Manchester: General Airport Discussions & Updates

[EGCC_MAN]

Well the airport will be getting an unwanted respite now. Germany has just joined France and Israel in banning most UK passport holders from travelling there. Netherlands is entering a strict lockdown ... not a big draw for Christmas visitors. A cascade of similar bad news expected imminently from other Continental countries.

 

[LS@MAN]

A very happy belated New Year to everyone, I wish you health and happiness for 2022 🙂

I attended a jobs fair this morning held by MAG online, good to see so many positions available ready for the summer schedule.
Jet2 and Ryanair were also conducting a presentation on their open vacancies...I was surprised not to see Easyjet initially, but after looking at their careers website, I notice majority of their open positions are currently at Luton and Gatwick, so my assumption was they already have sufficient staff for their MAN base...

During the airport lounges and MAG presentations, it was stated by the respective presenters that the lounge in T3 would be open in the "summer" and T3 would be open in March. I have not seen any confirmation from MAN/MAG, so I don't take this completely at face value, however, I'm sure these people are in the know already, so very good new if indeed true...
I imagine R2 (23L/05R) will also be open in time for the summer schedule as well, the current NOTAM for single runway ops expires end of Feb (I think).

Hopefully 2022 is THE year for change...

 

[Scottie Dog]

All the best in your search for a new future.

 

[LS@MAN]

Took a weekend trip to Hamburg (Fri-Mon) over the weekend with Ryanair.

Arrived at T1 6am for a 8.05am departure...check in area very busy. I noticed a large queue to the left of the security entrance and found this to be the oversize luggage desk. Is there only 1 in T1? I can only imagine what this will be like during half term when families take their ski trips!
Entered a very busy security area, 20 mins to get through and only 4 lanes open, but manly hassle free and everyone seemed calm and relaxed, surprisingly.

T1 busy in general, queues at most places where breakfast/coffee is served. Good to see, but I can't imagine MAG wanting to keep Ryanair in T1 from the summer, as the number of based aircraft/flights and passengers increase, there has to be a justification to re-open T3?!
I counted 20 departures between 6am-8am from T1 and that's only EZY & FR flights...average load factors right now around 75-80%.
We boarded a bus at Gate 20D and the aircraft was at stand 44L, so this was a pleasant surprise. Departed on schedule at 8.05am.

Arriving back this morning, early at 9.30am thanks to a shortcut from ATC (despite the strong headwinds!), at stand 9. We were the only aircraft arriving into T1 during that time, so no queue at immigration and straight to the train station.
Seen many people en route struggling with luggage walking through the skylink. I read a few weeks back online somewhere, that MAN/MAG were looking at introducing a bus going to the station from all 3 terminals...but this has now gone quiet?!

Anyway...good to see things slowly improving in terms of travel restrictions and number of passengers on the up! Hopefully the recruitment process for MAN improves before the big summer wave starts to hit and T3 & Runway 2 are re-opened!

All the best 🙂

 

[BlueManc]

First time dropping off lad at T2 since Summer of 2019! Well this is slick, no problems, what's this barrier?...£5 and we'll let you out. Nice ambush MAG 😒
I wondered why there were taxis parked on the roundabout.

 

[Scottie Dog]

Whilst I haven't been to the airport since the start of Covid, I believe that drop off charges have been in force for many years - the fee has probably increased though.

 

[Llandudno]

First time dropping off lad at T2 since Summer of 2019! Well this is slick, no problems, what's this barrier?...£5 and we'll let you out. Nice ambush MAG 😒
I wondered why there were taxis parked on the roundabout.

Not just MAG. The drop off charge is in effect at pretty much every U.K. airport, even the mighty Heathrow hasn’t been immune from it.

 

[BlueManc]

Yeah, you want cheap Ryanair tickets?, who want cheap airport charges...you still pay someone somewhere. Wasn't a whinge. I found it amusing that the barriers are out of view from the drop off zone, until you're on your way down the ramp. I wonder if this was deliberate? I think the car driver in front was really flummoxed by the barriers and charge. I reversed and went through the next.

 

[Scottie Dog]

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't there fairly prominent sign at the bottom of the up-ramp warning of the charge?
Obviously, as with lot of drivers, the sign can be overlooked as one is busy looking where one is going.

 

[marni1971]

Whilst I haven't been to the airport since the start of Covid, I believe that drop off charges have been in force for many years - the fee has probably increased though.

Only for a few years, departures drop off was free until a year or two before covid. They actually built the new T2 drop off exit and then had to re build it - and remodel the road layout - to accommodate the new barriers.

