My apologies #LS@MAN and I have no excuses - apart from old age!!
The following is a resume of the main items of interest - taken from the managing director's report to the committee:
Impact on flying programme
Like all airports globally, Manchester Airport has seen a significant reduction in traffic because of the pandemic.
Between April and September 2020:
We handled around 1.7m passengers, compared with 17.4m in the same period in 2019.
Air Traffic Movements stood at 20,646 compared to 115,271 in 2019, a reduction of 82%.
Cargo amounted to just 14,344 tonnes handled down 75% from 57,228 during the same period in 2019.
Business impact
COVID -19 has had a significant impact to the aviation industry with airports around the world seeing passenger numbers drop by over 90% between March and July. The recovery of our sector has been stifled by the removal of ‘safe’ status of key markets.
Having been through a process of reducing costs throughout the business, including an operating model change that reduced our leadership population by over 25%, we are now having to take further action. A formal group wide consultation process has begun with airport employees and our recognised Trade Unions to explore several additional measures that are needed in order to protect the future of the business.
The proposals will match resource to demand, help to provide financial stability and ensure that the business is best placed to accommodate growth when it returns.
Subject to the outcome of this consultation process, there is potential for up 465 Full Time Equivalent roles to be removed from Manchester Airport.
COVID-19 measures
COVID-19 workplace risk assessments have been carried out for all office based and non-office-based work environments. Measures to conform to Government policy, COVID-19 guidelines, and aviation best practice, have been put in place. In the public areas changes have included:
Five-minute loop public address system announcements encouraging distancing and outlining that face covering is mandatory, as well as requesting only one member of a travelling party attends the reclaim belt for baggage collection.
Perspex screens installed at all check-in desks and most gates (all gates were completed by the end of September).
COVID-19 safety advisory posters in all customer journey locations.
Hand sanitizer in all customer journey locations; some with targeted floor markings.
Some seating has been taken out of the departure lounges to provide more space for distancing.
Mandatory face coverings and provision of vending machines to purchase masks.
Introduction of a facility for guests to book a 15-minute slot for security screening, through a separate lane, to reduce dwell time. This is a trial and slots can be booked free of charge via our website.
Introduction of UV light sanitisers to disinfect security trays.
One-way systems implemented (where possible).
Provision of ‘health declaration stands’ in immigration.
These measures are, of course, underwritten by an enhanced cleaning regime delivered by Mitie. Mitie have been working with Citrox Bio Science to sanitise our buildings, clean, seal and protect all touchpoint surfaces for six-months. This has been achieved using two products:
1. Citrox -A natural product used as a disinfectant deployed using a misting machine to cover the whole area of a room.
2. CitroxProtect -A combination product used for sealing non-porous surfaces.
Passenger facilities
During the pandemic we have closely monitored the flow and number of passengers/airlines using our site and matched the Terminal/Airfield facilities open/available to the demand at any one time. We reduced operations to a single terminal (Terminal 1) for April, May, and June. As the operations increased Terminal 3 re-opened on 1st July and Terminal 2 reopened on 15th July. Almost immediately after we reopened all Terminals in anticipation of flights and passenger numbers increasing for the school holidays, the government removed our major market, Spain from the travel corridors and therefore we consolidated the operation into Terminals 1 and 3.
Since the lifting of some restrictions we have been able to reopen the Escape Lounges in Terminals 1 and 3. JD Sports, Travel Bureau, Burger King, Grain Loft, Giraffe, Bar MCR, Starbucks, Greggs, KFC, Fat Face, Dixons, Pret a Manger and Caffè Nero have all reopened now too. It has been fantastic to see a ‘buzz’ coming back with people returning to their jobs and passengers able to enjoy their journeys again, after the rather austere facilities we were forced to offer our guests in April, May, and June.
MANCHESTER TRANSFORMATION PROGRAMME
Construction work on the new Terminal 2 extension, forecourt, airfield apron expansion and the first phase of Pier 2 are now substantially complete. We plan to open Terminal 2, for passengers, with these new facilities early in February 2021. The later phases of MAN-TP work, incorporating the completion of the Terminal 2 reconfiguration, baggage system, airfield and the second and third piers, have been deferred pending recovery of passenger volumes. Over the next few months work will continue onsite with the fitout of food and beverage facilities.
DEVELOPMENTS
A2 Drop & Go car park The new A2 Drop & Go car park opened in August. This new product provides 8,000 car park spaces over six levels (150,000m2 ). The facility serves all three terminals, unlike our other Meet & Greet products which are terminal specific. All guests need to do is leave their keys at the brand-new reception area, where they can self-check-in and our drivers will park-up for them in the secure car park.
Customer Transport Airfield Centre
The new Customer Transport Airfield Centre (CTAC) opened in August. CTAC, for the first time, provides a dedicated base for all the airside bussing fleet, as well as brand new colleague welfare facilities. The opening was preceded by a period of familiarisation and training.
OPERATIONAL DATA
On Time Performance (OTP)
On Time Performance (OTP), by departing aircraft, is determined by many factors; these may be airline, weather, airport related, en-route or from the destination airport. On a month-by-month basis performance was as follows:
April -On time performance for all flights was 93.2% and 100% for first wave.
May -On time performance for all flights was 92.5% and 94.7% for first wave.
June -On time performance for all flights was 89.4% and 91.4% for first wave.
July -On time performance for all flights was 93.5% and 95.1% for first wave.
August -On time performance for all flights was 92.8% and 95.6% for first wave.
September -On time performance for all flights was 95.0% and 94.5% for first wave.
Whilst many other topics were discussed I feel that out of courtesy to both MAG and, more importantly the MACC, I will refrain from posting more at the present time.
