Manchester Airport Transformation Programme

[David_itl]

Here''s the latest artist's impressions.

"The airport today announced a £440 million project to complete the new T2 building - the investment marking the final phase of the £1.3bn transformation programme first unveiled in 2015."

https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...t-glimpse-inside-manchester-airports-26060955

 

[marni1971]

More CGI here

https://twitter.com/x/status/1618147486324985856

 

[BlueManc]

Intrigued what a decommissioned Pier B/C looks like. Desolate empty shells with stands used for remote parking?

 

[ian_h]

Intrigued what a decommissioned Pier B/C looks like. Desolate empty shells with stands used for remote parking?

If the original plan is being implemented then Pier B will be refurbished to become part of an enlarged T3 , Pier C however I font recall seeing any plans for although demolishing it would open up space for remote and eventually further T2 expansion.

 

[LS@MAN]

Maybe a daft question, but would today's T2 or T3 be re-numbered?
If T1 is closing and you are only having 2 terminals on site...

 

[lfc84]

They might do what LHR did

 

[Billboy66]

The initial plan was that when the TP was completed that T2 would have three new piers CGI of T2 with 3 piers and connection to former T1 Pier C

The first new pier has obviously been constructed and has a mixture of narrow and widebody gates (T2 A Pier). The second pier (B Pier) was to be shorter than the other two piers and would be an extension from the new T2 B gates (used to bus to remote stands). The 3rd new Pier (C Pier) was to be of a similar length to first new pier (A Pier) and would include the A380 gates and airline lounges if I remember correctly.

The CGI also showed the potential for a connector to T1 Pier C (which could be refurbished and re-designated as T2 Pier D). A refurbished T1 Pier B could also become part of an expanded T3.

We know T1 is closing in 2025 so the airport will require at least one new A380 compatible gate by then (which I’m guessing will be part of the now confirmed second new Pier at T2).

Does anyone have any further information as to whether today’s confirmed second new pier will be a continuation from the new B gates (T2 B Pier) or a T2 C Pier? We know thanks to Scottie Dog that legacy gates 209-212 have been taken out of service but that would be expected due to them being directly attached to the front of the main T2 terminal building which we know is being extensively refurbished. Therefore the closure of these gates does not necessarily make it more likely that the new second pier will be a continuation of the B gates.

I would imagine it would be significantly cheaper to build a new B pier and refurbish the T2 legacy pier gates 201-208 than it would be to build the second pier as the a new C pier. This arrangement would also have the benefit of providing more airbridge connected stands in the interim before the money becomes available to build a third new pier at T2.

 

[LS@MAN]

The initial plan was that when the TP was completed that T2 would have three new piers CGI of T2 with 3 piers and connection to former T1 Pier C

The first new pier has obviously been constructed and has a mixture of narrow and widebody gates (T2 A Pier). The second pier (B Pier) was to be shorter than the other two piers and would be an extension from the new T2 B gates (used to bus to remote stands). The 3rd new Pier (C Pier) was to be of a similar length to first new pier (A Pier) and would include the A380 gates and airline lounges if I remember correctly.

The CGI also showed the potential for a connector to T1 Pier C (which could be refurbished and re-designated as T2 Pier D). A refurbished T1 Pier B could also become part of an expanded T3.

We know T1 is closing in 2025 so the airport will require at least one new A380 compatible gate by then (which I’m guessing will be part of the now confirmed second new Pier at T2).

Does anyone have any further information as to whether today’s confirmed second new pier will be a continuation from the new B gates (T2 B Pier) or a T2 C Pier? We know thanks to Scottie Dog that legacy gates 209-212 have been taken out of service but that would be expected due to them being directly attached to the front of the main T2 terminal building which we know is being extensively refurbished. Therefore the closure of these gates does not necessarily make it more likely that the new second pier will be a continuation of the B gates.

I would imagine it would be significantly cheaper to build a new B pier and refurbish the T2 legacy pier gates 201-208 than it would be to build the second pier as the a new C pier. This arrangement would also have the benefit of providing more airbridge connected stands in the interim before the money becomes available to build a third new pier at T2.

From the video on the airport's twitter page, it clearly shows the new pier will be the continuation of the current bussing lounge (Pier B).

Today, regarding the T2 legacy stands, I think it's only 201-208 in use (excluding stand 205, this hasn't been in use for a while and the airbridge has already been removed). I've noticed Jet2 boarding passengers via steps onto 737 & 757 aircraft at some of the legacy T2 stands due to airbridge's been taken out of service...so I don't know what the long term plans are for all of these gates/stands...

 

[Billboy66]

From the video on the airport's twitter page, it clearly shows the new pier will be the continuation of the current bussing lounge (Pier B).

Today, regarding the T2 legacy stands, I think it's only 201-208 in use (excluding stand 205, this hasn't been in use for a while and the airbridge has already been removed). I've noticed Jet2 boarding passengers via steps onto 737 & 757 aircraft at some of the legacy T2 stands due to airbridge's been taken out of service...so I don't know what the long term plans are for all of these gates/stands...

Thank you that is really helpful. I had noticed from Google maps that stand 205 no longer has an airbridge. It looks like you can accommodate a maximum of 4 widebodies via airbridge on the 201-208 legacy East pier. When doing so you lose the ability to use stands 207, 205 (airbridge already removed) and 203. I would imagine they would look to have the A380 stand on the new T2 B pier rather than reconfiguring the legacy East pier as it will likely be demolished within the next 10-15 years and replaced by a link to a new Pier C. The fact the existing stand arrangement on the legacy East pier allows you to accommodate up to 7 narrowbody aircraft does provide flexibility as the mix of narrowbody to widebody changes throughout the day. I can see them possibly choosing to remove the airbridges from 207 and 203 as well.

