Manchester Airport Transformation Programme

[joshl257]

When I used to fly BMI to Chicago and Washington from Pier C there was a flight transfer bus gate just before the passport control in the segregated arrivals. So the glass wall's might stay so they can use it for arrivals. But as many have stated Pier C will be needed for Easter and Summer 26 as overflow. I would be interested to know the cost of Pier 1 as that would be a good benchmark as to what Pier 3 would cost when MAG finally gets round to it.

 

[marni1971]

When I used to fly BMI to Chicago and Washington from Pier C there was a flight transfer bus gate just before the passport control in the segregated arrivals. So the glass wall's might stay so they can use it for arrivals. But as many have stated Pier C will be needed for Easter and Summer 26 as overflow. I would be interested to know the cost of Pier 1 as that would be a good benchmark as to what Pier 3 would cost when MAG finally gets round to it.

Educated guess for pier 2 is 100-150m. They blew through the orignal budget and contingency including pier one so assume that went to 1.1- 1.2b and now we have the much touted 1.3b including pier 2.

 

[MKY661]

Gate 20 is the entrance. (The bussing lounge below the old gate 21).

Buses will run at 5 minute intervals from T2. Pax will go through boarding pass gates so they can only access the pier once the flight has been ‘gated’ to prevent any pax inadvertently ending up at the ‘Satellite pier’ that aren’t travelling from it.

CCGE29

Sounds good.

Since I like to be at the Gate early, are there plans to announce these Gates (or the Pier at least) earlier than planned? I know when at T1 EasyJet would announce their gates only about 55 mins before departure and speedy boarding would board pretty much instantly once it was announced.

 

[Trumpington]

Amazing! Check this out from Airliners World- complete virtual tour of airfield:

 

[Sean Fish]

It’s definitely going to be used as an overflow for T2 come next summer. Shuttle buses running from the B gates lounge in T2 to Pier C.
The refresh is needed and will include a WHSmiths at the current gate 21 area (this gate is already unused).

So it's likely that the internal of Pier C won't be needed until 6 months or so later? Hopefully that leaves enough time for the airport to polish things up inside the pier.

By the way, now that all airline moves are completed, what would be the next things to expect regarding the terminals? The opening of Greggs and Wetherspoons in T2 would certainly be the next big one, and then... probably some plans for the proper solution to T3 departure?

 

[marni1971]

what would be the next things to expect regarding the terminals?

The completion of the legacy T2 refurb

 

[LS@MAN]

So it's likely that the internal of Pier C won't be needed until 6 months or so later? Hopefully that leaves enough time for the airport to polish things up inside the pier.

By the way, now that all airline moves are completed, what would be the next things to expect regarding the terminals? The opening of Greggs and Wetherspoons in T2 would certainly be the next big one, and then... probably some plans for the proper solution to T3 departure?

Yes, it’s looking like from the summer schedule period (and probably only this period) when Pier C is likely to be used. Movements at this time of year are lower, therefore until Easter time, I would say T2 can cope without the need for Pier C.

T2 legacy refurbishment is still not finished, there is still a big area to open yet, including the new domestic arrivals route, including the baggage hall and domestic arrivals hall.
There is a Greggs opening on 10th December, which I think is located in the legacy T2 arrivals.
Wetherspoons will open in time for peak summer 2026 (work starts in January).

T3 is going through renovations right now, the new bar upstairs opens in March, the rest during next year at different stages. But it will be an expansion in the departure areas thankfully which is much needed.
Nothing has been said about the arrivals areas tho which also need expansion, for the summer especially!

 

[Haz]

Do we have any info on the future of T3 check in & security yet? The current T1 arrangement is apparently temporary.

 

[marni1971]

Do we have any info on the future of T3 check in & security yet? The current T1 arrangement is apparently temporary.

It’s been posted about a possible feasibility study being done on converting the ground floor of the legacy side of the T3 MSCP.

 

[LS@MAN]

Do we have any info on the future of T3 check in & security yet? The current T1 arrangement is apparently temporary.

The term “temporary” has to be used loosely, as it’s been said previously on this forum that the old T1 and security won’t close until 2029. I imagine this will be when the new T3 check in and security will be ready.
In the meantime the priority is renovations of the departure areas.

