Manchester Airport Celebrates 70 Years
Manchester Airport will mark its 70th anniversary on June 25th 2008
The airport, which was originally called Manchester (Ringway) Airport, today handles more than 22 million passengers a year and is one of the UK’s largest international airports.
A series of celebratory events have been planned to take place throughout the year including an M Fest family day, a dinner for dignitaries and this birthday year will also see the long awaited completion of the new Concorde hangar.
Manchester Airport’s Managing Director Andrew Cornish said: “Manchester Airport has a long and fascinating history and we’re proud to be celebrating our 70th anniversary.
“The airport has changed beyond recognition from those early days and we are constantly innovating and improving Manchester Airport to make sure that we give our passengers what they want.
“Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 are both undergoing major redevelopment work at the moment and we are working on a new air traffic control tower and, of course, the new hangar for Concorde. We now fly to more than 220 destinations world-wide and have more than 100 airlines operating out of Manchester Airport. These are exciting times for the future of Manchester Airport.”
In 6 months of operations in 1938 the airport handled 4000 passengers - In 6 months of operations in 2007 the airport handled over 11 million passengers – that’s 22 million a year.
In 1938 there were 12 destinations served by Manchester, only 1 of them being outside the UK - In 2007 Manchester had over 220 destinations worldwide, more than any other UK airport.
In 1938 there were only two check-in desks - In 2008 there are hundreds of check-in desks, plus Express and Internet check-in facilities.
The runway in 1938 was 3000 feet in length - The modern runways are 10000 feet (3048 metres) in length.
Manchester Airport – A Quick History
June 25th 1938 - Ringway opens. In its first 14 months, the airport handles 7,600 passengers… the equivalent of a summer morning's work today.
1939 - An illuminated concrete fog line is installed, marking out the main 06/24 runway. It was the first one to be installed outside of the USA.
1941 - The prototype Lancaster bomber is given its first test flight from Ringway.
1951- The main runway is extended from 1,280 metres to 1,798 metres.
1952 - The Airport commences 24-hour operations and now handles 163,000 passengers every year.
1954 - The airport officially changes it name from Manchester Ringway to Manchester Airport. The airport records its millionth passenger since the Second World War.
1962 - Prince Phillip officially opens a new terminal (now Terminal 1) that was the first European terminal to utilise the 'pier' system, in which passengers remain under cover until ready to board the aircraft. The main concourse also had four Venetian chandeliers hanging from the roof.
1967 - A major extension began on the main runway; the work involved bridging the A538 Wilmslow to Altrincham road.
1969 - The runway is extended to 2,745 metres, allowing aircraft to take off with a full payload and fly non-stop to Canada.
1971- The airport reaches 2 million passengers for the first time.
1978 - The government announced that Manchester had been nominated as the sole Category A 'Gateway International Airport' outside of London. 15 scheduled airlines operate flights to 37 destinations in the UK, Europe and North America. Over one hundred companies operate at the airport, employing more than 5,000 people.
1980 - For the first time, passenger numbers top more than half a million in a single month. Manchester became the fastest growing international airport in Europe.
1984 - In June of that year, the Duchess of Kent officially opens the new check-in facilities.
1986 - The Pier C satellite lounge is completed in July with parking available for three wide-bodied aircraft, this greatly improved aircraft handling facilities. In September the first phase of the new dedicated Cargo Centre, The World Freight Terminal, was completed.
1987 - The final phase of the redevelopment of the Terminal saw a massive £3 million refurbishment of the concourse.
1989 - HRH the Princess of Wales opens the new Domestic Terminal, which includes dedicated check-in and car parking facilities.
1992 - The Aviation Viewing Park is opened. Ringway Handling Services is formed, to provide a complete baggage and freight-handling service.
1993 - Terminal Two is officially opened, again by Prince Phillip (in this case filling in for the Queen who was ill). Built at a cost of £265 million, it represented the largest construction enterprise in the region, and was designed to handle six million passengers a year.
A new railway station is opened in May, providing direct links to many towns and cities in the North of England.
The airport is formally recognised as the largest sponsor of the arts in the North West and ranks in the top ten national arts sponsors.
1997 - Approval is granted and work begins for the building of the second runway.
1998 - A major extension to Terminal One domestic is opened by the Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. The new Terminal is first known as Terminal One British Airways, but has now been rebranded as Terminal 3.
2001 - Runway Two is officially opened by the Prime Minister, Tony Blair. The £172million development was the first Runway to be built in the UK for more than 20 years.
2002 - As a major host-city sponsor, Manchester Airport welcomes athletes from around the world to the Commonwealth Games.
2003 – The £5.5 million retail upgrade of Terminal 1 is completed and extensive development of Terminal 2 gets under way.
Manchester Airport’s bid to house one of the retired Concorde fleet is successful. It is announced that the aircraft, G-BOAC, will go on display in the Aviation Viewing Park from Spring/Summer 2004.
2004 - The airport’s newly built public transport interchange, offering connections to many major UK cities, is officially opened by the Rt Hon Margaret Beckett, MP. The airport marks its 20 millionth passenger in the space of a year.
2005 - Manchester Airport handles 22 million passengers in a year, for the first time.
2006 - Lufthansa celebrates 50 years of flights from Manchester Airport.
2007 - Building work begins on a major refurbishment of Terminal One. Meanwhile, runway markings are changed to 05-23 from 06-24 to account for changes to the earth’s magnetic field.
Ends
For further media information contact Manchester Airport Press Office 0161 489 2700 or email