Airport News
Manchester Airport introduces body scanners
Mon, 01 Feb, 2010
The first body scanners at British airports are being introduced from noon today (February 1st), with Manchester Airport one of the first to use the new technology.
Passengers travelling through the northern hub may now have to be scanned as they travel through Terminal 2 as part of increased safety measures.
While some travellers will be picked at random for scanning, it will mainly be passengers who set off the metal detectors or if explosive or vapour detection systems raise the alarm.
A scanner has been trialled at the terminal since October 2009 and additional devices are being planned for installation at Terminals 1 and 3 before the end of the month.
This new equipment has been installed on the direction of the government, with Heathrow Airport also set to receive a full body scanner by midday today.
Plans to install the scanners in the London airport were announced back in January in a bid to prevent terror attacks, following a foiled attempt by a bomber on a flight to the US on Christmas Day.
Manchester Airport and Birmingham Airport see launch of new routes
Tue, 20 Oct, 2009
Manchester Airport, Birmingham Airport and others around England are set to benefit from new routes announced by Monarch Airlines.
From this week, flights to Gran Canaria will begin to be operated from Manchester Airport, Birmingham Airport and London Gatwick Airport.
Starting tomorrow (October 21st 2009) the destination of Fuerteventura will be served with flights from London Luton Airport, London Gatwick Airport, Manchester Airport and Birmingham Airport.
Liz Savage, managing director of Monarch flights and holidays, said: "We are delighted to be expanding our network to the Canary Islands with the launch of scheduled flights to Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura.
The flights will operate in addition to our existing routes from the airline going to Tenerife and Lanzarote.
Monarch decided to launch the new services after a passenger number increase of more than 60 per cent on flights to Tenerife this September.
The amount of passengers flying to Lanzarote with the airline also increased by 12 per cent on September 2008 figures.
More than six million passengers fly with the company each year.
Manchester Airport trials 'naked X-ray machine'
Tue, 13 Oct, 2009
Manchester Airport is to trial a new X-ray machine that is able to see through clothes from today.
Officials at Manchester Airport say it will quickly reveal any hidden weapons or explosives and should speed up security checks.
The machine has been introduced at Terminal 2 and passengers will no longer have to take off their shoes, coats and belts as they go through security checks.
Sarah Barrett, head of customer experience at Manchester Airport, addressed concerns that the scans would be intrusive.
"The images are not erotic or pornographic and they cannot be stored or captured in any way," she said.
Ms Barrett added passengers would not be at risk from radiation when passing through the scanner and could safely pass through the machine up to 5,000 times a year without feeling any effect.
Manchester Airport is the third largest in the UK, serving over 200 destinations across the world.
Manchester Airport set for launch of four new Jet2.com routes
Tue, 06 Oct, 2009
Manchester Airport will see Jet2.com become its biggest scheduled airline after the operator announced the launch of four new routes from April 2010.
Passengers will be able to fly to Dubrovnik, Split, Prague and Reus (near Costa Dorado) from Manchester Airport with the airline.
Philip Meeson, Jet2.com boss, said: "Our continued investment will see us increase our fleet at Manchester quite significantly and create hundreds of new jobs both at the airport and within the tourism industry as a whole."
The announcement means Jet2.com will be operating 28 different routes from Manchester Airport next year, making it the biggest low-fare airline based at the airport.
Mr Meeson predicted that almost 150,000 extra passengers will fly with Jet2.com from Manchester Airport next summer, a 20 per cent increase on its 2009 figures.
Last month Manchester Airport, which has recently undergone an £80 million redevelopment, was named as Airport of the Year in the Travel Trade Gazette Awards.
London Gatwick and Manchester Airport to benefit from Flybe sale
Fri, 25 Sep, 2009
London Gatwick and Manchester Airport are two of the airports involved in a Flybe 50 per cent off sale.
The airline has announced it will offer half price seats on selected flights on bookings made between Friday 25th and Wednesday 30th September 2009.
Only journeys taken before December 31st 2009 qualify for the offer, which is aimed at business travellers as well as people wanting a winter holiday.
Mike Rutter, Flybe's chief commercial officer, said: "With the discounted fares only on sale for five days, we advise people to book early to avoid disappointment."
Flybe flies to 13 different countries from 36 different UK airports.
The seat sale includes services to destinations such as Paris, Avignon and Frankfurt with flights leaving from UK airports including Manchester Airport, London Gatwick and Southampton Airport.
Manchester Airport was named airport of the year this week at the Travel Trade Gazette awards following an £80 million redevelopment of its two terminals.
Manchester Airport named best UK airport
Thu, 24 Sep, 2009
Manchester Airport has been awarded the title of airport of the year at the Travel Trade Gazette Awards.
It beat London Luton, Birmingham and Southampton airports to the top prize.
Andrew Cornish, Manchester Airport's managing director, said it was special to receive recognition from travel agents as they are the experts when it comes to the tourism industry.
