Manchester: General Airport Discussions & Updates

[Scottie Dog]

Thought that, but couldn't be any further from 2. Was loads empty over night closer

I was thinking more along the lines of available stands for engineers to access the aircraft for possible technical problems. Unfortunately I'm only a statistical!

 

[David_itl]

A bit of compare and contrast piece done the Telegraph on runway construction development and cost looking at MAN and LHR
https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/manchester-airport-put-heathrow-shame-110000799.html

Converting £172m to what it would be now comes to £334m

 

[marni1971]

A bit of compare and contrast piece done the Telegraph on runway construction development and cost looking at MAN and LHR
https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/manchester-airport-put-heathrow-shame-110000799.html

Converting £172m to what it would be now comes to £334m

Interesting article. Good job they didn’t go into detail with T2X for on time and on budget!

 

[mullion]

There was a small case of Covid in the middle which changed everything of course

 

[marni1971]

There was a small case of Covid in the middle which changed everything of course

There was. But the cuts to T2X were made by mid 2018.

 

[BlueManc]

Wow, it's quiet. Appreciate that oil over $100 is a serious hold on any speculative route development, but even so, it feels quite dormant. Even the rumours have evaporated.

Nothing from EasyJet or Ryanair? No one going to pick up Indigo's withdrawal? How about a remote parking development?

 

[mullion]

Judging by comments re Air India they seem to be cutting routes all over the place or they are doing badly if not being cut until Trump gets his act together I cant see much happening

 

[gulftraveller]

There have been articles recently saying that AI have been losing market share in UK since the Ahmedabad crash. The reasons may, of course, lie elsewhere.

 

[LS@MAN]

Wow, it's quiet. Appreciate that oil over $100 is a serious hold on any speculative route development, but even so, it feels quite dormant. Even the rumours have evaporated.

Nothing from EasyJet or Ryanair? No one going to pick up Indigo's withdrawal? How about a remote parking development?

Yes, I was also thinking the same recently, quiet on both fronts!

* I don't think either EasyJet or Ryanair have completely released their schedules yet for summer 2027, although the only new route from either I have heard is the EasyJet Southampton service due to commence in December.
* Certainly as far as the developments within the airport site are concerned, there seems to be no new news for a long time now. T3 improvements are on-going and the new Italian restaurant is due to open this month, with an extended seating area.
I read on another forum that Wetherspoons in T2 is now open and the new extended Escape lounge is due to open before year end.
On the airfield, it's very quiet and slow with developments looking paused...no taxiway works on-going despite the closed areas of the dual taxiway system (taxiway Delta). No closure of the cargo and freight sheds yet, in particular Swissport who by now should be in their new home (building was completed around April / May).

I hope this winter is a kind one to the airlines, airports and general aviation world. But it won't harm MAG over this quieter winter period to work on improvements and more specifically to T3 departures and airfield works around T2. I understand businesses have to look to the future and be mindful of the current political and economical worldwide situation, but learning from past mistakes, performing such works in preparation for a potential busier summer next year, they will reap the rewards.

 

[CCGE29]

Yes, I was also thinking the same recently, quiet on both fronts!

* I don't think either EasyJet or Ryanair have completely released their schedules yet for summer 2027, although the only new route from either I have heard is the EasyJet Southampton service due to commence in December.
* Certainly as far as the developments within the airport site are concerned, there seems to be no new news for a long time now. T3 improvements are on-going and the new Italian restaurant is due to open this month, with an extended seating area.
I read on another forum that Wetherspoons in T2 is now open and the new extended Escape lounge is due to open before year end.
On the airfield, it's very quiet and slow with developments looking paused...no taxiway works on-going despite the closed areas of the dual taxiway system (taxiway Delta). No closure of the cargo and freight sheds yet, in particular Swissport who by now should be in their new home (building was completed around April / May).

I hope this winter is a kind one to the airlines, airports and general aviation world. But it won't harm MAG over this quieter winter period to work on improvements and more specifically to T3 departures and airfield works around T2. I understand businesses have to look to the future and be mindful of the current political and economical worldwide situation, but learning from past mistakes, performing such works in preparation for a potential busier summer next year, they will reap the rewards.

S27 final schedules will be released in the next month or so.

