Manchester Airport Transformation Programme

[lfc84]

The signs indicating closure were there on Thursday and also when I passed through the airport on Monday

 

[CCGE29]

The signs indicating closure were there on Thursday and also when I passed through the airport on Monday

Until the 18th July, to allow for construction at the T2 end of the Skylink.

Closed Monday-Thursday 1700-0100.

CCGE29

 

[LS@MAN]

For those who wish to know, the first part or the refurbished departure lounge is planned to open w/c 28th Jul.

This includes the new route to the old East Pier (D Gates) through the new VCC.

FedEx have now vacated building 300, leaving Swissport (who move in August), WFS and MAG.

MAG are vacating the site in late 2025 - partially to a site off Wilmslow Old Road (Clough Bank Farm).

In other news, MAG have also purchased the land around Boundary Farm (Formally used by Toad Parking) to the south of the airport, this is for a new car park with 1800 spaces.

CCGE29

Thanks for the valuable info as always

On the subject of T3 and the improvements, is there any estimated completion date for the upstairs to be completed?
I’m just thinking would there be more seating available prior to the peak summer period…

I use T3 quite frequently with Ryanair so I’m looking forward to these improvements. My only other hope (not mentioned anywhere I don’t think) is that they create a new walkway from the T1 duty free through to T3 departures instead of that narrow corridor when you sometimes have to wait for boarding at gate 141!

 

[joshl257]

The only time I have ever used gate 141 is with BA's first flight out around 7AM. if they knock the wall down to check in I don't think it will be an issue. T3 was originally T1 domestic so there are bits that are bottlenecks. even gate 142 and 143 is not brilliant. I was hoping BA would be in T2 for August but looks like it will be October now. Apparently BA temporary lounge in T3 is getting mixed reviews.

 

[KARFA]

ba very rarely (if at all) uses 141 now. the gate area around 142 is 143 is poor. it is basically boarding from a corridor. perhaps adequate 20 years ago, but no good when you have an a321neo with 220 passengers.

tbh i am somewhat torn, some things will be better in t2 (security, space generally, gate area), some things worse (much longer distances, poor arrivals arrangement due to no segregated route). at least in t3 i can be out and at the station within 10 minutes.

the temp lounge is ok. they have done their best to provide something during the summer when ba weren't really supposed to be in t3 anymore. it is certainly quieter and calmer than the escape lounge. reasonable drinks range, and range of cold food.

 

[CCGE29]

A further update -

6 airbridges now installed on the new pier (C Gates)

First part of the T2 renovation opens on the 28th July - this includes

StarBucks
Joe and the Juice
Upper Crust
Lego
Rituals
Pandora
World Duty Free

Also opening is the new route to the East Pier (D Gates) - without the need of multiple level changes.

With the new route opening, this will allow gates 307(D7) & 308(D8) to re open fully in late August.

Wetherspoons opens later in the summer and the ‘Great Northern Market’ is planned to open in November. Likewise the other half of the renovated departure lounge is planned to open in November.

Segregated Domestic arrivals trials are taking place over the next couple of weeks - the new domestic arrivals exit is roughly where WHSmith used to be in the old arrivals hall. CTA arrivals will be mixed with international with the use of biometrics as already discussed further up the thread.

CCGE29

 

[KARFA]

i assume to use the segregated domestic arrivals can only use certain arrival gates? do you happen to know which ones they would be?

 

[LS@MAN]

i assume to use the segregated domestic arrivals can only use certain arrival gates? do you happen to know which ones they would be?

I’ve noticed the biometrics installed at quite at few of the pier 1 gates already at both departure and arrival ends.
It was also mentioned previously some of the B gates were also getting the biometrics installed.

A further update -

6 airbridges now installed on the new pier (C Gates)

First part of the T2 renovation opens on the 28th July - this includes

StarBucks
Joe and the Juice
Upper Crust
Lego
Rituals
Pandora
World Duty Free

Also opening is the new route to the East Pier (D Gates) - without the need of multiple level changes.

With the new route opening, this will allow gates 307(D7) & 308(D8) to re open fully in late August.

Wetherspoons opens later in the summer and the ‘Great Northern Market’ is planned to open in November. Likewise the other half of the renovated departure lounge is planned to open in November.

Segregated Domestic arrivals trials are taking place over the next couple of weeks - the new domestic arrivals exit is roughly where WHSmith used to be in the old arrivals hall. CTA arrivals will be mixed with international with the use of biometrics as already discussed further up the thread.

CCGE29

Thanks as always for the update.

it hopefully will be nice to coincide the opening of the final areas of the departure lounge in November, with airline transfers over to T2 and in particular easyJet!

I count 13 stands on pier 2, how many airbridge’s in total then?

And one last question, when can we expect the dual taxiway system to be operational?

 

[marni1971]

I’ve noticed the biometrics installed at quite at few of the pier 1 gates already at both departure and arrival ends.
It was also mentioned previously some of the B gates were also getting the biometrics installed.



Thanks as always for the update.

it hopefully will be nice to coincide the opening of the final areas of the departure lounge in November, with airline transfers over to T2 and in particular easyJet!

I count 13 stands on pier 2, how many airbridge’s in total then?

And one last question, when can we expect the dual taxiway system to be operational?

If I may, plans show 11 airbridges. 12 if you include 302/4 whenever that may be.

Depending who you talk to, easyJet may slip to next year.