He accepted the award on behalf of the 19,000 employees of Manchester Airport at the award ceremony held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
"The airport of the year award recognises everyone's commitment to creating an unrivalled experience for our passengers across every aspect of their journey through the airport," he said.
Around £25 million has been spent on improved security at the airport this year as part of an £80 million redevelopment of Manchester's two terminals.
Airports were judged on eight different criteria, including their facilities, customer service standards, and environmental performance.
In two of the other categories, Qatar Airlines was named airline of the year while First Choice was named short-haul operator of the year.
Manchester Airport to Geneva route restored
Tue, 22 Sep, 2009
Manchester Airport will once again serve customers wishing to fly to Switzerland for the ski season.
Swiss International Air Lines will operate the service to Geneva, which is in the north-west of the country.
Geneva is located close to several ski resorts, including Chamonix, Villars and Verbier.
Julie Melet from Switzerland Tourism, said: "There is a long-lasting tradition of Britons visiting Switzerland.
"After all, they are the ones who introduced winter sports in Switzerland in 1864 in St Moritz."
She added that there were a variety of activities available for non-skiers wishing to travel to the country as well, ranging from paragliding to visiting spas and hot springs.
The Swiss tourism industry has suffered a 1.2 million drop in visitors this year and is keen to encourage visitors to return.
Its UK tourist board has organised a two day Swiss Extravaganza in Broadgate Circle, London on September 30th and October 1st.
It will feature an artificial ski slope along with cheese tasting and a Swiss band.
Manchester Airport offering flights to Lourdes
Fri, 04 Sep, 2009
Airline bmibaby has revealed plans to launch a new route from Manchester Airport to Lourdes in France.
The twice-weekly service, which is due to run on Mondays and Fridays from April 30th until October 1st 2010, is the first link between the two destinations.
The budget airline indicated that it expects the route to be popular among tourists next summer with estimates suggesting that 9,000 passengers will use the service during the busiest part of 2010.
"We are pleased we can offer the people of Manchester the chance to travel to an exciting new destination," said bmibaby's managing director Craford Rix.
He also noted that the airline intends to offer routes to 19 different airports around Europe next summer.
In other news, budget carrier Jet2.com revealed last week that it is to launch seven new routes from East Midlands Airport in May 2010, including routes to Lanzarote, Corfu, Crete and Dalaman.
Air Berlin will continue operating from Manchester Airport
Mon, 24 Aug, 2009
German carrier Air Berlin will introduce flights from Manchester Airport to Paderborn this winter.
The airline will launch three weekly flights to the North Rhine-Westphalia city from the north-west airport on November 4th.
Flights will be operated using a Boeing 737-800 and will run on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Services will depart from Manchester at 20:00 GMT before touching down in Paderborn at 22:25 (local time).
Return flights will depart at 18:45 (local time) and arrive in the north-west at 19:15 GMT.
Paderborn could tempt travellers flying from Manchester thanks to its 1,200-year history and is known for both its ancient and modern qualities.
Elsewhere in the UK, air Berlin offers flights from London Stansted Airport to Munster, Hanover, and Dusseldorf, while Paderborn and Nuremberg are also served from the Essex airport.
Manchester Airport announced last week that it was using social networking website Twitter to provide live flight data and prizes.
Manchester Airport sees new Jet2.com routes
Tue, 18 Aug, 2009
Three new summer routes have been launched at Manchester Airport by Jet2.com in time for summer 2010.
Following on from its busiest ever August in terms of bookings, the airline intends to offer flights between the north-west airport and Kos, Venice and Gran Canaria.
This is the first time that Manchester will offer passengers scheduled services to either Venice or Kos, with flights expected to start on March 3rd 2010 and May 26th 2010 respectively.
Jet2.com's new route to Gran Canaria, meanwhile, will begin service on May 1st, 2010.
Andrew Cornish, managing director of Manchester Airport, suggested that the new routes would provide a "boost" to travellers setting off from the north-west of England.
He added: "The additions of these scheduled services to Kos, and Venice mean that we are continuing to offer people in the region and further afield an unprecedented choice when it comes to their holiday destination."
In other news, budget airline Flybe has revealed that it will be offering 466 weekly flights from Gatwick Airport during the peak season next summer.
Manchester Airport fireman to row naked across the Atlantic
Tue, 04 Aug, 2009
Two firefighters from Manchester Airport are attempting to row across the Atlantic Ocean naked.
Dean Jagger, from Merseyside and Neil Gyllenship, from West Yorkshire will set about rowing the 3,000 miles to raise money for Claire House and Childflight charities.
They will row as competitors in the Atlantic Rowing Race 2009 and will not be wearing clothes as they undertake the grueling challenge.
Mr Jagger told the Manchester Evening News: "We'll be rowing naked for the entire time we're out there to try to prevent chaffing, so we've been scrubbing our backsides and hands to try to toughen up our skin.
