Manchester Airport Transformation Programme

[Scottie Dog]

MARS Stands 215 and 216/216L were returned to service at 0800 yesterday (17th July). Maximum aircraft size for Stand 215 is 737-MAX9 and for 216L 787-8. Stand 216 maximum size is A350-900 or A330-300, however if Stand 216 is used then Stand 215 is unavailable.

 

[David_itl]

New renders

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/work-starting-new-1bn-super-13362256

 

[Dobbo]

I'll have a more substantive response later, but I'm actually okay with this.

The inside is not as bright and airy as I'd like, and certainly not as bright as the 2015 renders (which with hindsight were unrealistic aspirations).

My first reservation is that expressed by @User001 about the piers. We have gone from 3, to 4, to 2.5. It seems a little odd. However, they do not require planning consent and it is obvious what the mid term aspiration is for. On the flip side, the render and video inside the piers look pretty roomy. Let's hope they don't cut corners with the look and style.

The other reservation is that the video only shows "new" bits of the terminal. This is understandable, but I am concerned that the external look (i.e. New bit bolted on the the old bit) will be replicated in the internal look. I'm sure the objective is to renovate the inside of the old bit of the building, but shots like the one attached to this posting demonstrate that small changes to the cosmetics should make a huge difference to the overall feel of the new terminal.

View attachment 5631

 

[User001]

So, onto my thoughts about the actual MAN-TP.

1) when this TP was first made public, the big emphasis was 'we want to end the bolt on culture', referring to the fact the majority of MAN's evolution has come from just 'adding bits on'.

So, what do they go and do? They go and bolt the new bit of T2 on to the old bit, with absalutely no attempt made to 'sew' the fabric together. It's just a case of 'there's the old bit, and there's the new bit'. Even internally, when you watch the latest fly through, there has been no attempt to make a 'sweeping' check in to make it all look the same. You can clearly see where the old bit was, it's not really being updated! You just couldn't make this s*%t up!

2) the maze of shops.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not naive, I'm not stupid, I know the majority of airport revenue now comes from retail and car parking. I know why MAN needs to put retail into the terminal.

But, to create what can only be described as a maze of shops where you can't see the end of the maze from the starting point is one thing, but then to have that annoying narration actually try and insult our intelligence by stating this basically 'isn't a maze of shops' is another level of annoyance all together!

3) the 'new' western pier.
So, MAN were convinced to demolish the current western pier, and build a new one. 'That's ok' I thought. 'They could make the new one just as light and airy as the old' I mused. How wrong was I. It's now a narrow, up and down Luton-esque passageway that does no justice to the rest of the terminal at all. It looks bloody horrific. The finger pier itself is lovely, but the passageway to it, Jesus, what are they smoking!

4) low ceilings.
Why the low ceilings everywhere all of a sudden? The old renders had the current high ceilings with roof Windows like they are just after security and just before duty free. Now, it's dark dingy corridors. Why? Just why?

5) Narrator 'lots of travelators to get you to the gates faster'. Yeah, lots of travelators that WONT BLOODY WORK! How about having a week of full travelators working on the skylink before you cockily announce how great the new travelators will be!

6) immigration. So many manned desks, yet they can't even manage to open 3 desks in the current terminal setups. Who exactly are they trying to fool when they have 30-40 desks?

7) the finger piers.
As said, to go from 4 to pretty much just 2 is ridiculous, especially when MAN made such a song and dance about having 'more contact stands'. Like I said too, why the pier leading directly off the main terminal body is the one they have chosen to hold back is just bonkers. What the hell has happened to these piers!

Overall, this terminal could have been something special. There are some great elements, such as that central staircase to the food courts, the lounge mock up looks fab, and if they had made the check in all the same right along the terminal, then, it would have looked amazing. Even security looks a bit better set up.

However, I just can't get excited by this project just yet. I feel there has been too much value engineering, and while I know most initial renders of building works do the same, I feel this project was over promised and under delivered. What the hell has happened to the finger piers is the biggest question, it was pretty much the foundation of this whole project. It's like getting everyone together for a quick 5 a side match and telling everyone 'we won't be needing a football for this game'!

It's just so frustrating. I appriciate there are budget constraints, logistics, planning etc, but, it just seems they have gone for price over quality, something that could be longer lasting. This feels like they will need to spend a lot more on post-build Maintence etc, so, will pay for it all either way.....

 

[Dobbo]

Bolt on culture

On this point I 100% agree that more can and should be done to give the terminal a joined up feel.

I don't expect MAN to tear down a 25 year old building, but some relatively minor internal and external cosmetic changes can be incorporated as highlighted below.

Image 1
View attachment 5633

Image 1 is a screen grab from the new walk through. It appears to show a largely unmodified check in area.

Image 2

View attachment 5634

Contrast with image 2, which shows the new part of the terminal building. I would have expected to see the entire check in are brought up to this standard. Ditto security and the other features when the old building is renovated to tie in with the new one. Hopefully this work will be done.

