Manchester Airport Transformation Programme

[Trumpington]

Will no doubt cause confusion in future there being a T2 and T3, but no T1!? Expect T3 to become T1 in distant future!!

 

[Haz]

Now that the final arrangements for terminal moves have been confirmed, can anyone shed any more light on the T3 redevelopment? My assumption is that once check in and security have been vacated when RY move, the departure lounge will be expanded into those areas.

Longer term, there needs to be a new T3 check in and security area if the airport is to go ahead with its closure and demolition of T1. Logically this is something that needs to happen to facilitate future expansion of the airport onto the current T1 site.

It's been previously mentioned that the lower 2 floors of Olympic House could become the T3/RYR Check in and Security areas with a connection into the expanded departure lounge of T3. Is anyone aware if this plan is being progressed? Whilst it's not ideal repurposing an old office building, I can see the airports logic here. It's a relatively cheap solution that provides short-medium term capacity in T3 therefore allowing a complete demolition and long term redevelopment of T1.

 

[EGCC_MAN]

'Scottie Dog' advises that the latest Manchester Airport Consultative Committee Meeting is scheduled for this coming Friday, 10th October. I would expect some T1/T3 plans to be fleshed out there. I'll be watching for the feedback with interest.

 

[MKY661]

Will no doubt cause confusion in future there being a T2 and T3, but no T1!? Expect T3 to become T1 in distant future!!

I guess it will be LHR and JFK where some Terminal numbers are not used. While it may feel odd, this is normal so I'm guessing they may not change this atm.

Now that the final arrangements for terminal moves have been confirmed, can anyone shed any more light on the T3 redevelopment? My assumption is that once check in and security have been vacated when RY move, the departure lounge will be expanded into those areas.

Longer term, there needs to be a new T3 check in and security area if the airport is to go ahead with its closure and demolition of T1. Logically this is something that needs to happen to facilitate future expansion of the airport onto the current T1 site.

It's been previously mentioned that the lower 2 floors of Olympic House could become the T3/RYR Check in and Security areas with a connection into the expanded departure lounge of T3. Is anyone aware if this plan is being progressed? Whilst it's not ideal repurposing an old office building, I can see the airports logic here. It's a relatively cheap solution that provides short-medium term capacity in T3 therefore allowing a complete demolition and long term redevelopment of T1.

I'd imagine a lot of T1 won't be able to be demolished anyway without taking down parts of T3 such as the current security area, as they are essentially just the same building just segregated. As mentioned on another forum, wiring for T3 also runs through the main T1 building which would also need to be rerouted which is no easy job. Longer term I don't think this should affect the Piers, and if I was in MAN's shoes I would suggest a complete rebuild of Pier B. While it is outdated, it would be good to utilise the apron space with something similar in this way. Who knows what they have planned though.

Hopefully Pier 3 is still on the cards as well.

 

[Haz]

Long term T1 will have to be removed and the necessary works to reroute utilities carried out. It makes no sense for MAG to be so insistent on moving airlines out and closing T1 only for it to sit there empty for the next 30 years. Logically future expansion/improvement of the airport should be as a continuation eastwards of the existing T2 into what is the T1 site, hence why it is important that it is removed. After all the original planning application for the T2 works included demolition of T1.

I think short term the check in and security areas of T1 will continue to be used, but then a more longer term solution (such as repurposing parts of Olympic house) will be found to allow T3 to operate independently. This will allow complete closure of T1 and demolition (perhaps with B & C Piers remaining initially.

Long term (20-30 years) a new T1 could he built as a similar layout and footprint to T2 and we could potentially see piers 3, 4 and even 5 served by the 2 terminals.

 

[Tho]

In a perfect universe what Manchester would have probably done is completely rebuild Pier B to replicate Pier 1 at T2. Pier C would be knocked down and replaced by Piers C and 4. Also the original control tower block removed and all exterior walls of T1/3 replaced to make the outside actually look nice. Also the T1 MSCP would be demolished including check in and arrivals and replaced with an actual nice drop of and enterance/ exit like T2s. Then the new MSCP would be built where short stay is. In addition the two departure lounge areas and former T3 check in and security would have a complete overhaul and make a huge departures space. Obviously this is all very unrealistic but it does sound nice to imagine T1/3 like that!!!

 

[Trumpington]

Everything will be painfully slow. Maybe in 50 years piers, 3, 4 and 5 will be completed and T1 demolished

 

[Haz]

Everything will be painfully slow. Maybe in 50 years piers, 3, 4 and 5 will be completed and T1 demolished

Yes I’m sure it will be very slow progress. However not dealing with T1 will hamper the airports ability to expand. After all MAN TP hasn’t really added any additional capacity for growth. It won’t be long until T2 and the ‘improved T3’ will be at capacity.