Manchester Airport has recently re-opened its Terminal One after a £50 million revamp and also announced the commencement of work on Terminal Two.
The airport is described as the only "global gateway" to the north of England and handles more than 29 million passengers a year offering flights to over 200 destinations.
Jet2.com doubles Egypt flights from Manchester Airport
Fri, 31 Jul, 2009
Low-cost carrier Jet2.com has announced that it is to increase the frequency of its flights from Manchester Airport to Sharm El Sheikh from the start of next year.
At present, the airline offers just one flight a week to the popular Egyptian holiday resort, with this to be doubled from the start of 2010 due to rising customer demand.
Flights from Manchester Airport will depart on Thursdays and Sundays, with the twice-weekly service to continue throughout 2010, allowing passengers year-round access to some of the Mediterranean's top diving spots and beaches.
Announcing the news, Philip Meeson, chief executive of Jet2.com, said: "When we announced the first low cost service to Sharm El Sheikh from Manchester in 2008, we were confident of its popularity but never envisaged such overwhelming demand.
"As a result, we have increased frequency for the 2010 season, giving the people of Manchester and surrounding areas guaranteed sunshine next year."
News of the expanded service comes as Manchester Airport gears up for its busiest weekend of the year, with as many as 350,000 passengers expected to pass through its terminals over the next couple of days.
Manchester Airport to Tel Aviv flights set to increase
Tue, 28 Jul, 2009
Jet2.com has announced that it will continue to fly routes from Manchester Airport to Tel Aviv throughout 2010.
Furthermore, due to the popularity of the service, the regularity of flights will increase between March 22nd and October 28th 2010 to twice weekly.
The budget airline has been flying to Tel Aviv from Manchester Airport since May 2009.
Jet2.com boss Philip Meeson noted that demand for the route has come in part from the Jewish community in the north of England, and that Manchester has become a "gateway" to "one of Isreal's largest cities".
He said: "We listened to our customers and have increased the frequency of the route for 2010 - we are in an unrivalled position to offer both the lowest ever fares and fastest service into Israel.
"Tel Aviv is an extremely popular destination and we are confident there will be a huge demand for this service."
Earlier this month Manchester Airport announced the re-opening of its flagship terminal one after a £50 million modernisation.
Manchester Airport launches new look terminal
Mon, 06 Jul, 2009
Manchester Airport has re-launched its Terminal one after a lengthy renovation.
After two-years of work and an extensive re-design Manchester Airport has re-opened the terminal with a host of fresh features.
The project, which cost in the region of £50 million, is part of a larger project to improve passenger flow through the airport as well as introducing a large range of shops and refreshment areas.
Dixons, Kurt Geiger, Fat Face, Mango, Monsoon, Starbucks and SoHo are just some of the retailers that have opened outlets in the new areas, with a total of 52 units being available.
During the design process, psychologists were hired to analyse the body language of travellers passing through the terminal.
Managing director of the airport, Andrew Cornish, said: "Our terminal redesigns have to withstand the test of time.
"With the work finished in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 set to follow shortly after, the future looks bright."
More than 100 airlines fly from Manchester Airport and service more than 200 global destinations.
New Portugal route for Manchester Airport
Fri, 29 May, 2009
Manchester Airport passengers will have a new option for a holiday to Portugal next year, it has been announced.
Budget carrier bmibaby has launched its new flight schedule for Easter 2010, which includes a route to the city of Faro.
Dates are available from between March 28th and April 18th and the trips will take place three-times per week – on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
The company has also released tickets for a number of its other destinations, including Alicante, Amsterdam, Palma, Prague, Toulouse and Lisbon.
People wanting to vacation closer to home may be interested in its services to Jersey and Newquay.
Announcing the move, managing director of the organisation Crawford Rix commented it allows customers to "plan ahead" to get the cheapest offers.
"We are also delighted to launch a new route from Manchester Airport to Faro. This is a very popular summer destination which we currently fly to from East Midlands, Birmingham and Cardiff Airport," he said.
Those who choose to begin their breaks in the comfort of their own vehicle are advised the Manchester hub can be found at Junction 5 of the M60.
Football fans give Manchester Airport its "busiest day of the year"
Tue, 26 May, 2009
Football fans are set to make today (May 26th) Manchester Airport's "busiest" of the year.
Officials at the hub are expecting more than 20,000 additional passengers, due to tomorrow's (May 27th) UEFA Champions League Final in Rome.
Manchester United are playing FC Barcelona in the game, which is one of the biggest on the annual soccer calendar.
A total of 44 additional flights are being laid on over the two-day period.
Bosses are also reminding customers to be aware of security procedures – restrictions mean they are only allowed to take 100 mls or less of gels, pastes and liquids on board.
Managing director of the airport Andrew Cornish said staff are "working hard" to make sure the period goes smoothly.
"We will be working closely with the airlines over the next days to meet the demand for flights and are committed to making the fans' journey as simple and enjoyable as possible," he added.
