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Manchester International Airport
 Location
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Essentials
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Airlines
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Location –
Manchester International Airport is the third-busiest airport
in the UK. It has provided direct flights to over 180 destinations worldwide
by over 95 airlines. The airport is located on the boundary between Cheshire
and Manchester in England. The airport I swell-known in this part of the
world for its services. The airport is at about 20 minutes drive from the
core of Manchester on the M56 motorway. The airport is owned by the Manchester
Airport Group.
Know your Airport - Manchester
Airport is the 12th busiest European airport. A home to around
95 airlines, the airport currently serves over 170 worldwide destinations.
The airport is proud of the distinction of being able to affect almost 1/3rd
of UK population. The airport is famous for its cargo capacity and services.
In 2001, Manchester Airport facilitated more than 120,000 tonnes of cargo.
The airport has 3 well-spread out terminals which offer excellent services
to both visitors and travelers. Manchester airport is still been used as
a deviation airport for Concorde if Heathrow and Gatwick were fogbound.
The reason behind this is the large and spacious runways. It can easily
handle Airbus A340 and Boeing 747.
Airport Structure
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Terminals
– The airport has 3 side by side terminals.
Transit systems – On can use the bus services to travel
from Terminal 3 to Terminal 1. There is also a train station in the
heart of the airport complex. The Skylink moving walkway connects
the station and the three terminal buildings. The options are easy
and fast.
Inside the terminals – Terminal 1 and terminal
3 are connected and terminal 2 is accessible via the Station - the
airport's main public transport hub. There are separate check-in areas
for international and charter flights. It is important to note that
the charter check-in for Air-tours passengers is on the lower level
and the two zones are linked by lifts and escalators. For the international
flights, the check-in is 2 hours before departure. The same applies
for European flights. The comparatively mild rush for domestic flights
has resulted in the check-in time being reduced to 1 hour before departure.
Arrival is arranged on the lower level. The purely international passengers
don’t need to go through Immigrations or Customs. All the passengers
who are traveling from international to domestic destinations are
put through special immigration check points. Their baggage is thoroughly
checked. Generally terminal 1 & 2 are used for international flights.
Terminal 3 is usually used for UK domestic flights.
Safety - Enhanced security measures are adopted
at Manchester International Airport. This means that
travelers should allow more time while going for security checks.
Manchester Airport is policed and secured by Greater Manchester Police.
It is advised that one should always check the exact hand luggage
allowance with particular airline before packing. Some items like
scissors, blades, knives, needles and even pool cues/darts are not
allowed while traveling. The security troops have strict policies
for cylinders, magnets, fire-lighters, poisons and radioactive materials.
The lapses in security at the airport are a thing of past with latest
gadgets replacing human intervention. As a result, the airport has
been spared of delays and emergency security landings.
Business facilities – There are a whole range of world
class business facilities available inside the terminals of Manchester
International Airport. The Business Centre at Terminal 3 offers private
workstations with telephones, fax services, and photocopying facilities.
There are rooms available for hire (Ringway suite at terminal 2) and
videoconferencing facilities are also available. There are many points
from where internet can be accessed. Manchester Airport can provide
for up to 400 people at its out-and-out conference and banqueting
facilities. Comprehensive range of audio-visual equipment including
overhead projection system, PA system, centralized control consoles,
telephone, fax, etc. arte available. Executive lounges are located
in all terminals at the Airport and at the Business Centre, situated
in Terminal 3. They cater exclusively to business passengers. Click
here to know more.
Family interests – There are a variety of facilities
to accommodate the needs of families traveling through the airport.
Babies present a significant problem to their parents at airports.
This is why the owners of the airport have baby changing facilities
located in all three terminals close to the ladies toilets. There
is a new facility on level 5 which plans to put together baby change
rooms in a unique way. They will be having attractive decor, a children's
high chair, a bottle warmer, a soft padded changing mat and a specially
designed chair for nursing mothers. Within the airport, many restaurants
and cafes provide high chairs and offer food right for children. There
is a Playcare centre. This place offers a chance for young children
to play or enjoy TV in a special children's area. It is located in
the departure lounge in Terminal 1 and is open 24 hours a day. There
is also a play area in the Departures Lounge of Terminal 1. Art Desks
are located at most eating areas. They are colorful and relaxing.
