The idea is to create a lasting first impression of the region to visitors and welcome them to the North West. The airport is encouraging customers to help decide on the images that they believe best meet these criteria, so it is inviting individuals to submit images they have taken themselves to the Manchester Airport Flickr group for consideration to go on permanent display in Terminal One.

Manchester Airport's Head of Customer Experience, Sarah Barrett, said: "We aspire to provide a world class experience for our customers and part of this involves empowering them to tell us what they want to see. As the gateway to the region we also want visitors to experience the friendly welcome that the North is traditionally famous for."

Entrants should submit their photographs online to Manchester Airport's Flickr group, with the selected images set to be enlarged to a floor to ceiling size and branded with the photographer's name. They will be going on permanent display in Terminal One as part of the new Arrivals Experience for Summer 2010. If successful the scheme will eventually be extended to the Terminals Two and Three.

The photographs can be ones previously taken, or they can be new; and there is no limit on the number of photographs that can be submitted for consideration. Entrants should submit their photographs online via the Manchester Airport Flickr group at: www.manchesterairport.co.uk/arrivalsphotosearch

The closing date for consideration is midday on Friday 19th March 2010. Terms and conditions apply - see the website for details.

Manchester Airport, part of the Manchester Airports Group, is joint-owned by the ten councils of Greater Manchester: Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, Trafford and Wigan.

About Etihad Airways

• Etihad Airways flies seven flights per week from Manchester to its home base in Abu Dhabi.
• Etihad Airways is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates based in the UAE's capital, Abu Dhabi. Currently Etihad Airways offers flights to 60 destinations in the Middle East, Europe, North America, Africa, Australia and Asia.
• For tickets and reservations, call 0800 731 9384. For further details, visit www.etihadairways.com

SCHEDULE:
Monday - Fridays
Depart Manchester 1040 arr Bournemouth 1140
Depart Bournemouth 1205 arr Manchester 1305

Sundays
Depart Manchester 1015 arr Bournemouth 1115
Depart Bournemouth 1140 arr Manchester 1240

Mike Rutter, Flybe's Chief Commercial Officer comments: "We're delighted to be adding this new destination to our extensive choice of regional services. It not only reflects our commitment to continued growth at Manchester Airport where we are the largest scheduled airline but also our development into new regions. Our new Bournemouth route will be especially convenient to those living and working in the more westerly counties of the South Coast, so extending further our extensive regional presence."

The news has been welcomed by Bournemouth Airport, with Managing Director, Rob Goldsmith commenting: "At a time when the economy is still struggling we are delighted to welcome Flybe as a new airline at Bournemouth Airport. Manchester is one of our most requested destinations and I know that business and leisure travellers alike will be keen to take advantage of this direct link to the north."

Manchester Airport's Commercial Director Andrew Harrison said: "We welcome this news from Flybe. This route to Bournemouth not only extends our network across the UK but connects our sister airport with Manchester.

"This is a brand new destination from Manchester Airport to a popular holiday town that also offers our passengers a fastest connection to the surrounding Dorset resorts. We look forward to working with Flybe in making this service a great success."

Flybe offers passengers an quality range of benefits that includes Premium Economy travel offering dedicated Executive Lounges, Rewards4all loyalty programme as well as a through check-in service link with Virgin Atlantic that means that those travelling with a through ticket for Flybe and Virgin Atlantic sectors to and from a number of UK airports including Manchester, can now have their boarding cards issued for both flights at the very start of their journey.

Mr Rutter adds: "Flybe is continually striving to improve our customer experience for the added convenience of our passengers. We expect our new route to be popular for those planning their holidays or weekends away and wanting their budgets to go as far as possible, so it's advisable to book early to take advantage of the lowest possible fares."

KLM today celebrated its new Economy Comfort zone with a spectacular 'gliding act' performed by the infamous Dutch magician Ramana at Manchester International Airport. Ramana's act ties in with the launch of KLM's new advertising campaign 'Choose Your Personal Kind of Comfort', which will now feature throughout Terminal 2.

The impressive stunt saw passengers sitting on invisible seats, seemingly floating on air and was designed to highlight the extra recline and leg room offered by the Economy Comfort zone.

To be in with a chance to win a pair of return Economy Comfort flights to Hong Kong courtesy of KLM visit the airline's Twitter account at www.twitter.com/KLM_UK or the airport's Twitter account at www.twitter.com/manairport and Re-Tweet photography from today's event as directed. You will be automatically entered into a free prize draw to win the flights.

The new Economy Comfort zone offers passengers up to 10 cm more legroom and allows them to recline twice as far as a standard economy seat. The nominal fee for an Economy Comfort seat ranges from EUR 80 to EUR 150 for a one-way trip, depending on the distance covered and seats can be reserved via the 'Manage My Booking' tab on www.klm.com up to 90 days before departure.

PHOTO: http://twitpic.com/13ksgo

PICTURED: An impressed crowd of Manchester Airport travellers sees Ramana defy gravity with his gliding act, which showcases KLM's new Economy Comfort zone product

For more information on KLM call Samantha Darlaston at Consolidated PR on 020 7781 2300 or email klm@consolidatedpr.com.