Some additional images showing that the new terminal is likely to be 50% old style and 50% new style.


View attachment 5635

Shows the end of the "mall" section. If you look behind the mock up car advert you can see the old building.

View attachment 5636

Not the best angle, but if you look behind the mock up woman you can see the old part of arrivals.

I'd like to see or hear how they plan to renovate the inside of the old terminal building.

 

[Scottie Dog]

OAN 62/2017 – MAN-TP WEST PIER PHASE 5 CONFIGURATION & PASSENGER ACCESS

1.0 SUMMARY
Delivery of the final configuration of Stands 213 to 216. A new passenger boarding lounge and walkway will be introduced serving Stands 213 to 216. Departing passenger walking routes to aircraft will change and arriving passengers will be bussed to the terminal. A Terminal Operations Notice will also refer.

2.0 PROGRAMME
2.1 Commencing Monday 21st August from 1000 hours and expected to be completed Friday 25th August 2017.
2.2. Stand 213 will be the first to become served by the lounge and walkway. Stands 214 to 216 will progressively become served via the lounge and walkway as modifications are completed.

3.0 CHARACTERISTICS
3.1 Gate Lounge A new gate lounge on the site of the former Stand 212 will come into operation, serving Stands 213 to 216 via a covered walkway along the terminal front. The lounge provides a gate area for departing passengers only. This in itself has no bearing on apron operations.

 

[Dobbo]

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co...ster-airport-terminal-two-demolition-13558175
New "lounge" opened officially.

Cheers David - some interesting points that I think are new (or reaffirmed):

• The goal is for the completion of Terminal Two by 2020 - but significant changes will be noticeable as early as 2019.
• It is also hoped the hub will get US pre-clearance so passengers can get through immigration, customs and agricultural inspection before boarding their flight.
• Car parking plans would boost current spaces by 2,553.
• Terminal One will be demolished.

 

[Scottie Dog]

OAN 65 / 2017 – TERMINAL 2 WEST PIER DEMOLITION

OAN REF:- 65/2017 DATE OF ISSUE:- 30/08/17 EFFECTIVE DATE:- 04/09/17 31/12/17 EXPIRY DATE:- 31/12/17

1.0 SUMMARY
Following the opening of the new gate lounge and covered walkway, the West Pier of Terminal 2 – formerly serving Gates 212 to 215, will be demolished in preparation for re-development. Safe control of the works will require some stand closures at off-peak times.

2.0 PROGRAMME
2.1 Overall: Monday 4th September until approximately Friday 22nd December 2017. Working hours Monday to Friday 0800-2200 hours (local) and at other times when advised by the project manager.

3.0 SCOPE & LOCATION OF WORKS
3.1 All works take place Landside to demolish the West Pier structure at Terminal Two. The site is immediately adjacent to the covered passenger walkway serving Stands 213 to 216.
• Demolition of the concrete and steel structures comprising the West Pier and the ‘pepper pots’ at the former Gates 213, 214 and 215.
• Demolition is by mechanical devices, no explosives will be used.

 

[Dobbo]

Apparently demolition of the west pier is due to start next week.

 

[Dobbo]

They are racing along.

Difficult to tell how tall the floors will be - very little perspective - albeit the overall height is more than I expected.

Odd that the Middle floor has steel bars running through it. I assume this floor is for arrivals (top departures) so this may disrupt the flow of passengers.

 

[Dobbo]

Here is a reminder of what the finished structure should look like from a similar angle (screenshot from the latest fly through).

View attachment 6102

 

[User001]

T2 drop off will close on 19th October to start the new drop off zone and links to the M56 roundabout.

All pick ups and drop offs will be on the ground floor, and will remain free of charge.

 

[Aviador]

If anybody is able to upload their own photos of the MATP progress I will be able to use them the front page along with any major post submission updates to promote this thread as well as promoting the airport here on Forums4airports.

Construction, Development & Future Visions
http://www.forums4airports.com/media/categories/4/

 

[User001]

You can use the one in post #50 as I have full permission to use it.

 

[User001]

https://www.trbusiness.com/regional...eting-drive-ahead-of-t2-transformation/128851

 

[Dobbo]

It would be interesting to hear what F&B and retail brands / businesses forum members would like to see in the new terminal...

 

[Coathanger16]

Does MAG currently have a webpage with webcam or time lapse footage of the TP? If not, does anyone know if they have plans to once more of the structure goes up?

 

[User001]

There is a monthly time lapse that I did post in the original thread, can't remember if it got copied over. There is a delay in the August and sept Ones but will post when they are available

 

[Comet]

Does anyone know why the piers are not a bit longer to reach the last couple of stands on each.

 

[Dobbo]

Excellent! I hate the closed in feel of the current piers. Much prefer glass sides.

In answer to Comet's question, the only justifications I can think of are: cost, flexibility (less structure close to the taxiway); and the potential utility of having walk on gates at the end which can be loaded from the ground level?