Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has pledged ‘an exciting array of shops, bars, restaurants and airport lounges’ at Manchester Airport as part of a £440 million/US$546 million investment.

New spacious facilities, state-of-the-art technology and equipment will greet passengers at the new-look Terminal 2 (see video fly-through below) as MAN draws to a close the £1.3bn Manchester Airport Transformation Programme (MAN-TP) first announced in 2015.

The facelifted Terminal 2 extension opened in July 2021 after doubling in size as part of phase one upgrades, which welcomed a refreshed World Duty Free store.

Enabling works for the second phase are underway, confirms MAN, with plans to double the size of the existing departure lounge to offer a broader assortment of shops and F&B outlets.

Upon completion in 2025, around 80% of all passengers will use the expanded Terminal 2 with Terminal 1 set to close – 63 years after it was opened by the Duke of Edinburgh, in 1962.

Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said:”It is hugely exciting to be announcing this significant investment in Manchester Airport. It represents a major milestone in the history of both our airport, and the region as a whole.

“By completing the transformation of Terminal 2, we will not only be offering passengers across the North an unrivalled choice of destinations, but also providing them with world class facilities and a great overall experience when they travel through Manchester. I cannot wait to see the plans come to fruition, for the benefit of all of our customers, colleagues and supporters.”

Accompanying the in-terminal improvements at T2 – from check-in to baggage reclaim – are upgrades to the airfield to accommodate next-generation aircraft.

The announced investment has been welcomed by business and political leaders.

Richard Sofer, TUI’s Commercial and Business Development Director, said:  “The news of Manchester Airport’s redevelopment is hugely exciting, for both our customers and TUI colleagues based at Manchester.

“As one of our major airport hubs, TUI flies to more than 40 holiday hotspots from Manchester, so it’s great to hear about the plans for the evolution of the airport, with passengers benefitting from the new facilities, shops, bars and restaurants once the project is completed.

“We look forward to continuing to work together with the team at Manchester Airport and our TUI colleagues to create more holiday memories for our customers in the North West.”

Intelligence from York Aviation – familiar for its research on duty and tax free on-arrival regimes – reveals that MAN’s contribution to the Northern economy of £3.5 billion is tipped to grow almost 80% to £6.3bn by 2040 as a result of the transformation programme.

For background to this story, click the respective links below.

Dufry cuts ribbon to officially open Manchester Airport T2 walkthrough

World Duty Free opens ‘first class’ retail empire at Manchester Airport’s T2