Those choosing to drive to the facility are advised there are a number of airport parking options available - including long and short-stay and valet.
Manchester Airport's check-in "incredibly efficient"
Mon, 18 May, 2009
Manchester Airport's check-in and security procedures are "incredibly efficient", it has been asserted.
Passengers who choose this facility for their travel get a faster service than at London Heathrow, according to a representative of Co-operative Travel.
Managing director of the firm Mike Greenacre commented investment is needed in many hubs, which should come from the government and airport operators such as BAA.
"There is definitely an argument that air passengers have been treated as a captive market and therefore the focus has been on how to extract money from them rather than investing in an enjoyable airport experience," he said.
His comments follow a recent Which? report that found 31 per cent of people are satisfied with Heathrow's Terminal 1– putting it at the bottom of the watchdog's satisfaction league.
A total of 19 per cent remarked they felt intimidated by security staff at the hub's Terminal 2.
In contrast, 80 per cent of respondents are happy with Blackpool Airport's facilities.
Regardless of efficiency at the hub you are heading for, using airport parking could be one way of making sure the start of your trip is as easy as possible.
Manchester Airport gains new Emirates lounge
Sat, 18 Apr, 2009
Manchester Airport will gain a new lounge this summer courtesy of Emirates.
The airline will begin building the 8,500 sq ft business class space soon and has suggested it may increase its capacity of flights to Dubai from the hub as a result.
As part of the move, the operator will move its flights into over from Terminal Two into its One counterpart from June 1st.
Senior vice-president at the firm Salem Obaidalla commented that its Manchester services had been one of their most successful arms in the UK, even during the current recession.
The company's flagship plane, the A380, will now be able to fly customers to their destinations as a result of the expansion of services.
People parking at the airport can reach it from the M56 motorway in the southern area of the city and then follow the signs to the terminal where their flight is taking off from.
Manchester Airport's Aviation Viewing Park gains new shuttle service
Thu, 16 Apr, 2009
Visitors to Manchester Airport's Aviation Viewing Park will now be able to take advantage of a new shuttle service.
BusyBus' vehicles will run three times an hour from 07:30 to 18:00 BST every day from the aviation hub's transport centre – which includes airport parking and a train station.
Tickets for the services cost between £1 and £1.50 depending on the age of the passenger, with a discount for airport staff.
The airport's ground transport manager Bob Longworth has commented that the new service could mean even more people could visit the "popular attractions".
"We're really proud of the new centre, with it only being opened in February of this year [and] I want to ensure that as many people as possible have access to see the history of aviation at Manchester Airport," he said.
British Airway's former flagship aircraft G-BOAC, nicknamed Alpha Charlie, is the only Concorde on display worldwide and has a fully accessible flight deck which visitors can inspect.
People using satnavs to drive to Manchester Airport may be interested in the post codes for Terminals 1, 2 and 3, which are M90 3PY, M90 4ZY and M90 3NZ respectively.
Manchester Airport facing Easter troubles with strike threats
Thu, 12 Mar, 2009
Threats of a strike at Manchester Airport could cause disruption for travellers planning to go away for Easter.
Swissport staff are to vote tomorrow on whether to take strike action.
They say that restructures have caused issues such as pay reductions and job losses.
Lawrence Chapple-Gill of air travel union Unite stated: "We urge Swissport to sit down with us and discuss these restructuring plans properly, rather than simply impose them."
The union says that the firm has not engaged in proper dialogue concerning the reorganisation.
Crain's Manchester Business reported claims by Swissport that the reorganisation was necessary due to the recession and that it was "keen" to interact with its employees on the matter.
A number of airport parking options are available at Manchester.
Travellers can pre-book online and can go for a short or a long-stay car park.
In addition, there is a shuttle service and a valet parking facility.
Politician doubts north-east's capacity for two major airports
Tue, 10 Mar, 2009
The capacity for the north-east region to support two major airports has been questioned by a politician.
Lord Michael Bates, deputy chair of the Conservatives, expressed his doubts to Northern Decisionmakers, the online television programme of the Northern Echo.
Acknowledging rivalry between certain areas, he pointed to the existence of Manchester and Leeds Bradford Airports and said: "I just wonder whether we are large enough as a region to sustain two world-class airports."
Lord Bates also pointed out that the north-east is the smallest region in the country and drew attention to how close by other airports in Newcastle and Durham Tees Valley are.
Meanwhile, PropertyWeek.com reports the launch of a property programme by Manchester Airport.
The initiative, named Manchester City, centres on a business park and the airport's MAG Developments is buying a 30 acre site to combine with the Manchester Business Park, which is owned by the council.
New food outlet for Glasgow Airport
Wed, 04 Mar, 2009
Glasgow Airport will be the site of the city's first outlet for the EAT food franchise.
Co-owner of EAT Faith MacArthur said she was "excited" to see how Glaswegians would respond to the shop, which will open at the end of the month.
