Manchester Airport gears up for biggest its Christmas yet

Manchester Airport has extra staff and festive surprises in place as it anticipates serving more than 1.5 million passengers over the Christmas break.

The two most popular days to travel over the Christmas period will be Friday, 19 December – the final Friday before Christmas – and Sunday, 28 December – when lots of people who spent Christmas away will return at the same time as many people who are spending New Year abroad will be departing.

There will even be 85 departures on Christmas day and almost 35,000 passengers expected to fly into or out of the airport. Dubai will be the most popular destination on Christmas day, with more than 1,500 people heading there.

It will come on the back of Manchester Airport’s busiest November on record. 2.2 million passengers flew into or out of the airport during the month – a 4% increase on the previous November record set last year.

Over the course of the month 96% of passengers waited for 10 minutes or under to get to security and 99% waited for under 15 minutes.

The majority of passengers this Christmas will use Manchester Airport’s brand new, £1.3 billion Terminal 2. Over the last few months airlines have been moving over the new facility so now all but Ryanair will operate from it.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“Christmas is one of the most exciting times of year to work here at Manchester Airport.  I love walking through arrivals, watching those special ‘Love Actually’ moments, and seeing the departure lounge full of excited faces.

“It’s the kind of thing that really epitomises what we mean when we say we’re proud to connect the North to the world – when I see those scenes I feel a personal pride in the part I’ve played and I know that’s shared by everyone who works here.

“This year is set to be even busier than last, with 1.5million passengers due to fly in the two-week Christmas period.  With all our work in preparation, I feel confident that they will get a great service.

“Our new Terminal 2 is almost fully open, meaning more passengers can benefit from everything it has to offer – from the extra space and the high-tech security equipment to the shopping, bars and restaurants in the departure lounge.  It really is a terminal to rival any in capital cities across Europe.

“And people using Terminal 3 will see the first signs of change as we improve and expand that too.

“Of course, there are always things people can do to make sure their passage through the airport is smooth – including the simple things like checking-in ahead of time and packing smart, but also things like remembering not to take wrapped presents through security. You want your presents to be opened by your loved ones, not our security staff!

“On behalf of all my colleagues at Manchester Airport, I’d like to wish all our passengers a very happy Christmas and a brilliant 2026 – we look forward to welcoming you.”

The airport, which is the UK’s biggest outside London with a route network of more than 200 destinations, has also provided passengers with a few hints and tips to help them make sure they have a relaxing start to their Christmas trips.

The tips include reminding people not to travel with wrapped presents in their hand baggage – as these will have to be opened to make sure they are safe to travel.