Manchester Airport - General Thread

[Scottie Dog]

Good spot David. I think this may be partly connected with Hainan but I'm not 100pc certain.

 

[Scottie Dog]

A rumour was posted on dried fruit the other day along the lines that Thomas Cook are looking to release their hangar. The story then went on to say that Flybe might take it over.

I can't see this happening but all thoughts appreciated.

 

[Jerry]

Wouldn't it be too big for Flybe? Considering TCX use A321s and A330s?

 

[ebtbroken]

There used to be a rumour doing the rounds that Flybe wanted to move the Exeter operation up to MAN,that is quite a large operation over a few hangars,these rumours have a habit of surfacing every now and then,if there is anything in them is difficult to say,unless some one knows better?
As a matter of interest didn't S R technics used to have an interest in this hangar around the time of Qualities?

 

[gonetech]

All sounds like dried tripe that one, never mind dried fruit!

 

[Aviador]

There used to be a rumour doing the rounds that Flybe wanted to move the Exeter operation up to MAN,that is quite a large operation over a few hangars,these rumours have a habit of surfacing every now and then,if there is anything in them is difficult to say,unless some one knows better?
As a matter of interest didn't S R technics used to have an interest in this hangar around the time of Qualities?

I heard a different rumour but it wasn't a move to Manchester. I was told in confidence though so can't say any more.

 

[ebtbroken]

Flyby certainly seem to be attracting a lot of attention at the moment,but as any one connected with aviation knows the industry is full of rumour,amazingly some of it happens occasionally.

 

[David_itl]

MAN has announced a three yearr sponsorship for the Birmingham Pride event. I wonder if similar deals will be struck with the other festivals they sponsored last year?

http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/artic...sponsor-birmingham-pride-for-next-three-years


And 4 years in a row for being named the UK's best airport. If they make it 5 on the back of the construction work, I'll be amazed!

http://www.wilmslow.co.uk/news/arti...rt-retains-its-crown-for-4th-consecutive-year

 

[Liverpoola380]

Does anybody know what is going to happen to T1 and linking T3 to T2 once the transformation works have been completed?

I keep reading mixed messages, it makes sense to keep T3 LCC. Will domestic stay in T3 or is likely to be a hybrid area in between 3 and 2?

 

[EGCC_MAN]

Work on T1 and T3 will come under a future round of funding, and changes beyond the cosmetic (and sorting general wear and tear) appear to be some way off timewise. So the short answer is that there are no detailed plans in the public domain at this stage. But we do know that MAG's long-term ambition is to end up with two state-of-the-art 'super terminals', with the second occupying the footprint of former T1 and incorporating T3. The most pressing issue will be keeping costs in check ... unpopular value engineering has been an essential feature of the TP so far simply because MAG must fund the entire project themselves (there is no public money) and the earliest concepts proved too ambitious for the funding available.

The group balance-sheet must also finance facilities at STN and EMA. So it remains to be seen whether MAG will have the financial wherewithal to demolish T1 completely and build afresh or whether a total rebuild (possibly incorporating T3) will be affordable. Maybe a 'value-engineered' hybrid will be the final outcome? Remember too that some back-end elements of the T2 TP haven't been funded yet, eg. construction of Pier 2. Funding for this will have to be considered at some stage. Whether or not that will be approved before at least initial work on T1 / T3 remains to be seen, as there are some pressing needs to be addressed in those two which can't be put off indefinitely. They may have to be prioritised?

 

[Jamman]

Great explanation there EGCC_MAN - but also is quite depressing reading regarding the 'value engineering' aspect of the whole development, we have lost a lot of 'pleasing external features' all ready if the original renders are anything to go off. Perhaps I'm being too romantic and not living in the real world were I want my airport to look world class on the outside too. I mean it will send my OCD crazy if the 2nd pier never gets built!!

 

[Comet]

I don't know about EMA but I know STN has plans for improvements of about £600m which will partly account for the value engineering on T2.

What I would like to know is what precisely is being done on the Taxiways.
I think a dual taxiway is being built as part of the T2 works between T2 and the cargo sheds which correct me if I am wrong will be for Code E aircraft and below. What is not clear is what other taxiway works are being done next to the TCX hanger and to Dual Alpha in front of the RVP.

 

[David_itl]

1st opinion piece of the year. https://www.manchestereveningnews.c.../opinion-andrew-cowan-ceo-manchester-14198638

 

[Aviador]

Manchester Airport launches £5 million campaign to profile all northern regions
A NEW FRONTIER FOR THE NORTHERN POWERHOUSE

• Manchester Airport launches advertising and social media campaign worth £5 million to profile all the Northern regions

Northern Powerhouse Minister, Jake Berry, today visited Manchester Airport as it kicked off a £5 million drive to boost the international profile of the North.

