’t much info about this online other than Sporting Chance - which is now open?

 

[MKY661]

Used the New T2 for the first time this month. Was very excited to experience it so here's my thoughts. Did take some pics so if anyone has any requests then let me know and I can share them if I have them.

Check-in was nice and spacious and not too bad, quite busy like but expected on the Thursday before Good Friday. It appears you can select the airline on any of the self-service check-in desks, so that could be pretty handy if one area is busy. One lift from arrivals to departures in the legacy area is currently out of use, and since most people were queueing in the terminal to get in, I decided to go back out and head upstairs using the lifts in the car park which were quiet.

Security was a little disappointing, mostly cause I've heard rave reviews about it being super quick. We had fast track in Security East and it took about 35 mins to get through, so not awful, though it was likely because most bags were rejected for a further check. Mine was pulled over and the main culprit was the Percy Pigs lol (maybe it was the Sugar grains!) I'm sure with it being Easter weekend was the reasoning it was busy and we also had a later departure than normal, so I'm sure next time it will be better.

Departure lounge is quite nice, pretty spacious though the main room was a lot smaller than I thought it would be. but there's a lot of options which is nice and the Honeycomb ceiling is a great touch. The New Chandelier sculpture is also now up outside Security East, though I don't think it's fully installed yet. Another nice throwback to the old T1.

Did have a wonder in the B Gates and C Gates (thinking I was going to be leaving from A). C Gates were quiet and spacious but B Gates were rammed, though mostly cause there were a lot of flights going out from there. I saw there is a sign saying that the escalators for the B Gates are for B Gates only, but don't worry if you head down as you can come back up in the lift.

Departure Gate was C9 and was given just under an hour before departure (though it came up on flighty 10 minutes before it was called). Usually I know the gate straight away but cause it was not a based aircraft this time I had to wait for a bit.

Arrived at Gate A6 yesterday, longish walk but good plane views and Passport Control was faultless and extremely quick. The old Baggage Hall is also still open, we were on Belt 4 and Belt 5 is currently closed for works. The landside walls have been refurbished but the ceiling and walls on the old Passport Control side are as they were, so I would imagine like with the D Gates this will be staying like this.

Arriving is easy too. Legacy T2 arrivals is still having works done, the panels are up and the ceiling grates have been removed but the lighting and walls are as legacy T2 was. UK arrivals also closed but we all know this will be the future exit.

Overall good experience aside from Security (though I've had worse!) but glad I've finally managed to use it and looking forward to be back again in the summer! Hoping going forward as well they do something about assigning Piers to flights, as I've heard you will only be allowed to go to the old T1 Pier C once your Gate is called. With this being an just under an hour before departure and a 5 minute bus service then that could be tight, and I did witness someone miss their flight when I was having a look in the C Gates. Maybe giving an assigned Pier before the gate is called like Málaga do could work, though I'm guessing MAG will want passengers to remain in the departure lounge so they can spend time in the shops. Just my thoughts of course!

Also, @CCGE29 is there any update on the reopening of T1 Pier C? Did not see any flights use it on my visit so it's probably not open yet, but I'm assuming this is progressing well? 🙂

 

[Tho]

The old Baggage Hall is also still open, we were on Belt 4 and Belt 5 is currently closed for works. The landside walls have been refurbished but the ceiling and walls on the old Passport Control side are as they were, so I would imagine like with the D Gates this will be staying like this.

Thanks very much for your detailed report!

The only question I have is do you have any photos of of how legacy baggage claim looks? The main reason I ask this is because it sounds like the only difference since I travelled through T2 in May last year is belt 4 being closed off. When I travelled through, Belt 5 was shut off then so it sounds like minimal work has happened there too!

 

[BlueManc]

Quick to Moan[chester], but our stroll from Ryanair arrival gate 55 to T3 mid-stay car park was nearly non-stop. Just had to wait a few seconds for my beautiful face to be scanned. Slick! Arrived 2044.

 

[MKY661]

The only question I have is do you have any photos of of how legacy baggage claim looks? The main reason I ask this is because it sounds like the only difference since I travelled through T2 in May last year is belt 4 being closed off. When I travelled through, Belt 5 was shut off then so it sounds like minimal work has happened there too!

Yeah sure! See attached below 🙂

 

[joshl257]

Gosh I hope they do something with T2 legacy arrivals it looks awful. I remember going thought last summer when they had just installed the wall between belt 1 and 2 for domestic arrivals. Not much has changed by the looks of things.

 

[Sean Fish]

More observations on T1/3 from today’s trip with Ryanair:
The most significant difference spotted is that T1 duty-free shop after security is closed, hoarded off and bypassed altogether. Passengers now turn left at the WHS just before the entrance of the duty-free shop, into a corridor that formerly led to only toilets.
A set of door at the end of that corridor is now opened to allow passengers to turn right, who will then find themselves right next to gate 38. Passengers then turn left to follow the previous route to the T3 departure lounge.

Intended or not, this is a welcomed move, shoving a chunk off the walking distance. Not sure if the closure of T1 duty free shop is temporary for renovation or permanent.

Over to the T3 departure lounge, while the sports bar is open, the cafe/bistros right under it are now closed and hoarded off.

