Airport calls for government backing as it nears 30 million passengers total
Manchester Airport has called on the government to make a firm commitment to the North.
The call comes as the government’s consultation on the future of UK aviation comes to a close and amid ongoing political uncertainty.
The UK’s third biggest airport has called for a commitment to the region as it edges closer to an historic high of 30 million passengers.
Last month saw the airport reach 28.9 million annual passengers, with the total set to hit 30 million by the end of the financial year.
May saw the airport welcome 2.6 million passengers through its three terminals.
Later this month the Government’s Aviation 2050 Green Paper consultation closes and bosses of Manchester Airport have called on ministers to recognise the critical role it will play in driving Northern growth and rebalancing the UK’s economy.
Manchester Airport is part-way through the largest investment in its 80 year history – the £1bn transformation of its terminal and airfield infrastructure.
The redevelopment will help it unlock the spare capacity on its existing two runways.
Airport bosses say the government has the opportunity, through its Aviation Strategy process, to set out a clear plan for Manchester to develop into the UK’s second hub airport.
Andrew Cowan
Andrew Cowan, chief executive of Manchester Airport, said: “As we edge closer to the 30 million passenger mark, our role as the UK’s global gateway in the North becomes even clearer.
“Government has rightly recognised Manchester as a ‘national’ airport in its Aviation 2050 Green Paper and it is vital that is used as a platform to develop a proper understanding of our potential to drive economic growth and prosperity across the North.
“The are some key interventions only Government can make, such as large-scale investment in transformative projects like Northern Powerhouse Rail and the reform of aviation taxes to help stimulate new long-haul connections from gateways like Manchester.
“With the right support, coupled with our own £1bn investment, Manchester Airport can be an even greater engine of growth for the North by giving people and businesses access to the world’s most important markets.”
As well as welcoming more than 2.6m passengers last month, May also saw two key routes launch. El Al, the national carrier of Israel, joined easyJet with a service to Tel Aviv and Virgin Atlantic started flights to Los Angeles, a route Thomas Cook Airlines also operates.
The most popular destinations last month were Amsterdam, Palma, Dublin, Tenerife and Alicante. Traffic to the Middle East saw strong growth, with Doha seeing a 45% increase and Muscat 15%. Singapore also saw strong demand in May with growth of 19%.