So this year, airport security staff have been given a secret phrase that romantic passengers can whisper if they want to request a private search behind a privacy screen in Terminals 1 and 3 or to go through the Body Scanner in Terminal 2.

Passengers travelling in the run up to 14th February can mention the secret phrase, 'Be My Valentine', to security staff to be given this option of a private search if you have an engagement ring on your person.

Mike Fazackerley, Manchester Airport's Director of Customer Services and Security, explained: "Our security staff are more than happy for passengers to use the secret phrase especially if it avoids ruining a romantic proposal they had planned. We want to make all of our customer's journeys easier but also to ensure our high standards of security are not compromised."

If you are planning on storing an engagement ring in your hand luggage please be aware that this is subject to inspection by security staff before you can head through to the departure lounge. This can include a full examination of carry-on items in front of passengers so don't forget to use the code words to avoid you having to have an impromptu proposal in the security search area!

The extract below is taken from Manchester Airport's aviation security procedures and will remain in place from Friday 12th February 2010 to Monday 15th February 2010:

"Aviation security officers at outbound control are to inspect passenger hand baggage behind the privacy screen if given the code words 'Be My Valentine' by the passenger at the point where he/she is advised that further baggage inspection is required."

• Around 175,000 passengers are expected to travel through Manchester Airport over the weekend 12th to the 15th February 2010.

• The most popular destinations from Manchester this Valentine's weekend are Rome, Paris, New York, Dubai and the Croatian city of Bratislava.

The agency, recently benchmarked as one of the Top 20 investment promotion agencies in the world, is relocating to Voyager at Manchester Airport after more than 12 years at its current location in Trafford Park.

Voyager was chosen as the new home for the agency because the airport is the major international gateway to the Manchester City Region as it also provides staff and clients with excellent road, rail and bus links.

As Manchester Airport operates direct flights to more than 200 destinations worldwide and is actively seeking further routes, the move keeps MIDAS at the heart of international trade and investment. The addition of further routes would encourage more overseas investment in the city region, which is already home to more than 1,500 foreign owned businesses.

Voyager was selected following a comprehensive search of Greater Manchester office locations by property agents Savills with the deal negotiated by MAG Developments, the property and development arm of the Manchester Airports Group.

Michael Oglesby, Chairman of MIDAS, said: "Moving to a new home at a strategic gateway location was one of the ways in which the agency was 'working harder and smarter' to secure new investment whilst recognising the need to drive down overheads.

"Despite the global downturn, we beat our demanding targets by directly assisting in the creation and retention of more than 5,000 jobs last year, but we never rest on our laurels and are always seeking new ways in which to secure investment and jobs for the city region.

'We've found Trafford Park to be a great location for business, however we very much look forward to moving to our new home and continuing to work even more closely with Manchester Airports Group - undoubtedly one of the jewels in the city region's crown.'

John Atkins, Managing Director of MAG Developments, said: "We are delighted that MIDAS has decided to relocate to Voyager at Manchester Airport. We are confident that this move will bring huge benefits to MIDAS, the airport and the region and we are looking forward to welcoming them to the airport in spring 2010."

Manchester Airport, which has been trialling a Rapiscan Secure 1000 scanner in Terminal 2 since October 2009, is one of two airports that have been directed by the Government to introduce the technology today. Additional scanners are also planned for Terminals 1 and 3 by the end of February.

Since the incident on an airliner bound for Detroit on Christmas Day, the UK Government has been working closely with airport authorities to develop additional security measures including introducing body scanners at larger airports.

The new security rules on body scanners, which are being introduced in addition to the current security procedures, make it mandatory for any passengers who are selected for a scan to participate. These include:

Passengers who have requested a private search prior to or after passing through the walk-through metal detection equipment.
Passengers who have been referred for a private search following an unresolved metal detection alarm or if the security officer believes that further investigation is required following completion of the hand search process.
If explosive trace detection equipment causes an alarm to sound, or if vapour detection equipment has caused an alarm.
Any passenger can also be selected at random without regard to personal characteristics for a scan.

Under the new rules, any refusal to be body scanned will result in passengers not being allowed to travel.

"We understand that compulsory body scanning is a big change for customers who are selected under the new rules. We know privacy concerns have been on our customers' minds which is why we have put strict procedures to reassure them that their privacy will be protected", said Manchester Airport's Head of Customer Experience, Sarah Barrett.

"We've been at the forefront in the development of imaging technology for UK airports and feel we are well placed to introduce this relatively simple, safe and straightforward security process. It will enhance security for everyone, which can only be a good thing, without compromising people's privacy. The image generated by the body scanner cannot be stored or captured nor can security officers viewing the images recognise people. Contrary to reports, the equipment does not allow security staff to see passengers naked".

Previously, under 18's were not allowed to participate in the body scanner trial at Manchester Airport. However, the Government has confirmed as part of the new rules that this exemption no longer applies.

Manchester Airport is providing passengers travelling through Terminal 2 with detailed information about the introduction of body scanners. The same information is also available on its website alongside video footage illustrating the process.

