Terminal 2 opens at Manchester Airport

As part of its £1bn Transformation Programme, Manchester Airport has opened its new ‘super-terminal’ to the public. The very first passengers to use the state-of-the-art facilities have boarded a Jet2 flight to Menorca.

As construction partner to the complex transformation programme, Laing O’Rourke’s remit included overseeing the extension of Terminal 2 by 150 per cent capacity, as well as delivering a new aircraft pier, multi-storey car park, outbound baggage hall and all associated external works. The terminal was handed over to Manchester Airports Group (MAG) in March 2020 on time and within budget.

More than 8,000 tonnes of steel was used to create the new terminal extension, which covers 81,000 square metres – large enough to accommodate 11 football pitches.

Manchester Airport’s Managing Director, Karen Smart, said: “The Manchester Airport Transformation Programme is the most ambitious expansion project in the history of our airport, and we are very grateful for the resourcefulness, dedication and ingenuity that our partners have shown in helping to bring it to fruition.

“We are immensely proud that our vision for this project has been delivered despite the myriad of obstacles faced, from Brexit uncertainty to a global pandemic.

“We have created a legacy, not only for travellers across the North, who now have access to a world-class facility with intercontinental connectivity, but also for children in our region, whose education will benefit from a visit to AeroZone; for thousands of local people, who secured jobs working on the project; for Manchester-based bar and restaurant chains, who will gain new premises with access to a global clientele; and for hundreds of apprentices, who will look back on this project as the place their career began.”

Gareth Jacques, Project Director at Laing O’Rourke said: “We’re delighted to see the new Terminal 2 open at Manchester Airport. Laing O’Rourke is proud to have played a role in its construction, and created a world-class piece of infrastructure that will bring significant economic benefit to the North.

“Constructing a high-quality, modern airport for 30 million passengers required detailed planning so close collaboration with our supply chain and design partners was key. By harnessing our experience of digital engineering, modern methods of construction and creating an effective work environment with our engaged workforce, we were able to deliver the programme on time and within budget.”