Airport awards key contract for £1bn transformation

DUTCH design and consultancy Arcadis firm, has landed a significant contract on Manchester Airport’s 10-year £1bn transformation project.

Arcadis has been appointed by Manchester Airports Group as its sole managed service provider for the project, which will see Terminal 2 made the main and sole airport terminal.

This role gives the consultancy responsibility for the program management of the entire transformation, encompassing program and project controls, commercial, risk, value management and design guardianship as well as supporting MAG as the airport seeks to realize its significant capacity for growth.

Comprising a series of 60 enhancements, the airport’s Transformation Program will increase passenger capacity from 20 million to 30 million passengers by 2025 through the expansion and reconfiguration of Terminal 2 to become the airport’s primary terminal building, along with further improvements of Terminal 3 to cater for increased demand and an expanding flight schedule.

Arcadis, which did not put a financial value on the contract, said its program and project services team have been a framework supplier of project and commercial Services to MAG since March 2015.

The firm has experience on a number of international aviation projects, ranging from Sao Paulo, Lima, Abu Dhabi, Dublin, Changi, Hong Kong and Marseilles.

Arcadis UK chief executive Alan Brookes said: “With Manchester expected to play a significant role as one of the economic ‘powerhouses’ in the North of England, investment in infrastructure and transportation are key for the city and vital in terms of helping to accelerate growth potential.

“With major long-term projects of this nature, being able to offer certainty of outcome is integral for everyone involved and, as Arcadis, the fact that we can operate across the entire project lifecycle played a major part in our being awarded the contract.”

Brad Miller, programme director at Manchester Airport, added: “We are investing £1bn in the 10 year program which will radically improve the passenger and airline experience at Manchester Airport.

“While we are just at the start of this transformation project, there is already a great sense of excitement about what will be delivered and how. The team and I are delighted to have appointed Arcadis to support us on this journey, as they have clearly demonstrated how they will bring value to the program.”