It will offer a range of products, including sushi, soup, porridge and Scottish breakfast muffins.
The outlet will be set up in the main terminal and have capacity for approximately 70 people.
Meanwhile, airports have been accused of cashing in on security procedures by charging for clear plastic bags for passengers to carry liquids, reports the Telegraph.
Manchester, Luton, Bristol and Newcastle Airports all charge £1 for the bags.
At Manchester, it is thought that the bags, dispensed by vending machines, can bring in £3,500 every week.
Several passengers criticised the move, which they said was making money from security issues.
Manchester traveller Wendy Barrowcliffe told the paper it was "scandalous" to have to pay.
New link for Manchester Airport
Thu, 26 Feb, 2009
A new train link to Manchester Airport is to start later this year.
The early morning train service will connect Salford Crescent to the airport.
Run by the First TransPennine Express, the service will go from Salford Crescent at 5.55 am to reach the airport by 6.18 am on every day but Sunday.
The service will commence on May 18th as an addition to the existing Blackpool to Manchester Airport journey.
Councillor Ian Macdonald, who chairs the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority's Transport Network Committee, said the earlier service could help commuters and shift workers as well as people going on holiday.
Currently the earliest rail connection from Salford Crescent is at 6.47 am.
David Langton, timetable strategy manager for First TransPennine Express, said that the company was "happy to make small changes to our timetables to give big improvements wherever this is possible".
Airport parking at Manchester includes facilities for long and short-stay as well as the possibility to book in advance using the internet.
Valet parking is also available.
Tadpoles and geckos confiscated at airport
Thu, 19 Feb, 2009
Three albino tadpoles and three crested geckos have been seized by customs officials at Manchester Airport.
The Lancashire Evening Post reported how the carrier of the creatures did not have the correct paperwork for them, leading to their confiscation.
Such bullfrogs are not permitted into EU countries under wildlife protection laws and the geckos were taken under rules intended to regulate trade in them for their protection.
UKBA border force assistant director at the airport, Linda Paul, explained that the frogs can be a "serious pest" if they go into the wild.
Airport parking at Manchester carries a number of facilities.
Passengers can book online in advance and search availability, as well as simply turning up on the day.
Options for pre-bookable airport parking include valet parking, in which the vehicle is put into place for the driver's convenience.
There is also a shuttle service, short and long-stay options, both of which can be booked in advance via the internet.
Carbon Trust honours Manchester Airport
Mon, 16 Feb, 2009
The Carbon Trust has presented a title to Manchester Airport after it successfully reduced its carbon emissions by six per cent.
Manchester Airport is now one of just 66 institutions, and the only airport, to have the Carbon Trust Standard, Crain's Manchester Business reports.
The airport, which intends to be carbon neutral by 2015, said that the six per cent decrease had been achieved from 2007 to 2008 when compared to the average of the previous two years.
Andrew Cornish, managing director of the airport, told the publication: "The money saved from energy efficiency measures feeds back into the business and reduces our operating costs, which is very important in a highly competitive industry like ours, where we are under increasing pressure to lower charges to our customers."
The airport made the reduction through such methods as turning off lights when they were not needed.
Planes' emissions are not considered once the aircraft is in flight.
Airport parking at Manchester Airport includes long and short-stay options as well as parking for disabled people and for motorcycles.
Courtesy buses are in operation.
Airport of the Year won by Manchester
Thu, 13 Nov, 2008
Manchester Airport has won a prestigious award at a ceremony in London.
The northern hub was crowned as Airport of the Year at the British Travel Awards, as well as winning two silver awards for Best UK Airport for Business Travel and Best UK Airport for Leisure Travel.
Winners were voted for by both industry professionals and consumers and were judged on a range of criteria, including facilities and customer service.
Andrew Cornish, Manchester Airport's managing director, said he was pleased and proud with the accolade.
"We pride ourselves on giving the passengers the very best possible experience and it is great to see that the industry recognises that hard work and commitment," he commented.
Manchester Airport, which sees over 22 million passengers a year, is currently undergoing a refurbishment - the redevelopment of Terminal 1 is expected to cost some £35 million and should be finished by summer 2009.
Manchester Airport unveils new surfacing
Thu, 11 Sep, 2008
Manchester Airport has had a new floor installed in its Terminal 1 security area, it has been reported.
According to Redorbit.com, the bespoke floor is designed to withstand the large numbers of passengers - approximately 15,000 - that pass through the terminal building every day, as well as looking more aesthetically pleasing.
Tony Fleming, of Manchester Airport's architect Aedas, said: "We are pleased with the end result and it fits perfectly with Manchester Airport's vision of a clean, simple and inviting environment for Terminal 1."
Manchester Airport was voted European airport of the year in 2001 and is served by around 95 airlines flying more than 19.5 million passengers to over 180 destinations each year, reports the Manchester Airport Guide.
Terminal 1 offers a number of facilities for travellers, including a Bureau de Change, cash dispensers, internet points and a number of restaurants and bars.