The Manchester Airport offers many viewing areas like Spectator's
Terrace at Terminal 1. There are fantastic viewing options available
in the WH Smith, located in all three terminals. They sell important
merchandise. |
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Special services
– are available for all the passengers who require assistance
in planning travel-route and shopping. Theses services are specially
suited for the visually-challenged, hearing impaired individuals and
the very old. Several assistance points are located throughout the
airport. All terminals offer ramps, wider pathways, telephones at
a height accessible to wheelchair users. Check-ins are done usually
faster for these people. The authorities have kept a keen eye on the
special needs of some travelers. At Manchester Airport, they are given
that ‘special’ consideration.
Parking options – There are in all 6 secured parking
options in and around the Manchester airport. Short Stay parking as
well as Long Stay parking are available. The minimum duration for
keeping a vehicle in long stay car parks is eight days. There are
separate arrangements and special discounts.
Extra information - Manchester Airport is
not only famous as a key passenger airport, but a major cargo centre.
The airlines that operate cargo services Air Hong Kong, Cargolux,
China Airlines Cargo, Dragonair, Federal Express and MAS Kargo.
All passenger information is available in the airport information
systems. Important information on airlines, timings and vital announcements
are made public much before arrivals & departure. It is advisable
to be present at least 30 minutes prior to international or local
connection flights.
Leaving from Manchester airport – The airport
is just about 20 minutes drive from central Manchester on the M56
motorway. There are ample ground transportation facilities available.
Taxi ranks are situated by arrivals at all three terminals. National
Express operates coaches from all over the UK to terminals 1 and 2.
There are urban bus links to the Manchester Urban Cornubation. There
is also a train station in the heart of the airport complex. For avid
walkers, the Skylink moving walkway links the station and the three
terminal buildings. The trains operated by Northern Rail or First
Transpennine Express – enable you to go to many destinations
around UK. The journey times are minimal. Currently there are plans
to build a Metrolink light rail extension to the airport from Manchester
Piccadilly.
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Essentials - Currency exchange can be done by using
the Currency pre-order and pick up services at the airport. Exchange rates
for over 50 currencies are available at competitive rates. Other essentials
like hotel booking and travel planning can be done online using many reliable
service providers. Group discounts are also available.
Airlines operating from Manchester Airport
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Prominent
airlines from terminal 1 - Terminal One is mostly used by
non BA international traffic. Plans are underway to remove Terminal
1 in 2010 as it is overburdened. Prominent airlines operating are
Air Atlanta Europe, Air Berlin, Air Canada, Air Scandic, bmi –
International, bmibaby, European Air Charter, Estonian Air, Etihad
Airways, Fly Air, Flybe, Jet2.com, Kibris Türk Hava Yollari,
Lufthansa, Luxair, Monarch Airlines, MyTravel Airways, Olympic Airlines,
Saga, Scandinavian Airlines System, SkyEurope, Skyservice and Thomas
Cook Airlines etc.
Prominent airlines from terminal 2 - Terminal 2 is used mostly
by long haul and charter traffic. Airlines operating from terminal
2 include Adria Airways, Air France, Air Malta, Alitalia, Atlasjet,
Astraeus, Britannia Airways, Bulgaria Air, BWIA West Indies Airways,
Continental Airlines, Croatia Airlines, CSA Czech Airlines, Delta
Air Lines, Emirates, Excel Airways, First Choice Airways, Freebird,
Inter Airlines, LTE International Airways, Maersk Air, Onur Air, Pakistan
International Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Syrian
Air, US Airways and Zoom Airlines. Many other airlines also operate
from terminal 2.
Prominent airlines from terminal 3 - Terminal 3 was
before known as terminal 1 domestic. It was revamped and renamed in
the late 1990s. Terminal 1 is primarily used for British Airways,
oneworld and domestic traffic. Airlines operating are Air Southwest,
British Airways, British Airways operated by GB Airways, BA Connect,
Eastern Airways, Finnair, SN Brussels Airlines and VLM etc.
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