ENDS

From February 1^st 2010, additional Government legislation came into operation at this airport. Any selected passenger who refuses to use the scanner will be denied travel.

This latest advance in aviation security has the potential to replace the familiar "pat down" searches including the need to remove coats, jackets, shoes and belts.

We regularly hear that passengers don't like undergoing a personal search by security staff but they understand that it's a necessary part of keeping them safe. Imaging technology offers a potential alternative.

How does it work?

Imaging technology (Rapiscan Systems' Secure 1000 Single Pose) works by bouncing x-rays off an individual's skin to produce an outline image of the person's body, which is then used to detect concealed, potentially dangerous objects.

This image is transmitted to a remote security officer who has no visual or verbal contact with the area where the imaging machine is located. The security officer viewing the image then electronically confirms if the passenger can proceed or whether a search is required.

The process is entirely anonymous. We can assure you that contrary to popular misconception, imaging technology does not allow security staff to see you naked. The video below shows how the process takes place:

Will you be able to recognise me from my image?

The image produced is a black and white, ghost-like outline of an individual's body without any distinguishing features such as hair or facial features, making it impossible to recognise people but simple to detect concealed threats.

How can you guarantee my privacy?

Images are transmitted to a standalone computer where they cannot be stored or captured after the passenger volunteer has passed through the imaging technology.

All security staff involved in the operation of the imaging technology trial will be prohibited from carrying mobile phones or cameras. To enforce this, every member of staff will be searched before beginning their shift.

Is it safe?

The equipment is approved by the Health Protection Agency. Each full body scan of the Secure 1000 produces approximately 3 microREMs of emission. This is equivalent to the exposure every person receives each five minutes from naturally occurring background environmental radioactivity.

Isn't it illegal to make an image of a child?

On Friday 29^th January 2010, the Department for Transport issued a directive under the Aviation Security Act 1982 relating to Body Scanners. This relates to Heathrow Airport in Terminal 4 and Manchester Airport in Terminal 2 where the scanners are currently in operation. Any selected passenger, including under 18s, who refuses to use the scanner will be denied travel.

Will Children be forced to use the Scanner?

The use of Body Scanners is compatible with the Protection of Children Act 1978 and we are confident the introduction of these scanners is a proportionate and necessary step in enhancing security for passengers.

The Government directive authorising the use of body scanners by airports does not exempt children because this would undermine the effectiveness of these new security measures.

All Airport staff viewing the images will have already undergone a criminal record check which includes checking for offences against children.

Do I have a choice ?

If a passenger, once selected for a body scan refuses, they will not be permitted to travel - this may seem harsh but our overriding concern is the safety of passengers and staff alike. Security staff operating the body scanner are able to answer any questions or concerns that you may have about the process so please don't be afraid to ask.

Will I be exempt on religious grounds?

All passengers, if selected, must use the body scanner in order to be allowed into the departure lounge.

Who will see the image ?

Only the security guard screening the image and it is deleted as soon as it is screened. The security officer viewing the images will be prevented from carrying mobile phones, cameras or any other recording device.

What if I want my image viewed by someone of my sex?

Passengers modesty and privacy is protected by extensive safeguards - for example the person viewing the image will not be able to see the person being screened.

I am transgendered

As the person viewing the images cannot see who is being screened the passengers modesty and privacy is not breached.

Geoff, 60, who has been with MAG for 22 years, oversaw the construction of Terminal 2 and the second runway, which is the only full length civil aviation runway to be built in the UK over last 50 years, as well as overseeing the acquisition of Humberside, East Midlands and Bournemouth Airports to form the largest British-owned airport operator in the UK.

"Geoff has led MAG through its development as a well-invested, award winning Group whose airports hold all of the major travel industry awards for 2009," said Chairman Mike Davies.

"He has been a hugely positive influence both within the Group and the industry. His decision to retire comes during a year when I expect aviation to recover from the unprecedented effects of the global recession and by the time Geoff hands over, MAG will be well-placed to take full advantage of the upturn.

"Whilst we lose his services as Group Chief Executive later this year, we anticipate that Geoff will continue his relationship with us by acting as an ambassador for the Group within the industry".

Commenting on his decision to retire, Geoff said: "By the end of this year, the economic recovery is forecast to be well established making it the right time for me to stand down. I anticipate my legacy to the new Group Chief Executive to be taking responsibility for a healthy, prosperous business working with a World-class team".

The process to appoint a new Group Chief Executive will begin shortly. The precise date of Geoff's leaving will be confirmed following the appointment of his successor, which is likely to be towards the end of 2010.

Separately, MAG is also announcing today the appointment of Stuart Chambers, Vanda Murray, David Partridge, Councillor David Goddard as Non-Executive Directors to the Group Board. Councillor Goddard joins as a shareholder nominated Director following the retirement from the Board of Lord Peter Smith.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, MAG's majority shareholder, said: "MAG is a tremendously important business to the North West therefore it is vital to ensure a smooth transition as Geoff embarks on his final year as Group Chief Executive. He has made a tremendous contribution to this region and I'm sure that he will continue to do so for the rest of his tenure.