Airlines operating out of Terminal 1 include Air Canada, bmi, Iberia, Lufthansa, Olympic and SAS.
New parking security at Manchester Airport
Fri, 29 Aug, 2008
Manchester Airport has had new cameras installed in its car parks in a bid to increase security for people leaving their cars at the hub.
Five of the devices, which will read over half a million number plates each day, will be installed around the airport.
Manchester Airport commander Superintendent Peter Turner said the cameras will make the environment safer for all those passing through.
"These new fixed camera sites will provide police officers with an additional source of information during the vital early stages of major investigations and will also assist in our continued fight against terrorism," he remarked.
Police will also be able to check for uninsured and stolen vehicles, Superintendent Turner added.
Manchester Airport is one of the UK's biggest regional hubs, dealing with over 22.7 million passengers per year flying to 225 destinations.
Officials predict that this will rise to 50 million over the next 20 years, with the airport growing to compete with London Heathrow and Stansted Airport.
Facial recognition system launched at Manchester
Tue, 19 Aug, 2008
Passengers travelling through Manchester Airport are the first in Britain to take part in a facial recognition trial.
The new technology automatically scans the faces of passengers and matches them up with biometric records held by the authorities.
It affects all adult biometric passport holders from the UK and Europe.
Home secretary Jacqui Smith said the new security gates will improve the speed at which air passengers pass through border control.
She also believes that the equipment will help identify - or deter - terrorists and other criminals entering the country. Passengers flagged up will be placed on no-fly lists.
"The UK has one of the toughest borders in the world and we are determined to ensure it stays that way," she said at the launch.
In related news, three hotels could soon be built near Manchester Airport's terminal 2, according to a report in the Manchester Evening News.
Football tourism boost for Manchester Airport
Mon, 18 Aug, 2008
A study of fans travelling through Manchester Airport has highlighted the financial boost to the regional economy generated by the Uefa Cup Final in Manchester on May 14th.
Fans flew to Manchester from as many as 11 countries on four continents. In fact, 99 per cent of Russian Zenit St Petersburg fans flew into the city, with extra flights laid on to meet the demand.
Over half of St Petersburg fans said they chose to fly to Manchester due to the speed, while nine per cent said air travel was their only option.
Andrew Cornish, managing director of Manchester Airport, said that as the country enters an economic downturn, May's football tourism was a "timely boost"
"This study also demonstrates the extent to which international football relies upon aviation giving the public the chance to follow their teams across the world," he stated.
The study also found that around 25,000 Manchester United FC fans flew out to Moscow to see their team battle it out with Chelsea in the Uefa Champions League Final in May.
Budget airline easyJet recently announced that it will fly from Manchester to Sofia this winter.
The thrice-weekly service to the Bulgarian capital will take off for the first time on December 11th, with one-way tickets available from £33.99.
New routes from Manchester announced
Thu, 10 Jul, 2008
Budget airline easyJet has announced that it is to begin flying to Sofia and Geneva from Manchester Airport this coming winter.
The three times a week service to the Bulgarian capital will take off for the first time on December 11th, with one-way tickets available from £33.99.
Flights to Geneva commence the following day and seats on any of the nine weekly flights will start from £29.99.
Manchester Airport's director of aviation development Tim McDermott said he was pleased easyJet had decided to increase its number of destinations from Ringway to seven.
He added: "Sofia and Geneva are important business and leisure destinations and we are sure they will prove to be incredibly popular with our passengers."
The low-cost airline recently announced it had seen a surge in passenger numbers during June.
More than four million holidaymakers travelled with easyJet last month, compared with 3.4 million in June 2007.
Virgin launches check-in incentive
Tue, 01 Jul, 2008
Passengers flying from three of the UK's biggest airports are being encouraged to check in online.
Virgin Atlantic has launched a promotion at London Heathrow Airport, Manchester Airport and London Gatwick Airport.
Passengers who check in online for their flights between today (July 1st) and August 31st will be offered £10 reductions on selected fragrances from Virgin's inflight retail offerings.
Paul Dickinson, Virgin Atlantic's marketing director, remarked that the incentive is part of an effort to increase the number of people checking in online, which he says is much quicker.
"Online check-in is currently used by nearly a quarter of our passengers - we predict that this number will continue to increase over the coming months," he added.
Virgin operates dozens of long haul services from London and Manchester to destinations that include New York, LA, San Francisco, Cape Town, Cuba, Barbados and St Lucia.
Manchester Airport bags top award
Wed, 25 Jun, 2008
It's official at last - Manchester Airport has been named the best European airport by Airports Council International Europe.
The airport came out top in the ten-to-25 million passenger category at the Annual ACI Europe Best Airport Awards held in Paris this week.
The judges singled out Manchester for "its simple, innovative approach to attracting airlines".
Its consideration of the environment also helped to settle the judges' minds - it recently announced that it will make the airport carbon neutral by 2015.
