Saturday, March 23, 2024
The airfield’s modifications will increase its capacity, allowing the world’s largest passenger planes to taxi alongside each other as they travel to and from Terminal 2. Furthermore, the additional pier will nearly double the number of aircraft that can operate from the new super-terminal, providing passengers with more waiting space.
These projects are being executed with innovative approaches to enhance the airport’s operational efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of development. The revamped airfield will significantly boost the number of planes that can operate on it without requiring additional concrete, eliminating a previous bottleneck that limited its full capacity utilization. This enhancement will also enable even the largest passenger planes, such as the Airbus A380s, to maneuver side by side near Terminal 2.
Moreover, 150 pre-cast piles have been successfully installed to support the new pier, along with several steel structures that facilitate the connection of planes of various sizes to the pier through air bridges. Consequently, the pier’s completion will substantially increase the terminal’s aircraft-handling capabilities, including accommodation for Airbus A380s.
The construction, managed by Mace and executed by contractor Martifer, employs an innovative “kit of parts architecture” process for certain structural elements. This approach involves constructing these parts off-site and then installing them as complete units, minimizing on-site construction and traffic movements.
This method not only reduces carbon emissions significantly but also accelerates the construction timeline while minimizing disruptions on the airfield. Collectively, these developments will enable Manchester Airport to enhance its services for passengers in the North, potentially expanding its offerings beyond the already impressive 200 destinations it serves.
Jill Fraser, Transformation Programme Delivery Director, said:
“These are significant developments in the Manchester Airport Transformation Programme. The changes to the taxiway unlock the airfield’s potential while the pier will allow us to accommodate the extra aircraft.
“For a few months now most of the work on the pier has been happening underground, preparing the way for installing this complex structure.
“Now we’re seeing the first visible signs of what’s about to be built and it’s really exciting. We’ve worked closely with Mace and Martifer to make sure this is delivered in such a way as to cut delivery times, minimise disruption and decrease the carbon footprint of the project at the same time.
“We’re looking forward to seeing all the progress that will follow over the coming months before it is completed next year.”
The pier stands out as the most significant addition in the final phase of Manchester Airport’s £1.3 billion Transformation Programme (MAN-TP), which was initially introduced in 2015 with a decade-long vision to revolutionize the passenger experience at the northern region’s prominent UK global gateway.
During the construction phase of the project, more than 500 jobs are being created, with projections indicating it will generate up to 16,400 jobs by 2040, as per independent analyses.
This new pier will closely resemble Terminal 2’s Pier 1, operational since 2021, offering 13 spacious boarding gates and flexible aircraft stands designed for next-generation aircraft.
In the first phase, Terminal 2 underwent a significant expansion, more than doubling its original size, and has received positive feedback from both passengers and airlines since its summer 2021 opening. The ongoing second phase involves upgrading the original building with an additional security hall, an extended departure lounge with a fresh look, and airfield reconfigurations aimed at enhancing operational efficiency.
By its completion in 2025, the expanded Terminal 2 is expected to cater to over 70% of all passengers, featuring 27 new retail outlets, bars, and restaurants. These additions include a high-street style shopping area, a champagne bar, and a food hall, enriching the overall airport experience.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