Swissport Cargo have been in their new home since last winter. Their old shed is empty with the yard at the back used for GSE Storage by MAG/ULD storage by WFS Cargo who are the sole tenants over in the old sheds now.

As has been said - this summer has been pretty shambolic to be truthful. Really poor infrastructure issues throughout the summer and possibly not enough learning from past mistakes. Taxiway D closed UFN between D7 & D8 due failed pavement. One in one out on taxiway E for the time being and stands 80/81 closed to allow code F movements.

Service road at the head of A pier (101-116) has collapsed also awaiting a plan to re-construct. Leading to a one-way system being implemented around the pier.

Particularly embarrassing is the almost weekly closures of 23R because of failed pavement.

The one project which has worked reasonably well despite much initial scepticism is the bussing operation to ex-T1 C-Pier. Pretty positive response from all stakeholders.

The landside offering is another story. Disgraceful I’ve got to be honest. No amount of corporate talk hides the obvious issues landside at T2 which need urgently addressing over the winter period. There are plans - it awaits to be seen if they will have an impact.

CCGE29

 

[MannyJon]

S27 final schedules will be released in the next month or so.

Swissport Cargo have been in their new home since last winter. Their old shed is empty with the yard at the back used for GSE Storage by MAG/ULD storage by WFS Cargo who are the sole tenants over in the old sheds now.

As has been said - this summer has been pretty shambolic to be truthful. Really poor infrastructure issues throughout the summer and possibly not enough learning from past mistakes. Taxiway D closed UFN between D7 & D8 due failed pavement. One in one out on taxiway E for the time being and stands 80/81 closed to allow code F movements.

Service road at the head of A pier (101-116) has collapsed also awaiting a plan to re-construct. Leading to a one-way system being implemented around the pier.

Particularly embarrassing is the almost weekly closures of 23R because of failed pavement.

The one project which has worked reasonably well despite much initial scepticism is the bussing operation to ex-T1 C-Pier. Pretty positive response from all stakeholders.

The landside offering is another story. Disgraceful I’ve got to be honest. No amount of corporate talk hides the obvious issues landside at T2 which need urgently addressing over the winter period. There are plans - it awaits to be seen if they will have an impact.

CCGE29

The temporary route and one way system put in place round A Pier is actually better than the previous lay out. All people I know who drive the area(me included) think this.

 

[LS@MAN]

Many thanks as always for your valuable info and feedback @CCGE29.

My reason for the comment ref Swissport and their new residence was that around 6 weeks ago I walked past the cargo / freight sheds along World Way en route to the viewing park and walking past the new Swissport building I noticed no vehicles parked outside and there were concrete barriers in place at the entry points, looked very dark inside too, in comparison to the lively Dnata building next door. Maybe all of the activity is on the other side of the building (I don't know the full layout) and I'm certainly not doubting what you're saying, it was just my observation from that area that it looked like an empty building.
Have MAG yet got a plan for when this area will be flattened to become future remote stands?

It's embarrassing and unacceptable that such new facilities and infrastructure in their first fully operational summer are having sometimes even the most basic of issues. OTP has been bad and will continue to be as long as the dual taxiway system isn't operational. Although we must take into account ATC delays and weather, which as always in Europe during the summer, happens frequently.
But for things like repetitive failed pavements and / or potholes on taxiways and runways, is again unacceptable to passengers and airline operations. It was mentioned during the MACC meeting in July that both 23R / 05L and 23L / 05R will get a resurface over the next few years. Well as the primary runway in use, 23R / 05L should be a priority and it sounds like it needs to happen ASAP! I just hope the airlines are making their feelings known to MAG about these types of issues which causes them a lot of disruption.
On a brighter note, it's nice to read that the use of Pier C as an overspill for T2 gates / stands has been a success, yes, I'm sure not every passenger, employee and airline are pleased with this set up, but it sounds like it's been mainly well received and work operationally as it was intended. I assume for the quieter winter period there are enough stands to enable Pier C not to be used with less aircraft on the ground overnight?

Finally, I hope the contractors return to T2 and finish off what they left off! I last used T2 in mid June, the legacy baggage reclaim area and arrivals hall still hadn't been finished at this point. Same for Pier 2, it was very obvious that certain finishings were not finished, I saw bits of insulation hanging out of walls for example. I don't know their definition of snagging, but clearly this wasn't done!

Once again, your info and insights are much appreciated 🙂