Manchester Airport's managing director Andrew Cornish expressed his delight at receiving the award.
He said: "These are challenging times in the aviation industry and we know that there are some excellent airports in Europe, so to win this prestigious award is particularly great news."
The airport, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this month, today handles more than 22 million passengers a year.
'Innovative airport' hits 70
Thu, 12 Jun, 2008
Innovation and improvement are the key reasons for the continuing success of Manchester Airport, according to its managing director Andrew Cornish.
The Ringway site is set to celebrate its 70th birthday on June 25th and has come a long way from the 1930s, when it offered flights to just 12 destinations - 11 of them in the UK.
Flights now operate to 220 destinations, transporting 22 million passengers a year to locations around the world.
Airport staff are proud of the operation's history, according to Mr Cornish, but are also focused on the future.
"We are constantly innovating and improving Manchester Airport to make sure that we give our passengers what they want," he stated.
Planned innovations include the redevelopment of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 and the construction of the new Concorde viewing centre.
Among the recent changes at Manchester was the introduction of a valet parking service at Terminal 3.
XL Airways increases capacity at Manchester
Fri, 30 May, 2008
XL Airways is now offering flights from Manchester Airport using the new Boeing 737-900 aircraft.
The new service started yesterday and is a further sign that the Manchester hub is continuing to grow in popularity with holidaymakers.
Thanks to the new 737-900, XL Airways is able to increase the number of seats available on flights by 26 per flight.
Airline chief executive Peter Owen told Holiday Extras: "XL Airways is proud to be the first UK airline to invest in this new generation of aircraft.
"XL Airways has been flying out of Manchester for seven years now and, because of its continued growth in popularity, we felt it was the natural home for our new planes."
The new aeroplane will be used on flights to Egypt, Spain and the Canary Island, among other destinations.
Earlier this month, Ryanair announced plans to launch a new route to Frankfurt from Manchester.
Commencing on October 26th, the new service will operate on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Bmibaby to double Manchester operations
Wed, 21 May, 2008
Budget airline bmibaby will double the size of its operations at Manchester Airport, it has announced.
In a move that could create over a hundred jobs in the city, bmibaby will increase its services to Europe, with possible new destinations including Warsaw and Krakow.
According to a recent report in Crain's Manchester Business magazine, the carrier is considering adding five new planes to Manchester.
Crawford Rix, managing director of bmibaby, said that Manchester has plenty of capacity for expansion.
He reaffirmed the carrier's commitment to the airport and expressed his confidence in the low-cost aviation market.
The airline currently has four Boeing 737s in Manchester that serve 15 different routes to Europe.
Last month, bmibaby was offering special fares from as little as £10 to a number of domestic and international destinations.
Check-in changes at Manchester Airport
Tue, 20 May, 2008
From Wednesday May 28th a number of airlines at Manchester Airport will be located in the Terminal 1 ground level check-in.
These include Ryanair, Air Berlin, Jet2.com, Olympic Airlines, Lufthansa and Swiss International Airlines, among others.
Travellers using long-stay car parks can take advantage of transfer buses that run every 15 minutes throughout the day and night.
The first stop for the long-stay car park bus is outside Terminal 3. It then continues on to Terminal 1, stopping outside the entrance to the ground level check-in.
Motorists using the Terminal 1 multi-storey short-stay car park can take the lift to level 0 and follow the directions to the ground level check-in.
Last week it was announced that Ryanair is planning to launch a new route to Frankfurt from Manchester.
Starting on October 26th, the new service will operate on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Ryanair to offer Manchester-Frankfurt flights
Wed, 14 May, 2008
Low budget airline Ryanair is launching a new route to Frankfurt from Manchester Airport.
Starting on October 26th, the new route will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
It means Ryanair will serve seven destinations from Manchester, including Shannon, Marseille and Bremen.
Ryanair spokesperson Bridget Dowling said: "This new route to Frankfurt ... will allow an additional 60,000 passengers per annum to enjoy Ryanair's guaranteed lowest fares from Manchester.
"To celebrate this new route, Ryanair is giving away seats to Frankfurt Hahn for just £10 including taxes and charges."
She went on to advise passengers to log onto the airline's website as soon as possible because the offer ends at midnight on Thursday May 15th.
Manchester Airport now has valet car parking for terminals 1 and 3. For hassle-free parking, the airport encourages passengers to book online and save up to 50 per cent.
Monarch announces Gibraltar service
Tue, 22 Apr, 2008
Budget airline Monarch has announced plans to begin flying between Manchester Airport and Gibraltar later this year.
The three times a week service will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from September 12th, with seats available from £48 one way, including taxes and charges.
Monarch cancelled its service on the same route in July 2006 and Liz Savage, the airline's managing director of scheduled services, explained that the popularity of Gibraltar with holidaymakers had prompted a rethink.
"There continues to be huge demand for flights from our customers and this has been reflected by the number of requests that we have received from them over the past few years," Ms Savage said.
