Green light for £1bn airport transformation plan

MANCHESTER City Council has, as expected, approved a £1bn programme, 10-year project to upgrade Manchester Airport.

The Airport Transformation Project as it is known, will see the current Terminal 1 phased out, while the newer Terminal 2 will be doubled in size with expanded self-service check-in facilities and a larger security hall.

The city’s planning committee also backed plans to demolish Terminal 1 and build a ramp from an M56 slip road to give access to a new departures forecourt.

Manchester Airports Group said the investment will mean it “continues to thrive as a national asset”. Chief executive Charlie Cornish, added: “The transformation programme will ensure the airport plays its full part in driving economic growth and develops as a key part of the UK transport infrastructure.”

The project, which is due to begin at the end of the year, also includes improvements to Terminal 3.