The UK’s third largest airport is searching for the people, businesses, attractions and other assets that make the North a great place to trade with, invest in and visit.

It plans to showcase these success stories to the 27.8m passengers who pass through its terminals each year, travelling to locations ranging from Boston to Beijing, Houston to Hong Kong and Singapore to San Francisco.

Worth an estimated £5 million, over the course of the next year, the campaign will see the airport work with leaders in each of the Northern regions to identify the things that best represent their global strengths. Every month new images and artwork from different areas across the North will be added to new sites across the airport.

As well as being displayed across the Manchester Airport campus, the stories will be promoted via a tailor-made social media campaign, both in the UK and around the world.

The commitment was made during a visit to the airport by Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry, who was joined by Manchester Airport CEO Andrew Cowan, as they took the wraps off an eye-catching collection of Northern Powerhouse images that celebrate the North’s strengths in a range of fields, from sport and natural beauty to its world class universities and exporting businesses.

The Minister also met with a series of leaders from across the North to find out more about their international exploits. This included exporting businesses, tourist attractions, retailers and universities.

Northern Powerhouse Minister, Jake Berry, said:

“We are proud to work hand-in-hand with Manchester Airport to open a new frontier for the Northern Powerhouse. The success of the Manchester–Beijing route, and the new direct flights to Seattle opening up later this year, reinforces our shared vision of having a super-connected global North bringing the Northern Powerhouse to the world and the world to the Northern Powerhouse.”

Manchester Airport CEO Andrew Cowan said:

“Manchester Airport has a critical role to play in driving growth across the North by connecting it to the world’s most important markets.

“It is this connectivity that will enable businesses to export their products and services to economies in all corners of the globe, and that will bring tourists, investors and students to our Northern towns and cities.

“As well as providing direct access to more than 210 international destinations, we are always eager to promote the collective strengths of the North to those travelling through the airport, whether that be for business of leisure.

“That is why I am looking forward to working with our colleagues across the North to showcase the things that combine to make this a world class place to visit and do business with.”

The Minister unveiled images showcasing some of the North’s leading universities and sites of natural beauty, such as the Lake District. Others pointed to the £54.5 billion of exports done by Northern businesses each year and images linking the likes of Bradford to Beijing, Liverpool to Los Angeles, Manchester to Madrid and Teesside to Texas.

During the coming months, the Airport will work worth each Northern Powerhouse region to select a series of images relating to that part of the world to go on display.

The first will be revealed during a week of international-themed activity across the North in February.

 

[Silvercity]

Manchester Airport launches £5 million campaign to profile all northern regions
A NEW FRONTIER FOR THE NORTHERN POWERHOUSE

• Manchester Airport launches advertising and social media campaign worth £5 million to profile all the Northern regions

Northern Powerhouse Minister, Jake Berry, today visited Manchester Airport as it kicked off a £5 million drive to boost the international profile of the North.

The UK’s third largest airport is searching for the people, businesses, attractions and other assets that make the North a great place to trade with, invest in and visit.

It plans to showcase these success stories to the 27.8m passengers who pass through its terminals each year, travelling to locations ranging from Boston to Beijing, Houston to Hong Kong and Singapore to San Francisco.

Worth an estimated £5 million, over the course of the next year, the campaign will see the airport work with leaders in each of the Northern regions to identify the things that best represent their global strengths. Every month new images and artwork from different areas across the North will be added to new sites across the airport.

As well as being displayed across the Manchester Airport campus, the stories will be promoted via a tailor-made social media campaign, both in the UK and around the world.

The commitment was made during a visit to the airport by Northern Powerhouse Minister Jake Berry, who was joined by Manchester Airport CEO Andrew Cowan, as they took the wraps off an eye-catching collection of Northern Powerhouse images that celebrate the North’s strengths in a range of fields, from sport and natural beauty to its world class universities and exporting businesses.

The Minister also met with a series of leaders from across the North to find out more about their international exploits. This included exporting businesses, tourist attractions, retailers and universities.

Northern Powerhouse Minister, Jake Berry, said:

“We are proud to work hand-in-hand with Manchester Airport to open a new frontier for the Northern Powerhouse. The success of the Manchester–Beijing route, and the new direct flights to Seattle opening up later this year, reinforces our shared vision of having a super-connected global North bringing the Northern Powerhouse to the world and the world to the Northern Powerhouse.”

Manchester Airport CEO Andrew Cowan said:

“Manchester Airport has a critical role to play in driving growth across the North by connecting it to the world’s most important markets.

“It is this connectivity that will enable businesses to export their products and services to economies in all corners of the globe, and that will bring tourists, investors and students to our Northern towns and cities.

“As well as providing direct access to more than 210 international destinations, we are always eager to promote the collective strengths of the North to those travelling through the airport, whether that be for business of leisure.

“That is why I am looking forward to working with our colleagues across the North to showcase the things that combine to make this a world class place to visit and do business with.”