The news comes after low-cost airline bmibaby unveiled plans to expand its operations from Manchester Airport by beginning to fly to the capitals of Portugal and Spain - Lisbon and Madrid - in June.
It will then add Barcelona to its range of services from the north-west in September.
Punctuality title claimed by bmi
Fri, 28 Mar, 2008
The most punctual airline operating scheduled services to and from the UK's airports during 2007 was bmi regional, according to a new report.
Statistics compiled by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and published by Flightontime.info showed that bmi regional's services suffered from an average delay of just 5.89 minutes last year.
In addition to the taking the overall title, bmi regional was also named as the most punctual airline flying from Manchester Airport, Glasgow Airport and Edinburgh Airport.
The overall runners-up spot was filled by Eastern Airways, which had an average delay of 6.39 minutes and was found to be the most regularly on-time carrier operating from Newcastle Airport and Birmingham Airport.
Eastern's chief operating officer Chris Holliday said the findings were a reflection of the efforts the airline's staff made to ensure flights departed on time.
"We strive to provide the best service possible by setting ourselves tough punctuality targets and will always aim to continue improving our on-time performance," added Mr Holliday.
The CAA's figures placed Ryanair tenth and easyJet 20th in the punctuality rankings.
Airline welcomes rail problems
Fri, 04 Jan, 2008
Problems on the rail network have proved to be a real boost for one airline operating flights between Manchester Airport and London City Airport.
Engineering work on the west coast mainline scheduled for completion before the end of the holiday period has overrun and is now unlikely to be finished before January 4th 2008.
The ongoing work means Virgin Trains is only able to operate a restricted service and it has advised the 60,000 passengers it normally transports between Manchester and London on a daily basis to seek other ways of making the journey.
One firm to benefit from the disruption is VLM Airlines, which has noticed an upturn in passenger numbers in recent days.
The airline's managing director Johan Vanneste said: "We are pleased that we have attracted new customers who have been able to experience our fast and convenient service."
VLM claims travelling to London City Airport gives passengers an easier journey into the heart of the capital than from Heathrow, as the Docklands Light Railway takes just 25 minutes to reach the city centre.
Budget airline reveals Manchester plan
Tue, 18 Dec, 2007
Low-cost carrier easyJet has announced it hopes to commence flying from Manchester Airport in March 2008.
The decision comes after easyJet agreed to buy GB Airways, which currently runs a British Airways franchise from Manchester.
GB Airways will continue to operate its current routes until March 29th, by which time easyJet hopes to have gained regulatory approval for the deal.
Once it has that green light, easyJet intends to rebrand GB Airways and integrate it into the company, before increasing the number of planes it has stationed at the airport from two to five.
Mike Campbell, easyJet's people director, claimed the development would be good news for air passengers in the region.
He said: "easyJet recognises the strong demand for low-cost convenient services from the north-west, the GB operation at Manchester provides us with a great base on which we can build and tap in to a new market."
Meanwhile, rival budget airline Ryanair has announced plans to expand its operations from Manchester Airport by launching services to Barcelona, Bremen, Marseille and Milan in April.
London-Reykjavik flights 'boosted' by Icelandair
Tue, 11 Dec, 2007
Flights between London and Reykjavik, Iceland, are likely to increase after Icelandair announced a hike in its north Atlantic operations in 2008.
Airport parking at London Gatwick Airport may be required as consumers have the opportunity to board two new flights to Iceland each day.
Flights will also continue between Iceland and both Manchester Airport and Glasgow Airport, the airliner announced.
The move forms part of Icelandair's broader flight restructuring that will see new flights to Toronto, Canada, in May whereas services to Baltimore in the US will be terminated in January.
Flights to Europe are based on a 24-hour network where flights leave Iceland in the morning before returning in the afternoon, noted Jon Karl Olafsson, chief executive officer of the airliner.
"We are constantly reviewing and fine-tuning our schedule in order to offer the best possible service for our clients in Iceland and our other destinations," he added.
Icelandair recently received the Transportation Award from the Icelandic government in recognition of its contribution to building up the country's aviation and travel industry.
Manchester Airport to Stansted 'to be improved'
Thu, 20 Sep, 2007
Commuters from Manchester to London will be pleased to note that they could benefit from extra flights between the two cities when Eastern Airways takes over from Air Berlin as the airline servicing Manchester Airport and London Stansted.
Manchester Airport’s head of air service development Aidan Mooney commented on the importance of the network.
"Connecting the north-west to the rest of Britain and the world is why Manchester Airport is so important to the region’s development and this route is an important element in our network," he remarked.
Eastern Airways’ chief operating officer Chris Holliday added that service will give greater flexibility to both business and leisure passengers when it is launched in December.
Business passengers may want to add to the convenience of the service by booking their airport parking in advance over the internet.
BAA, the operator of London Stansted, announced recently that August had been the company's busiest month in the year so far.