Taxiway transformation underway as part of airport’s £1bn investment programme

Work has started on a new taxiway at Manchester Airport as part of a £1bn transformation programme.

The building of Taxiway Delta Echo marks the start of the reconfiguration of the airfield at the UK’s third largest airport to help feed the redeveloped Terminal 2.

The works will see 80,000 sq m of new taxiway and apron, 40,000 sq m of concrete poured and 16 miles of cabling installed.

The work is due to be completed by 2020.

Galliford Try will deliver the taxiway works as part of the Airfield Phase 2 design and build contract awarded in December 2017.

Jacobs is providing MAG with client project and programme management support services.

Once finished, the work aims to improve aircraft access to the new terminal, leading to reduced taxi times and reducing the amount of fuel they burn.

The works will be the biggest changes to the airfield since Runway 2 came into operation in 2001.

Andrew Cowan, CEO of Manchester Airport, said: “It’s great to see the start of work for the reconfiguration of our taxiways, which will help to unlock the airfield capacity that will allow the airport to continue to grow.

“It’s another exciting milestone alongside the works already happening on the terminal building.  Our airline customers will see taxi times reduced which will ultimately improve the experience for our 28m passengers.”

MAG said work on the £1bn transformation programme continues at pace.

The first pier will open to passengers in April 2019 with the redeveloped terminal building set to open in 2020.