MAGs reasoning for the introduction of arrivals pick up charges in the first place was woeful. To reduce accidents. What accidents? They didn’t respond to that one. Congestion? Make it 5 or 10 minutes free, as it was when arrivals barriers were originally introduced. That’ll keep traffic moving. The airport did fine thought the booming 90s and 00s without the charges.

A pet hate of mine.

 

[KARFA]

Introduced in summer 2018. It's their airport and they are free to charge what they want, if anything. Tbh if their justification is to get more money then that's fine with me.

If you prefer not to pay either use the free drop off options, arrive by public transport, or use another airport. The charges are very clear and well known generally, and signed clearly at the airport itself. MAN has made no secret of them. So it is a bit ludicrous to suggest they are deliberately hiding barriers to catch them unawares.

 

[marni1971]

….

 

[Curious Pax]

Looks like I’ll be on the 0625 BA to Heathrow in a couple of Saturday’s time - first time on that route since 2004, on a 757! Anyone got recent experience of T1 Saturday morning security queues - trying to decide what time to book a taxi. Arriving at the airport 2 hours before with an online boarding pass and no baggage isn’t attractive at that time in a morning!

All a bit different to when I used to regularly get the early shuttle in the late 80s - record was getting out of the taxi (they’d cocked up) 12 minutes before departure, and sitting down just as we pushed back for an on time departure!

 

[marni1971]

Looks like I’ll be on the 0625 BA to Heathrow in a couple of Saturday’s time - first time on that route since 2004, on a 757! Anyone got recent experience of T1 Saturday morning security queues - trying to decide what time to book a taxi. Arriving at the airport 2 hours before with an online boarding pass and no baggage isn’t attractive at that time in a morning!

All a bit different to when I used to regularly get the early shuttle in the late 80s - record was getting out of the taxi (they’d cocked up) 12 minutes before departure, and sitting down just as we pushed back for an on time departure!

We did a 4am T1 check in end of November. Pleasantly surprised with security. Of course that was then.

 

[LS@MAN]

Looks like I’ll be on the 0625 BA to Heathrow in a couple of Saturday’s time - first time on that route since 2004, on a 757! Anyone got recent experience of T1 Saturday morning security queues - trying to decide what time to book a taxi. Arriving at the airport 2 hours before with an online boarding pass and no baggage isn’t attractive at that time in a morning!

All a bit different to when I used to regularly get the early shuttle in the late 80s - record was getting out of the taxi (they’d cocked up) 12 minutes before departure, and sitting down just as we pushed back for an on time departure!

I flew to Hamburg with Ryanair 3 weeks ago on a Saturday morning from T1.
I arrived at 6am for a 8.05am departure...20 mins roughly in security queue...but it's hit and miss at MAN as usual so each day it varies...good luck!

 

[LS@MAN]

Reading (hopefully rumours) over on the Pprune site that Jet2 will move some ops back to T1 (again!) for the summer season as T2 is full...?!

A big backwards step given T2 is meant to be the "main" terminal at MAN now and the permeant home of Jet2.
From an airfield capacity perspective, with the new remote stands, I don't see how T2 can be full?!
Maybe currently from a terminal perspective, due to a lack of staff...

 

[marni1971]

Maybe currently from a terminal perspective, due to a lack of staff...

Or lack of capacity. Even with the remote lounge it’s still missing two piers. Plus the legacy half is closed and the baggage system is not complete yet.

 

[KARFA]

I am not wanting to start a debate on masks, this is just supposed to be to help update folks on changes. I see MAN has changed their policy now on masks and says they are strongly recommended rather than compulsory. Obviously some airlines still require masks onboard.

Some other airport in England still have policies requiring you to wear masks unless exempt. Any mask policies in England are now based on what each airport states as their own policy as the legal requirement has fallen away.

Coronavirus Testing Information | Manchester Airport

Testing facilities are no longer available at Manchester Airport. Testing must be arranged with a third-party supplier before travelling to the airport.

www.manchesterairport.co.uk

• Manchester Airport strongly recommends the wearing of face coverings in all parts of the airport campus, including on airport buses, so please bring a face covering with you. Many airlines are continuing to make face coverings mandatory, so passengers are advised to check this with their carrier before flying. Additional masks will be available to purchase inside the terminal. All our staff will also be wearing a face mask or covering in passenger areas of the terminal.

 

[Scottie Dog]

Thanks KARFA for flagging that change in policy by MAG which, I suppose, is in line with government policy..

 

[LS@MAN]

I’m hearing more and more “rumours” about T3 opening on 27th March. Initially it was potentially opening in April…so until MAG/MAN make an official announcement, I’m not believing anything.

I have noticed recently the BA shuttle using T1 stands and airbridge maintenance taking place at T3 so this could be a small clue…