"I would also like to welcome the newly appointed Non-Executive Directors to MAG's Board. I am confident that they will make a significant contribution to the future development of the business."

Business Travel Awards
The impressive double win began with securing Best UK Airport at the Business Travel Awards, held on Monday the 18th January 2010. Managing to beat off stiff competition from its sister airport, East Midlands Airport, Manchester was praised for its comprehensive environmental and CSR measures as well as significant improvements in customer satisfaction results. The event was held at London's Grosvenor House and hosted by Jon Culshaw.

Winners included Lufthansa as best airline worldwide; Whitbread's budget Premier Inn as best hotel brand; Manchester and Dubai airports; BridgeStreet Worldwide for its serviced apartments; Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) and Business Travel Direct (BTD) as the top travel management companies; and BSI as the best hotel booking agency.

Flybe collected the award for its environmental contribution, as well as being named as joint winner, with Air Berlin, in the short-haul airline category. Etihad Airways taking the award for long-haul. Eurostar received the first bit of good news since all the adverse publicity surrounding the disruption to its services just before Christmas, having been voted best rail operator - the decision by the judges relating to its overall performance during the preceding 12 months.

This year's line up of judges included senior buyers and leading business travel journalists.

Travel Weekly Globe Awards 2010
Manchester went on to be crowned Best Regional UK Airport at the Travel Weekly Globe Awards 2010 ahead of other nominees, including sister airports Bournemouth and East Midlands Airport, Birmingham International, Cardiff, Doncaster Sheffield, Glasgow, London Gatwick, London Heathrow and Stansted.

This year saw a record number of votes, in excess of 62,000 agents voted - 10,000 more than last year.

The campaign starts on Monday 18th January and runs for 4 weeks for the ITV Granada and Channel Four North region to inform viewers of the super cheap car parking on offer at the airport.

With 3,000 car park spaces between JetParks 1, which opened June 2009, and JetParks 2, opening a month later, the two car parks have been met with extremely positive passenger feedback.

Andrew Harrison, Manchester Airport's Commercial Director, said: "We are all very excited to be branching out into TV adverts for the first time. The purpose of the adverts is to highlight to passengers how cheap and easy it is to get safe and secure parking at Manchester Airport. We are dedicated to offering passengers a range of car parking options that suit all needs and budgets from valet parking to JetParks."

This budget car park option is proving popular for passengers looking for cheap secure car parking at Manchester Airport during the credit crunch. With buses to the three terminals every 15 minutes you can turn up to the car park and be sat on your flight before you know it.

With prices starting from just £2.99 a day it suits every budget from long weekends away to business meetings abroad to a full weeks family holiday parking without breaking the bank.

Paul Bennett, Art Director, WRG who worked on the creative brief, said: "Having developed the successful JetParks brand, we were delighted to be able to bring Captain Parks to life - a very dapper pilot with smooth moves and a really big ego. Our press campaign featuring Captain Parks has been a great success and exceeded Manchester Airport's targets, we know that he'll work even harder on his small screen debut on ITV1 Granada and Channel 4 North."

The animated advert fronted by lovable pilot Captain Parks will be shown in-between popular TV shows such as Coronation Street, Deal or no Deal and This Morning.

To take advantage of this great value parking option or to see the advert please visit jetparks.co.uk

15th January 2010

ENDS

The five-times weekly flights will operate departing Manchester on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays; and departing Singapore on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

As a result, customers travelling between Singapore and Manchester will enjoy more flight choices, up from the existing three flights a week.

The new service means that Singapore Airlines customers can also enjoy direct services to Munich, Germany's third-largest city. Munich will be Singapore Airlines' second destination in Germany after Frankfurt, which is served with two daily flights, one of which carries on to New York.

Customers on-board the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft can also take delight in the latest movies, TV programmes and a large library of CDs on the newest version of KrisWorld, Singapore Airlines' award-winning inflight entertainment system available in all three classes. First Class seats are fitted with larger 23-inch screens, Business Class seats feature 15.4-inch screens and Economy Class 10.6-inch screens.

21 December 2009

With 20 million passengers traveling from the airport each year to more than 190 destinations, an army of up to 300 toilet attendants from Initial Air Services work day and night to ensure that the 1015 toilet bowls, 464 urinals and 1021 sinks are the cleanest in the UK.

The airport's Terminal 1 Concourse toilets and Terminal 2 Passenger Prep Area toilets we're rated and graded as 'five-star' on secret visits by judges from Loo of the Year Awards organisation, which is held in high esteem by the British Cleaning Council, enjoyEngland and the British Toilet Association (BTA)

Manchester Airport's Head of Customer Experience, Sarah Barrett, said: "The airport has won some very prestigious awards this year, but we are absolutely delighted to have earned this recognition because in order to meet the expectations of our customers, we must get the 'basics' right.

"The award extends to all of the cleaning staff - they are among the many unsung heroes of Manchester Airport."

Our passengers get through 43,930,000 metres of toilet roll each year - if 'unrolled' this would stretch the equivalent distance of flying Manchester to Singapore (10,938 km) four times - or - Manchester to New York (5,385 km) eight times
Linda Turner, Senior Operations Manager for Initial at Manchester Airport, said: "It is great to gain this recognition and it is a credit to all our attendants who literally have to deal with allsorts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year."