 

[KARFA]

I’ve noticed the biometrics installed at quite at few of the pier 1 gates already at both departure and arrival ends.
It was also mentioned previously some of the B gates were also getting the biometrics installed.

yes, but that won't be the domestic segregated route that @CCGE29 mentions. the biometrics are for those mixing in to international arrivals and then being able to bypass immigration with a second biometric pass. a segregated domestic arrivals route would be like there is in t3 down from 143/142 where you don't mix with non CTA arrivals.

 

[LS@MAN]

yes, but that won't be the domestic segregated route that @CCGE29 mentions. the biometrics are for those mixing in to international arrivals and then being able to bypass immigration with a second biometric pass. a segregated domestic arrivals route would be like there is in t3 down from 143/142 where you don't mix with non CTA arrivals.

Not sure then, but my understanding was at the moment the Gurnsey flight into T2 uses the same route as the international arrivals just with a separate lane at immigration to bypass passport control.

 

[KARFA]

Not sure then, but my understanding was at the moment the Gurnsey flight into T2 uses the same route as the international arrivals just with a separate lane at immigration to bypass passport control.

yes so they are not domestic but are CTA. they mix with international arrivals so biometrics are taken on joining that international arrivals corridor, mix with international arrivals, and then use the section to the left of immigration for CTA arrivals where they do biometrics again (i.e. check it is the same person that came of the GCI flight) and bypass immigration.

i am asking about the separate segregated domestic route which @CCGE29 mentioned though.

 

[LS@MAN]

yes so they are not domestic but are CTA. they mix with international arrivals so biometrics are taken on joining that international arrivals corridor, mix with international arrivals, and then use the section to the left of immigration for CTA arrivals where they do biometrics again (i.e. check it is the same person that came of the GCI flight) and bypass immigration.

i am asking about the separate segregated domestic route which @CCGE29 mentioned though.

Ah yes, sorry! I was getting confused between CTA and domestic arrivals.

Good question then, although last time I was in pier 1 there were a lot of the gates with the biometrics installed, so I would think departures would certainly take place from the “normal” gates/stands.
You would expect the Loganair flights and the Aer Lingus ATR’s to use the B gates.

 

[marni1971]

like there is in t3 down from 143/142 where you don't mix with non CTA arrivals.

You mix post immigration and all exit via the same door from baggage reclaim.

There is suggestion T2X will have a separate exit for domestic arrivals - in effect bypassing baggage reclaim - but I can’t see how that would fit.

 

[KARFA]

You mix post immigration and all exit via the same door from baggage reclaim.

There is suggestion T2X will have a separate exit for domestic arrivals - in effect bypassing baggage reclaim - but I can’t see how that would fit.

yes i know about the mixing route and described it myself a few posts up.

that isn't a segregated domestic arrivals route currently though, but @CCGE29 mentions trials are taking place on a segregated domestic arrivals route in the next few weeks. I would like to understand a bit more on that please.

can i suggest that we allow @CCGE29 to actually answer the question?

 

[Trumpington]

I’ve noticed the biometrics installed at quite at few of the pier 1 gates already at both departure and arrival ends.
It was also mentioned previously some of the B gates were also getting the biometrics installed.



Thanks as always for the update.

it hopefully will be nice to coincide the opening of the final areas of the departure lounge in November, with airline transfers over to T2 and in particular easyJet!

I count 13 stands on pier 2, how many airbridge’s in total then?

And one last question, when can we expect the dual taxiway system to be operational?

Yes, what's opening date of dual echo taxiway and closure of remote stands on western apron in front of sheds?

 

[CCGE29]

yes i know about the mixing route and described it myself a few posts up.

that isn't a segregated domestic arrivals route currently though, but @CCGE29 mentions trials are taking place on a segregated domestic arrivals route in the next few weeks. I would like to understand a bit more on that please.

can i suggest that we allow @CCGE29 to actually answer the question?

Long term domestic arrivals will be bussed to the new VCC (the building extension equivalent to where stand 209 used to be). They will then exit via a segregated route at the eastern end of the terminal. Also in the VCC Building is an additional international arrivals drop off - this is to reduce congestion at B12.

Taxiway Delta/Echo lighting hardware should all be installed by mid August after which various phases of testing will take place. The timescale for the opening of the taxiway is reliant on the opening of stands on the new pier.

CCGE29

 

[KARFA]

Long term domestic arrivals will be bussed to the new VCC (the building extension equivalent to where stand 209 used to be). They will then exit via a segregated route at the eastern end of the terminal. Also in the VCC Building is an additional international arrivals drop off - this is to reduce congestion at B12.

Many thanks

 

[LS@MAN]

Yes, what's opening date of dual echo taxiway and closure of remote stands on western apron in front of sheds?

As mentioned above, this depends on the opening of pier 2, which we know will happen in a phased approach from September.

 

[Haz]

You mix post immigration and all exit via the same door from baggage reclaim.

There is suggestion T2X will have a separate exit for domestic arrivals - in effect bypassing baggage reclaim - but I can’t see how that would fit.

CTA arrivals do not pass through immigration controls, however they do need to pass through customs (on exit from the baggage hall) hence why it makes sense to combine the route with international arrivals (with the biometric bypass around immigration).

Domestic neither pass through immigration or customs, hence why a separate route is required. What’s unclear is if all domestic arrivals will be bussed to the VCC or with time there would be a segregated walking route from some stands (Presumably 307/308).

Regarding flight transfers. Is anyone aware of a route from domestic arrivals? Or will it be necessary to “arrive” and head back upstairs to go through security?