Manchester Airport Transformation Programme

[billboy80]

View attachment 8898 View attachment 8898 Prior to TP there were 27 airbridges and 8 additional gates. If the Airbridges on Pier B and C are retained minus the Pier C Satellite TP would see 35 airbridges. That would be a 30% increase in airbridges. If the Satellite is retained that would see 39 airbridges a 44% increase in airbridges. Of course this does not tell the full story as prior to TP a number of airbridges were put out of use when a Heavy aircraft was parked on an adjacent stand. TP has worked to prevent this situation on the new Piers, which will potentially allow simultaneous use of all of the airbridges at the same time, even when a significant number of Heavy aircraft are parked on gates.

I wonder if Pier B and C will be used primarily by the likes of EasyJet and the low costs as they are more than showing their age and even a full refurbishment can’t make a significant difference. They have in my view been horrible since regulations banned arriving and departing passengers mixing.

I remember finding Pier B dated back in the 80’s and was always happier when I could fly from Pier C Satellite and sadly that’s over 30 years ago now.

 

[Scottie Dog]

Great feedback. Many thanks for asking the questions.

 

[Scottie Dog]

Another week has gone by and this time I have 2 updates for you.

The first is taken from last Friday's PlaneTalk, to whom full credit is given. Please have the courtesy of not copying to any other forum.

Many thanks.

In addition to these photos I highly recommend that everybody interested looks at the Manchester Airport Facebook pages for more updates.

 

[Scottie Dog]

My second set of updates are from my own visit to the airport today.

General view across the West Apron - there were 5 Virgin aircraft on stand.

Terminal 2 contact stands were fully utilised.

Pier 1 continues to get it's cover - I must admit I personally don't like the way that the Nodes and link bridges are covered, they would look a lot better if they were glazed.

Looking towards the T2 extension, with the Link Connector from Pier 1 on the right and the new multi-storey car park on the left.

The west side of Pier 1. Work is coming along nicely. I noticed that the new apron looks to have been laid down as far as the third node from the camera. Stands on the outside of the pier will be odd-numbered 101-111.

The north side of the multi-storey car park.

The full length of the Terminal 2 extension is now apparent.

Looking back at the car park structure.

T2 extension with the car park beyond.

The extension starts to connect to the existing terminal. The shapes however just do not seem to match up!!

The speed of work is fantastic.

My final shot of the day of the showing the framework as it grows.

The extension grows over the existing building.

A very interesting and useful display sign on one of the hoardings near the car park.

The benefit of having a contact within the old tower block resulted in my being able to get the photograph (taken through dirty glass) of the work that has started on taxiway Echo.

 

[Scottie Dog]

Updates from PlaneTalk, to whom full credit is given, dated 21st June. Please do not copy this to any other forums or sites- please respect this request.

The area between the far side of the apron and the car park is where I have been told I am no longer permitted to take photographs due to security concerns.

 

[Scottie Dog]

This week's PlaneTalk update is given below. Please do not copy or reproduce these on any other sites.

This is the work for Taxiway E

From recollection is photo shows Staff West car park in the background. The first run of PQ concrete has already been done beyond the Wet Lean.This will become the taxiway around the west side of Pier 1 and lead to stands 101-111 (odd-numbers) plus 112.

 

[Scottie Dog]

Where has the time gone? Oh well, time for another set of PlaneTalk updates for you all - the usual rules apply, please do not copy to any other forums or sites. Full credit is given to PlaneTalk.

This screenshot shows the 'state of play' for w/c 23rd July.

The above relates to work on new taxiway Echo

Work on taxiway Echo - as per previous screenshot.

First photo I have seen of fitting out work within the T2 extension.

This appears to be a shot looking towards taxiway November-Alpha from near Pier 1.

 

[Coathanger16]

Where has the time gone? Oh well, time for another set of PlaneTalk updates for you all - the usual rules apply, please do not copy to any other forums or sites. Full credit is given to PlaneTalk.

This screenshot shows the 'state of play' for w/c 23rd July.

The above relates to work on new taxiway Echo

Work on taxiway Echo - as per previous screenshot.

First photo I have seen of fitting out work within the T2 extension.

This appears to be a shot looking towards taxiway November-Alpha from near Pier 1.

Has the formatting of these posts changed? I used to be able to see the pictures but now I can only see the little picture icon followed by

 

[Scottie Dog]

It looks okay on my phone and I'm sure it was also the usual display on my laptop when I posted the images.

I'll be interested in any other comments.

 

[Comet]

It looks fine to me.

 

[RhysTheBeast]

No issue with your images either, Scottie.

 

[Coathanger16]

Tried now on my laptop, iPad and another laptop and all are the same - could it be something to do with my account?

 

[marni1971]

Fine here on iPad.

 

[Aviador]

Tried now on my laptop, iPad and another laptop and all are the same - could it be something to do with my account?

Have you tried a different browser? Give that a go and if that doesn't work try clearing your cookies, that will usually always sort most problems.

One other thing you could try is right clicking on the image then click show image. That's the Microsoft version of doing it but I expect Apple have a similar way of doing the same.

 

[BlueManc]

Reports of a Jet2 737 on the new 901 stand. Anyone close by for a pic?

 

[Scottie Dog]

BlueManc

I don't know if anybody will be able to post photos of aircraft on stand 901/903 at the moment. On 18th May when I was walking alongside Staff West I was warned by a Galliford Try employee that taking photos of that area was not permitted and that I should turn around and walk away. This directive was also confirmed to me, in email, by the Galliford Try Aviation Director.

At the moment I believe that parking is on a test basis only and that the stands do not become officially operational until some date in August.

 

[BlueManc]

Wow! Official Secrets Act for some high tech concrete? Unbelievable.

Anyway, thanks for letting us know of your skirmish with 'The Man'.

 

[Aviador]

I don't know the layout but if the stand is viewable from the perimeter there's absolutely no law that's says you can't take pictures.

 

[Scottie Dog]

However since you'd be on private airport land (Staff West car park) there might be an airport bylaw.

 

[Aviador]

However since you'd be on private airport land (Staff West car park) there might be an airport bylaw.

Yes of course. Airport bi-laws can stipulate no photography and they are well within their rights to do that as they are on private land but I think it's unlikely they'd insist on it. Airside photography is common place at all UK airports and Manchester is no exception with numerous aircraft pictures taken airside featured on dozens of websites. I think the person in question thinks he's guarding a military instalation.