More subtle changes:
- T1 has disappeared from more signs in The Station
- The ‘which terminal’ signs in The Station now simply states T3 for Ryanair and T2 for anything else, instead of listing all airlines from T2

 

[MannyJon]

More observations on T1/3 from today’s trip with Ryanair:
The most significant difference spotted is that T1 duty-free shop after security is closed, hoarded off and bypassed altogether. Passengers now turn left at the WHS just before the entrance of the duty-free shop, into a corridor that formerly led to only toilets.
A set of door at the end of that corridor is now opened to allow passengers to turn right, who will then find themselves right next to gate 38. Passengers then turn left to follow the previous route to the T3 departure lounge.

Intended or not, this is a welcomed move, shoving a chunk off the walking distance. Not sure if the closure of T1 duty free shop is temporary for renovation or permanent.

Over to the T3 departure lounge, while the sports bar is open, the cafe/bistros right under it are now closed and hoarded off.

More subtle changes:
- T1 has disappeared from more signs in The Station
- The ‘which terminal’ signs in The Station now simply states T3 for Ryanair and T2 for anything else, instead of listing all airlines from T2

The old staff cut through from 1 to 3 opposite toilets

 

[Trumpington]

The old staff cut through from 1 to 3 opposite toilets

There will be fines imposed for that!

 

[CCGE29]

It’s been some time since the last update so here goes!

The long awaited C-Pier satellite opens on the 27th April. Gates re-numbered B22-B32. (In honesty I think this will cause unnecessary confusion - probably should have gone for E22-E32). Coaches will run from the main T2 every 2.5 minutes when the satellite is in use. Operates in all departures config during the morning then becomes all arrivals late evening.

The glass panels have been removed, new gate podiums to match the rest of T2 have also been installed. The moving walkways have been removed in addition to the facilities that used to be adjacent to the former gate 24.

The old bussing lounge come Jet2 office goes back to being a bussing lounge from the end of the month also.

Work has started on a much larger Aspire Lounge that will open later this year adjacent to the food hall. 1903 Lounge is also being replaced with an improved Escape Lounge.

Over at T3, as alluded to above, the old duty free has been removed. Boots has also gone in the old T3. The old Lion & Antelope has also closed and will be removed to make a slightly larger Italian restaurant & much needed seating area.

In T3 arrivals, Sainsbury’s will open later in the year in the former Spar unit.

Outside, stand 57 has become Walk In - Walk Out. Stand 47 & 17 are back in use - 16 will follow next week.

CCGE29

 

[LS@MAN]

It’s been some time since the last update so here goes!

The long awaited C-Pier satellite opens on the 27th April. Gates re-numbered B22-B32. (In honesty I think this will cause unnecessary confusion - probably should have gone for E22-E32). Coaches will run from the main T2 every 2.5 minutes when the satellite is in use. Operates in all departures config during the morning then becomes all arrivals late evening.

The glass panels have been removed, new gate podiums to match the rest of T2 have also been installed. The moving walkways have been removed in addition to the facilities that used to be adjacent to the former gate 24.

The old bussing lounge come Jet2 office goes back to being a bussing lounge from the end of the month also.

Work has started on a much larger Aspire Lounge that will open later this year adjacent to the food hall. 1903 Lounge is also being replaced with an improved Escape Lounge.

Over at T3, as alluded to above, the old duty free has been removed. Boots has also gone in the old T3. The old Lion & Antelope has also closed and will be removed to make a slightly larger Italian restaurant & much needed seating area.

In T3 arrivals, Sainsbury’s will open later in the year in the former Spar unit.

Outside, stand 57 has become Walk In - Walk Out. Stand 47 & 17 are back in use - 16 will follow next week.

CCGE29

Thanks as always for your valuable info, much appreciated.
You mentioned a while ago stands 309/310 potential coming into use for the summer period, is this still the case?

So ex T1 duty free is closed, is this permanent? Can we expect a new permanent shorter walking route through to T3, potentially bypassing the gates 16/17 area? It’s a bit of a mess having to go back on yourself if you are boarding from this area and the walk back from departure onto ‘incoming traffic’.

 

[lfc84]

When will the lounges in T2 be available to book using priority pass ?

 

[marni1971]

From Neil Christie on Facebook.

 

[CCGE29]

Thanks as always for your valuable info, much appreciated.
You mentioned a while ago stands 309/310 potential coming into use for the summer period, is this still the case?

So ex T1 duty free is closed, is this permanent? Can we expect a new permanent shorter walking route through to T3, potentially bypassing the gates 16/17 area? It’s a bit of a mess having to go back on yourself if you are boarding from this area and the walk back from departure onto ‘incoming traffic’.

Stands 309/310 are planned to return. It’s just not the main priority at present.

Everything is permanent at MAN… until it’s not.
The corridor that is referenced past gate 141 is however planned for modifications - it’s not a small job however. Don’t expect anything completed this side of summer. Preliminary works have commenced including replacing sections of the roof in this area.

CCGE29

 

[jamesg4568]

From Neil Christie on Facebook.

Surprisingly doesn't look terrible!

 

[MannyJon]

Short on toilets I'm told

 

[LS@MAN]

From Neil Christie on Facebook.

Wow…I’ve never seen Pier C like this before! Surprisingly looks much bigger with those glass panels gone! New flooring too which is good to see.
Now to get those airbridge’s scrubbed!

Short on toilets I'm told

Am I right in saying the only toilets available are down a set of stairs near gate 28?