I can only imagine that the new Pier B will be built to the maximum permissible length that can be facilitated by the new dual taxiway to T2 Pier A as it is reported that by 2025 T2 will accommodate 80% of customers travelling through the airport, making it a bit longer than Pier A but about the same length when you take into account it starts from the end of bussing lounge rather than the end of terminal building.

 

[marni1971]

the legacy East pier as it will likely be demolished within the next 10-15 years .

Legacy east isn’t planned to be removed. Any T1 link would come out of the end of it (earlier plans showed pier 4 connecting to pier C to provide the link until this was discounted)

A very unscientific and quick photoshop of B pier connecting to what is already built, based on available material and the design inside of the current stub:

 

[Rudney]

Great photoshop @marni1971 for a 'quick photoshop' job! I have a sneaky suspicion we won't see a third pier for some considerable time, but I hope I'm proven wrong! I can also envisage the recommissioning of T1 taking much longer than expected as well, again hope i'm proven wrong. Quite what will become of that mothballed space is intriguing to say the least, much of the mothballed T1 infrastructure by way of Tower Block etc has sat mostly redundant for decades. I found a link from a while back showing that there was scope for T3 to be extended out to where remote stands 56-58 currently are with a wrap around taxiway/further apron space. This would obviously encroach on Ringway Road and Midstay Carpark, but an interesting concept all the same. Anyone else seen this/got any thoughts?

Manchester Airport City - Urban Strategies

Manchester Airport’s status as the UK’s third largest aviation hub, combined with its projected growth to 50 million passengers over the next 25 years,

www.urbanstrategies.com

 

[Haz]

It would be interesting to see designs for the new pier B. I struggle to see how the short pier that was originally planned would provide enough capacity to allow the closure of T1. Also, an A380 stand would also need to be included which was originally planned for Pier C which as far as I’m aware will not be constructed by 2025 when T1 closes. Unless parts of T1 remain in use, or there is a considerable amount of remote parking with bussing I can’t see how 2025 is a realistic timescale for closing T1.

 

[marni1971]

Great photoshop @marni1971 for a 'quick photoshop' job! I have a sneaky suspicion we won't see a third pier for some considerable time, but I hope I'm proven wrong! I can also envisage the recommissioning of T1 taking much longer than expected as well, again hope i'm proven wrong. Quite what will become of that mothballed space is intriguing to say the least, much of the mothballed T1 infrastructure by way of Tower Block etc has sat mostly redundant for decades. I found a link from a while back showing that there was scope for T3 to be extended out to where remote stands 56-58 currently are with a wrap around taxiway/further apron space. This would obviously encroach on Ringway Road and Midstay Carpark, but an interesting concept all the same. Anyone else seen this/got any thoughts?

Manchester Airport City - Urban Strategies

Manchester Airport’s status as the UK’s third largest aviation hub, combined with its projected growth to 50 million passengers over the next 25 years,

www.urbanstrategies.com

The T3 extension was discounted by the airport due to the amount of services under Ringway Rd that would need to be moved. Apparently.

However, (so far) there is only the temporary parking deck that’s been built that would be in the way; the newer MSCPs all conspicuously leave the area open in the future for at least a pier and apron extension. It’s also interesting they built a new road between the two MSCPs which would be perfect should Ringway Rd ever need to be diverted.

 

[Rudney]

The T3 extension was discounted by the airport due to the amount of services under Ringway Rd that would need to be moved. Apparently.

However, (so far) there is only the temporary parking deck that’s been built that would be in the way; the newer MSCPs all conspicuously leave the area open in the future for at least a pier and apron extension. It’s also interesting they built a new road between the two MSCPs which would be perfect should Ringway Rd ever need to be diverted.

Ok interesting re. underneath of Ringway Rd, thanks for the info. I have often thought whether the positioning of the more permanent MSCPs and the temp parking deck was purposefully done for future term/apron growth...one to watch I guess!

 

[BlueManc]

The press release really got me puzzled but here is an image, confirming what was said. 2 piers and a massive space (like a USAF airbase ramp?)

https://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/at-the-airport/terminal-2/your-new-t2/

 

[Scottie Dog]

Thanks for finding that image - very interesting and disappointing.

Are those 2 A380s on Pier 2?

 

[marni1971]

Thanks for finding that image - very interesting and disappointing.

Are those 2 A380s on Pier 2?

They seem to be. With pier 3 (where they were originally) doing a vanishing act they appear to have been moved to pier 2.

 

[BlueManc]

Yes, 2 A380s.

It's got that M67 to Sheffield feel about it...

I suppose that the 2nd pier, no longer being a stub is a good thing and when the industry is healthy again, pier 3 comes along.

Not sure what the plan for pier c is. It's missing something!

 

[Land23R]

The press release really got me puzzled but here is an image, confirming what was said. 2 piers and a massive space (like a USAF airbase ramp?)

https://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/at-the-airport/terminal-2/your-new-t2/

Surely they can't leave a massive area like that when space on the airfield is extremely limited. There's no sign of the old T2 gates 201-208 being used as far as I can see. Remote parking until Pier 3 can be justified and affordable?

 

[marni1971]

Surely they can't leave a massive area like that when space on the airfield is extremely limited. There's no sign of the old T2 gates 201-208 being used as far as I can see. Remote parking until Pier 3 can be justified and affordable?

It’s been said elsewhere the legacy gates will be used as an alternative to building another pier at least for the medium term. Not ideal,I know.

I wouldn’t read too much into the art; my experience with concept art often shows it’s produced by people who aren’t entirely up to speed with the project. It seems more like they took the 3 pier artwork and just airbrushed pier 3 out and did nothing else. Unless of course they actually plan on 16 remote stands right there on the apron which would be laughable at best.