Our passengers use 15320 litres of soap each year - the equivalent amount in aviation fuel would be enough to fly a Boeing 737 from Manchester to Marrakesh and back (2,473 km each way).

Mike Bone, Managing Director of the Loo Of The Year Awards, said: "All of the 1500+ entries in the 2009 Awards were graded against over 100 strict criteria to recognise the best toilets throughout the UK."

He added: "The provision of first class, clean, hygienic and safe toilet facilities plays an integral part of ensuring a high level of customer services for all those who need 'somewhere to go' when away from home. Congratulations to all of our winners."

Our 300 toilet attendants use around 900 mops every year; however, the amount of 'elbow grease' used to keep the 1015 toilet bowls, 464 urinals and 1021 sinks in sparkling condition is, unfortunately, immeasurable.

8 December 2009

Based on strict criteria, the judging process looked specifically at sustainability efforts, customer satisfaction and innovative technology, the airports managed to combat competition from Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Leeds Bradford, Belfast City, Birmingham International, London Luton and Glasgow.

The British Travel Awards is the largest awards programme in the UK, created to recognise and reward the best companies in the travel industry. Voted for by consumers and travel professionals, Manchester was praised for its alignment towards sustainable travel, its efforts to minimise the impact of increased security, its investment in the customer experience and the vast range of products and services on offer.

Lorraine Barnes Burton, CEO at The British Travel Awards commented: "Travel industry professionals nominated more than 8 airports across the country in the initial stages of this year's British Travel Awards competition. All the nominees were invited to answer specific questions about their products and operations, to support the votes they had achieved, and Manchester was quickly shortlisted. The BTA Academy of judges felt that Manchester's entry clearly demonstrated its commitment to passengers whilst developing its offering and enhancing customer experience throughout the Airport - making it a clear winner for The British Travel Awards UK Airport of the Year for the second year running."

The award follows the unveiling of Manchester Airport's £80 million redevelopment across Terminals 1 and 2 earlier this year including £25 million to transform security.

Andrew Harrison, Commercial Director for Manchester Airport said, "To have received this highly prestigious title for the second year running is a huge accomplishment for Manchester Airport and highlights the hard work, dedication and successes achieved over the past twelve months.

"Manchester continues to invest in the customer experience, creating an unrivalled experience for its passengers. This year has seen the unveiling of over £80 million worth of investment at Manchester on our terminals hopefully setting us on the road to becoming one of the world's best airports. Winning this award tonight is a suitable reward for everyone who has been involved in that process."

Andrew Harrison attended the awards ceremony and received the award on behalf of Manchester Airport.

Team Heatwave - a.k.a. Manchester Airport Firemen Dean Jagger and Neil Gyllenship - today revealed the name of the 30-foot boat that they plan to row across the Atlantic Ocean in December, to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

At the official naming ceremony in the airport's North Fire Station "The Spirit of MA" was blessed by Reverend Kevin 'Rev Kev' Ball, before leaving to begin her journey to the starting line of the Atlantic Rowing Race 2009 in Tenerife.

Manchester Airport Fire Service's Watch Manager and Team Heatwave member, Neil Gllyenship, 34, said: "The naming of any seagoing vessel is an ancient tradition dating as far back as the ancient Greeks, Romans and Vikings. It is believed that doing so brought good luck and protected them from potential harm while at sea ensuring the safe passage of the boat."

He added: "We ran a competition giving colleagues across the airport site the chance to name the vessel and we had lots of great entries. We decided that 'The Spirit of MA' was a very appropriate name for our boat because of the tremendous amount of support that Manchester Airport and everyone who works here, has given us."

The airport threw its support behind Team Heatwave back in July when the fire fighters announced their plan to undertake the 3000-mile row to raise £100,000 for Claire House Children's Hospice, St Annes Hospice and children's-charity, Childflight.

The gruelling challenge begins on 6th December at Tenerife with the finish in Antigua set to be reached approximately 2 months later, in what is billed as 'the world's toughest rowing race'. It is the first time that Dean and Neil have ever rowed competitively and because the salty Atlantic seawater can cause extreme chaffing, the two-man Team Heatwave crew will complete the epic trek in the nude

Once aboard, they will eat boil in the bag food and drink seawater purified by a special on-board pump, as they complete their journey guided by GPS satellite technology, whilst keeping in contact with their families by satellite phone.

Manchester Airport Fire Service Fire-fighter Dean Jagger, 40, added: "It's an amazing, once in a lifetime challenge. It's going to be hard but in the true spirit in Manchester Airport we are going to give it our all and raise as much as we can for charity."

For further information or if you wish to make a donation please visit the official Team Heatwave website: www.teamheatwave.co.uk

-ENDS-

Manchester Airport has today unveiled its latest security trial as passengers in Terminal 2 are offered the chance to use "imaging technology".

This latest advance in aviation security has the potential to replace the familiar "pat down" searches including the need to remove coats, jackets, shoes and belts.

