£50m upgrade for airport terminal
Both business and holiday travellers will benefit from the £50 million revamp of Manchester Airport’s terminal one.
But Bolton will also benefit, as the airport is owned by the Manchester Airport Group (MAG), made up of the 10 Greater Manchester councils.
The aim of the revamp was to try to make the whole process from arrival to departure easier, and quicker for passengers, and with less hassle.
Expert psychologists were even brought in to help with the new design.
They identified major stress points in the car parks, check-in and security areas.
Changes now include a valet parking service for VIP and business travellers and people should now be seen in order or arrival at the check-in desks.
The airport claims that no-one will have to wait for more than eight minutes to clear security thanks to a new £14 million, 14 lane security area.
Managing Director, Andrew Cornish said: “Our terminal redesigns have had to withstand the test of time. The liquid ban and the terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport meant we had to take them back to the drawing board several times.
“However with the work finished in Terminal One and Terminal Two set to follow shortly, the future looks bright.”
The revamp of the flagship terminal has taken two years to complete and retailers have spent nearly £15 million on fitting out 52 units.
New stores on the site include Kurt Geiger, Fat Face, Mango, Dixons, Starbucks, SoHo Coffee House and Monsoon, which will compliment the Biza and Attitude launched last year.
The result is the creation of one of the UK’s largest airside shopping and catering facilities and a completely redesigned flow within the terminal, designed to make passengers’ journeys easier.
Economists and business leaders say the huge investment should help attract extra passengers.