Manchester Airport reopens new-look Terminal Two

Manchester Airport has opened its new Terminal Two extension to passengers from Wednesday 14th July ahead of an easing of travel restrictions.

Jet2 and TUI will be the first airlines launching flights from the new-look terminal, with other airlines set to join them as the government’s easing of travel restrictions for fully-vaccinated passengers comes into play.

The first passengers through the doors going to Menorca were the Thompson family from Preston, Lancashire. It consisted of mum Emma Thompson, dad Gary Thompson and children Brad, Ben and Lenny.

Gary Thompson commented on being the first passengers through:

It was a big surprise to be the first passengers in Manchester Airport’s new Terminal Two. It looks very posh, lovely and modern. We only travel once a year and have been through all the other terminals, but this new one is definitely better than anything we’ve seen before.”

To ensure the smoothest possible opening when flying resumes in earnest, MAG has agreed a staggered launch of the terminal with its airline partners. It will see Jet2 start flying from there from 14^th July, with just three flights on the first day – to Menorca, Ibiza and Palma de Mallorca.

The extended Terminal Two is the centrepiece of MAG’s £1 billion Manchester Airport Transformation Programme (MAN-TP), which was first announced in 2015. The terminal was originally set to reopen to passengers in the summer of 2020; however, this date was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on international travel.

TUI will operate flights from the terminal from 15^th July, with services to a range of destinations including green-listed Malta and Madeira. Singapore Airlines will move over on the 17^th.

With the Government set to update its red, amber and green lists on the 15^th – coupled with the amber list exemption for double vaccinated passengers from 19^th July – further announcements about new flights from Terminal 2 will follow over the coming weeks. That will see more airlines move across and more retailers and food and beverage outlets confirm their launch dates.

Karen Smart, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said:

“After a long wait, we are delighted to confirm the first passengers will be able to enjoy our new Terminal Two this week. It is a proud milestone for our airport as we begin to emerge from the restrictions brought about by the Covid-19 crisis, and an important moment in our 83-year history.

“This project was always about offering the modern airport experience that families and businesses across the North deserve as they travel through their international gateway to the world, and our new terminal certainly delivers on that goal.

“The impact of the pandemic on the travel industry means we are not able to immediately welcome as many customers and airlines into this fantastic new facility as we would have hoped.

“As Government restrictions continue to be eased, and travel to more destinations is opened-up in the weeks ahead, we will be making further announcements about the carriers and retailers operating from T2.

“In the meantime, we look forward to celebrating this milestone and welcoming those who are travelling through the new terminal later this week. I would also like to thank all our colleagues and partners for their hard work and dedication in getting us to this point.”

Manchester Airport has created a flythrough video to showcase the new terminal before it opens.

Covid-19 safety measures and processes

Throughout the pandemic Manchester Airport has had a range of Covid-19 safety measures in place. These include face coverings, Perspex screens and enhanced cleaning. The new terminal will have all the necessary measures in place to ensure passenger safety. The airport also continues to follow the latest Government and Public Health England advice, as it has done throughout the pandemic. For all the latest information visit the airport’s website.

Passengers should also read the latest Government advice, so they are familiar with its requirements and travel restrictions including passenger locator forms, testing and quarantine.