Imaging technology works by bouncing x-rays off an individual's skin to produce an outline image of the person's body which is then used to detect concealed, potentially dangerous objects.

This image is transmitted to a remote security officer who has no visual or verbal contact with the area where the imaging machine is located. The security officer viewing the image then electronically confirms if the passenger can proceed or whether a search is required.

"Our passengers tell us that they don't like being patted down by security staff at airports but they understand that it's a necessary part of keeping them safe", said Manchester Airport's Head of Customer Experience, Sarah Barrett.

"Imaging technology offers a potential alternative but we know that some people see it as controversial. That's why we're running a trial. We're being completely open about how imaging technology works so that passengers can tell us whether it is an acceptable alternative".

"The process is entirely anonymous. We can assure the public that contrary to popular misconception, imaging technology does not allow security staff to see passengers naked. The image produced is a black and white, ghost-like outline of an individual's body without any distinguishing features such as hair or facial features, making it impossible to recognise people but simple to detect concealed threats."

Images are transmitted to a standalone computer where they cannot be stored or captured after the passenger volunteer has passed through the imaging technology.

Before reaching the security search area, trained airport security officers will give passengers all the information about imaging technology before offering them a chance to participate in the trial after going through the traditional metal detector and "pat down" search process.

The voluntary trial has been designed with multiple privacy safeguards. The scanning equipment has been checked by radiation protection advisers from the Health Protection Agency.

The imaging technology trial operates in Terminal 2 only and will run for at least twelve months or until enough data is gathered to assess all aspects of the equipment.

This latest advance in aviation security has the potential to replace the familiar "pat down" searches including the need to remove coats, jackets, shoes and belts.

We regularly hear that passengers don't like to undergo a personal search by security staff but they understand that it's a necessary part of keeping them safe. Imaging technology offers a potential alternative.

How does it work?
Imaging technology works by bouncing x-rays off an individual's skin to produce an outline image of the person's body which is then used to detect concealed, potentially dangerous objects.

This image is transmitted to a remote security officer who has no visual or verbal contact with the area where the imaging machine is located. The security officer viewing the image then electronically confirms if the passenger can proceed or whether a search is required.

The process is entirely anonymous. We can assure you that contrary to popular misconception, imaging technology does not allow security staff to see you naked.

Will you be able to recognise me from my image?
The image produced is a black and white, ghost-like outline of an individual's body without any distinguishing features such as hair or facial features, making it impossible to recognise people but simple to detect concealed threats.

How can you guarantee my privacy?
Images are transmitted to a standalone computer where they cannot be stored or captured after the passenger volunteer has passed through the imaging technology.

All security staff involved in the operation of the imaging technology trial will be prohibited from carrying mobile phones or cameras. To enforce this, every member of staff will be searched before beginning their shift.

Is it safe?
The equipment is fully approved by the National Radiological Protection Board, which is part of the Health Protection Agency and is responsible for licensing all x-ray equipment in the UK.

Passing through this machine 20,000 times is the equivalent to one medical x-ray.

More Information

The main issue for the North West is the Manchester Hub, an area around Piccadilly Station. It's a major bottleneck on the rail network that negatively impacts on rail services for the whole of the North of England. It is a problem of national strategic importance that urgently needs a commitment to its resolution.

Roger Jones, Director of the North West Rail Campaign, said: "It will be impossible for the cities of the North to reach their economic potential if they continue to be hampered by rail services that, in the case of Liverpool to Manchester, are slower than they were one hundred years ago. The same problem occurs right across the transpennine route, hampering the economies of the growth engines of the region - Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Newcastle, Manchester, Warrington, Chester and Liverpool."

The Hub also hampers rail services running north to Preston, Cumbria and Scotland, and south to Cheshire, North Wales and the Midlands.

Network Rail is currently producing a report that will identify potential options to solve the problems of the Hub. This report is scheduled for release in early 2010 and it is considered vital that all the political parties understand the national importance of this project, and reflect that in their party manifestos.

Roger continues: "The development of High Speed Rail, is generating a lot of interest and is to be welcomed, but could be at least 20 years away before it reaches the North West. We need to ensure that there is investment in the Manchester Hub problem before then. It is impossible to consider a high speed, high quality rail service to Manchester and beyond, if access through the city continues to be inadequate."

The Campaign has released the Manchester Hub report today to ensure that the discussions about the issues affecting the region, and its possible solutions, start now.

ENDS

The main issue for the North West is the Manchester Hub, an area around Piccadilly Station. It's a major bottleneck on the rail network that negatively impacts on rail services for the whole of the North of England. It is a problem of national strategic importance that urgently needs a commitment to its resolution.

Roger Jones, Director of the North West Rail Campaign, said: "It will be impossible for the cities of the North to reach their economic potential if they continue to be hampered by rail services that, in the case of Liverpool to Manchester, are slower than they were one hundred years ago. The same problem occurs right across the transpennine route, hampering the economies of the growth engines of the region - Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Newcastle, Manchester, Warrington, Chester and Liverpool."

The Hub also hampers rail services running north to Preston, Cumbria and Scotland, and south to Cheshire, North Wales and the Midlands.