The Minister unveiled images showcasing some of the North’s leading universities and sites of natural beauty, such as the Lake District. Others pointed to the £54.5 billion of exports done by Northern businesses each year and images linking the likes of Bradford to Beijing, Liverpool to Los Angeles, Manchester to Madrid and Teesside to Texas.

During the coming months, the Airport will work worth each Northern Powerhouse region to select a series of images relating to that part of the world to go on display.

The first will be revealed during a week of international-themed activity across the North in February.

All of those Northern regions / cities have their own airports too, they are assets to those cities. Will Northern Powerhouse help them to develop as well I wonder ?

 

[Aviador]

All of those Northern regions / cities have their own airports too, they are assets to those cities. Will Northern Powerhouse help them to develop as well I wonder ?

This is true and If you live in Liverpool, Bradford, Leeds or Hull your city has it's own perfectly good local airport.

I admire the airport for the way it markets itself but to someone from outside the Greater Manchester region it reads as if the airport has a god given right to engulf the entire air service needs of the north.

The Northern Powerhouse was invented in Manchester and if you live outside of Manchester you certainly don't feel like it's of any benefit to your area.

 

[Seasider]

I live on the East Coast and NCL/EMA are nearer to me than than MAN and if you add LBA/HUY/DSA, not forgetting MME, that's 6 in total and I consider I live in Northern England.

 

[EGCC_MAN]

The Northern Powerhouse was invented in Manchester and if you live outside of Manchester you certainly don't feel like it's of any benefit to your area.

Unfortunately, I fear that the 'Northern Powerhouse' brand is on life-support, as it is seen as being too closely associated with George Osborne. Theresa May and her team harbour such hostility towards him that they appear determined to utterly destroy all aspects of his legacy. But it is important that the underlying initiative should flourish even if the brand fades away. It is deeply frustrating for those who work full-time on striving to integrate the northern economy to read "it's all about Manchester", as this kind of narrow parochial rhetoric ensures just one winner in the infrastructure investment stakes: LONDON. Again. They've been consuming the North's share of investment themselves for decades ... their own rightful share is obviously not enough. And as long as we up here play small-minded Liverpool v Manchester v Leeds v Newcastle games (and the rest), those in the SE can continue to take the proverbial with impunity. I frequently visit Newcastle. Up there they reckon the funds are all going to Leeds and Manchester! The misplaced perceptions vary according to where you are!

We need to start viewing the North not as a cluster of competing communities but as an inter-connected entity which functions best when all components are optimised. Some months ago I e.mailed the editor of the Yorkshire Post calling out a front page story which bemoaned infrastructure spending in Manchester exceeding that allocated to Leeds. Sounds clear-cut, right? Well, he should have known better. What happened to journalists asking questions and investigating the facts? The big-money construction project ongoing at the time was the Ordsall Chord, a rail spur which allows through-trains to cross the congested Central Manchester corridor. So yes, that construction investment was focused on Manchester ... but hang on, who was it for? Do you suppose that we Mancs had been desperately praying for the opportunity to commute by train between our two main city centre stations? Of course not! They're termini to us! What the chord actually does in practice is allow trains from points south to transit the Central Manchester rail bottleneck enroute to Yorkshire! So they don't need to spend ten minutes changing ends at Piccadilly before reversing out to follow an extended route any more. Yes, ALL passenger rail services currently planned to use the Chord will route to Yorkshire (and beyond, in many cases). The Ordsall money wasn't spent to serve a local need attributable to Manchester itself ... it's function is to open up rail connectivity for Yorkshire!

The above is just one example of malcontents picking up on headline spending allocation without doing their homework. If we want a world-class inter-city rail network across the North, we have to spend the money where the most restrictive bottlenecks exist. Likewise for roads etc. Generally, those chokepoints are to be found in the densely built-up urban centres. But addressing these bottlenecks isn't about advantaging the locals (they actually get to endure the construction hassle) ... it is about speeding up journeys such as Liverpool to Newcastle / Hull and Windermere to Sheffield.

It isn't we in Manchester who desperately need to commute between Victoria and Piccadilly.