 

[joshl257]

My take on T 3 redesign,
Demolish the old brown T1 domestic building then build an extension similar to what has been done with T2X. With check in and security being housed in this new space. With floors that can handle the new CT scanners. The idea would be to copy the interior design of the new T2 check-in hall but on a smaller space. The existing T3 would then be used for the departure lounge with potential to add a mezzanine in the old check in hall to create more space for food and beverage. T3 arrivals would be re worked with aa expanded passport control and baggage hall. Just a concept, not the finished article.

 

[Trumpington]

My take on T 3 redesign,
Demolish the old brown T1 domestic building then build an extension similar to what has been done with T2X. With check in and security being housed in this new space. With floors that can handle the new CT scanners. The idea would be to copy the interior design of the new T2 check-in hall but on a smaller space. The existing T3 would then be used for the departure lounge with potential to add a mezzanine in the old check in hall to create more space for food and beverage. T3 arrivals would be re worked with aa expanded passport control and baggage hall. Just a concept, not the finished article.

Nice idea, judging how long T2 transformation project taking. I suspect T3 redevelopment will take circa 10 years + to fully envisage, depending on ' the masterplan' if any!

 

[joshl257]

Nice idea, judging how long T2 transformation project taking. I suspect T3 redevelopment will take circa 10 years + to fully envisage, depending on ' the masterplan' if any!

Thank you and yes you’re right it will probably take MAG 10 Yeats to get T3 right. But here is the inside of the existing T3 check in space redesigned to be part of the departure lounge. I took inspiration form JFK T5 and Orlando airport terminal C lots of natural light.

 

[marni1971]

My take on T 3 redesign,
Demolish the old brown T1 domestic building then build an extension similar to what has been done with T2X.

Only issue here is it’s too shallow. They’d either need to build out onto the apron (doubtful) or towards the MSCP/Olympic House (also doubtful)

I think we’re more likely to see more stop gap measures. But they’ll need something since I doubt Ryanair will be by themselves for long.

 

[Trumpington]

Only issue here is it’s too shallow. They’d either need to build out onto the apron (doubtful) or towards the MSCP/Olympic House (also doubtful)

I think we’re more likely to see more stop gap measures. But they’ll need something since I doubt Ryanair will be by themselves for long.

Who you thinking might join them? Easyjet!?

 

[LS@MAN]

Who you thinking might join them? Easyjet!?

EasyJet have just moved to T2, there are no plans for them to move again now.

Think of a little pink and splash of purple from Eastern Europe…

 

[Trumpington]

EasyJet have just moved to T2, there are no plans for them to move again now.

Think of a little pink and splash of purple from Eastern Europe…

Got you!

 

[joshl257]

Yes the idea would be to use the dead space where the current T3 fourcort is in front of the multi-storey as I noticed when I flew BA there is only one usable lane in use dueto the heightened security with the concrete blocks. It wound not go as far as the Olympic house and the advantage of building an extension on the front is you have new steel work and reinforced concrete to accommodate the heavier security scanners. As some have noted other ULCC may be the re allocated to terminal 3 once the project is complete.

 

[marni1971]

Yes the idea would be to use the dead space where the current T3 fourcort is in front of the multi-storey as I noticed when I flew BA there is only one usable lane in use dueto the heightened security with the concrete blocks. It wound not go as far as the Olympic house and the advantage of building an extension on the front is you have new steel work and reinforced concrete to accommodate the heavier security scanners. As some have noted other ULCC may be the re allocated to terminal 3 once the project is complete.

The dead space is a sterile zone. Build on that, you need another.

 

[Sean Fish]

The dead space is a sterile zone. Build on that, you need another.

Can I have more on what the ‘sterile zone’ means? Is it that there need to be a certain distance between the bollards/concrete blocks that block the vehicles and the terminal building?
I always find it strange that a lot of UK airports has the drop-off lane closest to the terminal disused. I wonder if the “sterile zone” is the reason, and when and where this was implemented.
Annoyingly almost no airport took the effort to convert the disused drop-off lane to actual pavement or outdoor space, so we’re just left with the boring tarmac and inconvenient steps.