Network Rail is currently producing a report that will identify potential options to solve the problems of the Hub. This report is scheduled for release in early 2010 and it is considered vital that all the political parties understand the national importance of this project, and reflect that in their party manifestos.

Roger continues: "The development of High Speed Rail, is generating a lot of interest and is to be welcomed, but could be at least 20 years away before it reaches the North West. We need to ensure that there is investment in the Manchester Hub problem before then. It is impossible to consider a high speed, high quality rail service to Manchester and beyond, if access through the city continues to be inadequate."

The Campaign has released the Manchester Hub report today to ensure that the discussions about the issues affecting the region, and its possible solutions, start now.

ENDS

For more information or to speak to Roger Jones, Director of the North West Rail Campaign, contact John Greenway on 0161 489 8746

Notes

The North West Rail Campaign is a partnership of organisations across the North West, working to improve rail in the region in order to generate economic growth and to assist Government in delivering an effective railway network. Its members include Manchester Airport, the Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority, Merseytravel, Lancashire County Council and the North West Regional Development Agency.

More information on the campaign's aims and members is available here: http://www.nwrailcampaign.org

Today all 600 students of the academy heard from Andrew Cornish, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, and Marie Quayle, their new Principal, about the direction the new Academy will take.

Five winning students, one from each year group, were also given the chance to place items that represent enterprise and life in 2009 into a time capsule, that will next be opened in a hundred years.

Marie Quayle, Principal of the Academy, said: "Today marks a new beginning for this facility and its students. We want this to be a full time operation where students of all ages come and learn. There will be adult provision for the people of Wythenshawe in the evening as well as daytime learning. Our students need to be equipped with the skills to succeed in the workplace in the future and with the support of our partners, we will provide those opportunities."

The Enterprise Academy has a curriculum focus on business and enterprise and will provide 750 places for 11-16 year olds and post-16 provision from 2010. It opened in the existing building on September 1st but will move to a brand new £19m building in Sept 2010. The new Academy is based on Simonsway in Wythenshawe and replaces the former Parklands High School.

The Academy is sponsored by Manchester Airport with co-sponsorship from Willow Park Housing Trust, Manchester City Council and The Manchester College. Manchester has a combined Building Schools for the Future (BSF) and Academies programme with a £500m capital investment to rebuild or refurbish 33 schools, seven of which will be specialist Academies. All seven Academies will be up and running by 2010.

The Academies aim to provide pupils with the skills needed to make the most of future employment opportunities in the region's growth industries.

Andrew Cornish, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, who are the lead sponsors of the new Academy. He and executives from Manchester Airport have been heavily involved in the development of the new Academy and its future aims. He said: "Today is a new beginning for this institution. There are several partners including Willow Park Housing Trust and The Manchester College who will all be putting resources and effort into ensuring that this Academy delivers the right learning experience which will help these students develop their future careers."

Councillor Sheila Newman, Executive Member for Children's Services at Manchester City Council says: "The Enterprise Academy has been open just a few weeks, but already there is a real sense of excitement and anticipation for what the future holds. The time capsule is a wonderful way for students to create a lasting memory of what the Academy means to them and capture a snapshot of their lives. We look forward to seeing both students and teachers benefiting from the wonderful facilities and reaching their full potential."

2 October 2009

Manchester Airport has been named "airport of the year" at a prestigious national awards ceremony last night.

Voted for by travel agents and independent industry observers, the Travel Trade Gazette Awards are the industry's Oscars where Manchester Airport beat London Luton, Southampton and Birmingham Airports to win the coveted top prize.

The award follows the unveiling of Manchester Airport's £80 million redevelopment across Terminals 1 and 2 earlier this year including £25 million to transform security.

"We are extremely proud to have secured such a highly acclaimed award which is a real tribute to the efforts of the 19,000 people who work at Manchester Airport", said Andrew Cornish, Manchester Airport's Managing Director.

"Travel agents are this industry's experts so to receive this recognition from them is praise indeed. The airport of the year award recognises everyone's commitment to creating an unrivalled experience for our passengers across every aspect of their journey through the airport."

This year saw a record number of entries to the Travel Trade Gazette awards, which were held last night at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, meaning competition for the top categories was tougher than ever before.

Airports were judged on their facilities, customer service standards, investment, innovation, travel trade relations, business strategy, environmental performance and commitment to their local communities.

Andrew Cornish attended the awards ceremony and received the award on behalf of Manchester Airport.

ENDS

While working for Initial Cleaners at the airport, he's helped to recycle the weight of two whole aircraft loads full of waste during his time here and will retire in September.

The various activities at the Airport generate a lot of waste. Just as an example, Thomas Cook Airlines has recycled more than 1.5 tonnes of waste - or the equivalent of 100,000 33cl drinks cans - this Summer on all of its aircraft across the UK.

The airline has been the first to make use of the new recycling facility at Manchester Airport, which accepts bags of recyclable cabin waste collected from in-flight services. It now collects aluminum; plastic, paper and cardboard collectively into green waste sacks. These items are then separated into individual waste streams by the airport and are then sent on for recycling.