Take a look at that recently-published TfN prospectus. It is all about the network and optimising the whole, not about favouring one node over another. We as a region will need to lobby with a united voice to prise investment funds away from Westminster vested interests (TfN has been *****ed over by Grayling to ensure it has no innate fundraising powers of its own). These lazy, uninformed "Manchester gets everything / it's favouritism towards Leeds" type comments (especially when promulgated by the media) are a cancer which need to be eradicated by knowledge and education. If we can't get beyond small-time local tribalism then we really are the idiot savages Westminster takes us for. Our towns and our infrastructure have been left to rot because too many dimwit councillors prefer local grandstanding against their closest neighbours to understanding the big picture. Whitehall is quite right to snigger at our crass stupidity whilst they quietly allocate national investment funds to Crossrail 2 (which originates in Grayling's constituency) at our expense. Well the North hasn't got a viable project close to requiring funding yet, has it? Too many of us still prefer stamping our feet and shouting at each other rather than cooperating on joined-up planning.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Unfortunately, I fear that the 'Northern Powerhouse' brand is on life-support, as it is seen as being too closely associated with George Osborne. Theresa May and her team harbour such hostility towards him that they appear determined to utterly destroy all aspects of his legacy. But it is important that the underlying initiative should flourish even if the brand fades away. It is deeply frustrating for those who work full-time on striving to integrate the northern economy to read "it's all about Manchester", as this kind of narrow parochial rhetoric ensures just one winner in the infrastructure investment stakes: LONDON. Again. They've been consuming the North's share of investment themselves for decades ... their own rightful share is obviously not enough. And as long as we up here play small-minded Liverpool v Manchester v Leeds v Newcastle games (and the rest), those in the SE can continue to take the proverbial with impunity. I frequently visit Newcastle. Up there they reckon the funds are all going to Leeds and Manchester! The misplaced perceptions vary according to where you are!

We need to start viewing the North not as a cluster of competing communities but as an inter-connected entity which functions best when all components are optimised. Some months ago I e.mailed the editor of the Yorkshire Post calling out a front page story which bemoaned infrastructure spending in Manchester exceeding that allocated to Leeds. Sounds clear-cut, right? Well, he should have known better. What happened to journalists asking questions and investigating the facts? The big-money construction project ongoing at the time was the Ordsall Chord, a rail spur which allows through-trains to cross the congested Central Manchester corridor. So yes, that construction investment was focused on Manchester ... but hang on, who was it for? Do you suppose that we Mancs had been desperately praying for the opportunity to commute by train between our two main city centre stations? Of course not! They're termini to us! What the chord actually does in practice is allow trains from points south to transit the Central Manchester rail bottleneck enroute to Yorkshire! So they don't need to spend ten minutes changing ends at Piccadilly before reversing out to follow an extended route any more. Yes, ALL passenger rail services currently planned to use the Chord will route to Yorkshire (and beyond, in many cases). The Ordsall money wasn't spent to serve a local need attributable to Manchester itself ... it's function is to open up rail connectivity for Yorkshire!

The above is just one example of malcontents picking up on headline spending allocation without doing their homework. If we want a world-class inter-city rail network across the North, we have to spend the money where the most restrictive bottlenecks exist. Likewise for roads etc. Generally, those chokepoints are to be found in the densely built-up urban centres. But addressing these bottlenecks isn't about advantaging the locals (they actually get to endure the construction hassle) ... it is about speeding up journeys such as Liverpool to Newcastle / Hull and Windermere to Sheffield.

It isn't we in Manchester who desperately need to commute between Victoria and Piccadilly.

Take a look at that recently-published TfN prospectus. It is all about the network and optimising the whole, not about favouring one node over another. We as a region will need to lobby with a united voice to prise investment funds away from Westminster vested interests (TfN has been *****ed over by Grayling to ensure it has no innate fundraising powers of its own). These lazy, uninformed "Manchester gets everything / it's favouritism towards Leeds" type comments (especially when promulgated by the media) are a cancer which need to be eradicated by knowledge and education. If we can't get beyond small-time local tribalism then we really are the idiot savages Westminster takes us for. Our towns and our infrastructure have been left to rot because too many dimwit councillors prefer local grandstanding against their closest neighbours to understanding the big picture. Whitehall is quite right to snigger at our crass stupidity whilst they quietly allocate national investment funds to Crossrail 2 (which originates in Grayling's constituency) at our expense. Well the North hasn't got a viable project close to requiring funding yet, has it? Too many of us still prefer stamping our feet and shouting at each other rather than cooperating on joined-up planning.

The great northern cities and their regions are lucky in that they have a focus in Greater Manchester on which to try to create some sort of equitable balance/partnership to the benefit of them all. At present it might look to some as though the Manchester region is being favoured but with co-operation and a will there is no reason why the so-called Northern Powerhouse should not spread across the entire northern part of England with fair shares for all (benefits might even spill over into parts of North Wales).

Contrast this with the south where London dominates and London always will dominate. There can be no over-arching Southern Powerhouse that will see the whole of southern England enjoying the benefits as an equal to London.

You in the North have the chance to build an integrated web of regions, each as important as the neighbour. We in the south who live in peripheral areas away from the capital and its immediate hinterland will always be serfs to the Great Lord that is London.

If some might think this is no business of a country boy tucked away in the rural confines of the South West, all I can say is that I wish we had the same sort of opportunity that presents itself to the North, whatever the attitude of May and her cohorts.

 

[Seasider]

Your views are always valued TLY, carry on posting.