If the airport weren’t planning on demolishing T1, there would be no point in closing it and spending all this money improving T3. They may as well have just kept T1 open. I’m sure MAG are acutely aware that the long term future of the airport given expected growth will need the space currently occupied by T1.

Let’s wait and see, I don’t think things will happen overnight with T1, but I would be very surprised if it is still there in 10 years time.

 

[marni1971]

MAN TP hasn’t really added any additional capacity for growth.

Let’s not forget it never was meant to.

 

[mullion]

The other thing it isn`t just a matter of pulling T1 down as that is not as easy as that

 

[Haz]

The other thing it isn`t just a matter of pulling T1 down as that is not as easy as that

Yes I agree. Will be a real challenge.. but it can’t stay there forever and at some point will have to come down. I’m sure they said the same about Terminal 2 at LHR which was of a similar era. I appreciate the capital investment available is never going to be on the same level as for LHR. But long term MAG will have ambitions to increase the volume of traffic using MAN which will require additional terminal capacity beyond that available in terminals 2 & 3. The only practical space available is that occupied by T1. So I guess the choice is to reopen a decrepit mothballed T1 when demand dictates, or make a long term plan for its eventual replacement which will also provide the opportunity to improve the airfield layout, piers, stands etc.

I would be very surprised if there isn’t a long term vision, but I doubt we will get to know it.

 

[Trumpington]

Who knows what will happen. Certainly the vision is to continue T2 expansion and bring Pier 3 and poss 4 on line. Pier C will eventually go and Pier B rebuild aligned to remodelled T3 utilising old T1 space. Who knows T1 will ever be demolished, Certainly old towers are an eyesore!! For now concentrate on T3 refurbishment and desperately needed remote stands to replace cargo sheds....for now at least T2 legacy and Pier C will remain in place probably for quite some time. Won't be much of net gain in stands, building Pier 3 and will cause disruption with loss of legacy and central remote stands....

 

[MKY661]

Loganair now confirming they will move to T2 on 20th October 2025:

Loganair moves to Terminal 2 | Manchester Airport

From 20 October 2025, all Loganair flights will depart from Manchester Airport Terminal 2. Check parking, lounge, and assistance bookings in advance.

www.loganair.co.uk

 

[MannyJon]

Anyone know where the Emirates chauffers will wait once moved? Can have around 10-20+ of them each flight waiting in the emirates car park. I can only see them going in the oversize opposite T2

 

[CCGE29]

GF move to T2 brought forward, now planned to move on the 23rd Oct.

CCGE29

 

[DylanM]

It appears that BA made the switch a day early, BA1402 was the last arrival into T3, with BA1404 and BA1406 going to T2, stands 103 and 105.

I’ll be on BA1404 this Saturday so if anyone wants images of the domestic arrivals setup for BA at T2 I can do that

 

[CCGE29]

It appears that BA made the switch a day early, BA1402 was the last arrival into T3, with BA1404 and BA1406 going to T2, stands 103 and 105.

I’ll be on BA1404 this Saturday so if anyone wants images of the domestic arrivals setup for BA at T2 I can do that

BA T2 ops from 7th. This evening passengers were bussed back over to T3.

To note over at T3; stand 18 will finally lose its airbridge (not used in almost 10 years) at the end of this month in preparation for the re-configuration of stands 16/17 making the aforementioned stands capable of ops with aircraft up to and including A321.

CCGE29.

 

[Rudney]

BA T2 ops from 7th. This evening passengers were bussed back over to T3.

To note over at T3; stand 18 will finally lose its airbridge (not used in almost 10 years) at the end of this month in preparation for the re-configuration of stands 16/17 making the aforementioned stands capable of ops with aircraft up to and including A321.

CCGE29.

Does make me wonder whether Wizz will be allocated slots in T3/T1 for S26...if indeed they have submitted that is!

 

[joshl257]

It appears that BA made the switch a day early, BA1402 was the last arrival into T3, with BA1404 and BA1406 going to T2, stands 103 and 105.

I’ll be on BA1404 this Saturday so if anyone wants images of the domestic arrivals setup for BA at T2 I can do that

Yes please that would be appreciated.

 

[marni1971]

I’ll be on BA1404 this Saturday so if anyone wants images of the domestic arrivals setup for BA at T2 I can do that

Yes please