UK. Manchester Airport has previewed the new stores, restaurants and other facilities that will be available at its new ‘super terminal’, which opens in a first phase in July 2020. The UK’s third largest airport is undergoing a £1 billion transformation.
New shops opening in the departure lounge include JD Sports’ largest UK airport store, WHSmith and Dixons Travel. Dozens of new retail outlets will also open when the existing terminal building reopens, according to airport operator MAG (Manchester Airports Group).
15 new food & beverage outlets will open including local favourites such as San Carlo Cicchetti, Pot Kettle Black, Archie’s and Barburrito. HMSHost, TRG Concessions and SSP won the contracts to operate the concessions.
The new terminal will also feature a honeycomb light installation in the departure lounge. With 16 million settings, it will change colours depending on the time of day. An 83sq m digital screen will take centre stage in the new extension to provide entertainment and information to passengers.
In the first phase, a security hall, the departure lounge, an immigration hall, arrivals hall and a new bus gate lounge will open to passengers. Further facilities will start operating during the rest of 2020, including the first of the new ‘island’ check-in desk banks and new baggage reclaim facilities. As the various elements of the new extension open, the airport will start to close parts of the existing Terminal Two to allow for that area to be reconfigured to align with the new facilities.
The fully reconfigured Terminal Two will open in 2022 with 32 new shops and food & beverage outlets. The completed Terminal Two will be +150% bigger than the current building once finished, according to MAG.
“Our £1 billion transformation will allow us to continue playing our role as the UK’s global gateway in the north, offering our 29.5 million annual passengers and the entire region a world class airport, connecting them to a wealth of vital economic and tourist hubs,” said Manchester Airport CEO Andrew Cowan.
“We’re delighted with the progress that’s been made on the project and we can’t wait for passengers to experience the new facilities next summer. The new extension will offer a real step change to our passengers with state-of-the-art facilities and a great selection of shops and restaurants for them to enjoy.”
The first phase of the programme opened in April 2019 with the first passenger pier and a new 3,800 space multi-storey car park.