Over 1500 tonnes of waste is currently recycled each year including paper, cardboard, glass, wood, metal, green waste and lighting at Manchester Airport. The other partners and businesses on site are responsible for segregating it at source and depositing it into the correct recycling containers.

One of the main ways the airport will reduce the amount of waste landfilled in the future is by a significant increase in recycling, with a target of 50% by 2015 as well as by sending residual waste for treatment or recovery.

However increasing waste segregation at source requires the co-operation of all of the 19,000 staff and 20 million passengers here. John has been at the forefront of persuading everybody at the airport to increase their efforts and he'll be missed by everyone at Manchester Airport although he's promised to keep returning to make sure we're following his mantra.

Voted for by travel agents and independent industry observers, the Travel Trade Gazette Awards are the industry's Oscars where Manchester Airport beat London Luton, Southampton and Birmingham Airports to win the coveted top prize.

The award follows the unveiling of Manchester Airport's £80 million redevelopment across Terminals 1 and 2 earlier this year including £25 million to transform security.

"We are extremely proud to have secured such a highly acclaimed award which is a real tribute to the efforts of the 19,000 people who work at Manchester Airport", said Andrew Cornish, Manchester Airport's Managing Director.

"Travel agents are this industry's experts so to receive this recognition from them is praise indeed. The airport of the year award recognises everyone's commitment to creating an unrivalled experience for our passengers across every aspect of their journey through the airport."

This year saw a record number of entries to the Travel Trade Gazette awards, which were held last night at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, meaning competition for the top categories was tougher than ever before.

Airports were judged on their facilities, customer service standards, investment, innovation, travel trade relations, business strategy, environmental performance and commitment to their local communities.

Andrew Cornish attended the awards ceremony and received the award on behalf of Manchester Airport.

Ryanair, the World's favourite airline, today (23^rd Sept 09) reminded passengers to bring their passport when travelling on all Ryanair flights as from Thursday next (1^st Oct 09) Ryanair will no longer accept a driver's licence as a valid form of identification.
From Thursday 1^stOctober Ryanair passengers must be in possession of a valid passport or a government issued National Identity card which has been issued solely for the purpose of identification (i.e. driver's licence, electoral register cards etc are not included).
Passengers, who arrive at an airport without a valid form of identification, as advised and agreed to at the time of their booking, will not be able to travel.
Ryanair's Stephen McNamara said:

"Ryanair passengers must ensure that they have a valid form of identification to travel on Ryanair flights. Ryanair has moved to simplify our identification policy to avoid passenger confusion and from 1^stOctober all Ryanair passengers must hold a valid passport or avalid National Identity Card issued by the government of a European Economic Area (EEA) co untry.
"Passengers arriving at an airport with a driver's licence or any other forms of non-valid identification will be unable to travel on Ryanair flights"

American Airlines today announced it is adding a new service for passengers travelling between Manchester and New York (JFK). The new non-stop daily summer seasonal service is scheduled to begin operation on May 16th until September 30, 2010.

The new flight will complement American Airlines' existing year-round non-stop service from Manchester to Chicago (ORD), which operates up to seven times a week. In addition to services from the north of England, American also has a large operation from London's Heathrow with direct services to Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Raleigh/Durham, Boston, Miami, New York (JFK) and Chicago (ORD).

"These new routes further demonstrate American's commitment to the UK market and build upon our Manchester operation," said Craig Kreeger, American's Senior Vice President - International. "This will be our second scheduled service between Manchester and the USA and complements our Manchester - Chicago service which has been in operation for more than 20 years. We believe this new service to New York will prove equally popular providing a great connection not only to one of the world's most exciting cities but also to the many destinations we serve from JFK."

Andrew Cornish, Manchester Airport's Managing Director, said: "We're delighted that American Airlines have decided to launch their second long haul service between Manchester and North America. The service to New York JFK offers convenient connections across their US network including Boston, Miami, Orlando, Dallas, Los Angeles and San Diego. All of these destinations have significant demand from the North West region giving passengers an alternative oneworld partner to these markets. New York itself has significant business links with the region across many sectors and continues to be a popular leisure destination."

American will fly the new route with two-class (Business and Economy) Boeing 757-200 aircraft reconfigured for international operations. The service will offer a total of 182 seats, including 16 lie-flat Business Class seats.

In Business Class, passengers will benefit from American's innovative fully motorised lie-flat seats in a 2-2 configuration. The seats provide ultimate flexibility and passenger comfort, complete with drop down armrests, the ability to track forward 10 inches, interlocking tray tables and in-seat audio and video on demand.

In economy, passengers will experience American's newly-designed seat which heightens comfort by providing increased knee room. With its innovative cradling motion that better distributes weight, the recline angle of the seat back is similarly improved to give increased customer comfort. The cabin, in a 3-3 configuration, also benefits from new 17 inch LCD monitors and a digital media file server to improve in-flight audio and video entertainment quality.

On arrival at New York JFK, customers will experience American's dedicated $1.3 billion terminal which opened two years ago in 2007. Featuring two Admirals Club lounges and a US Customs and Immigration facility which can handle 1,600 customers per hour, the terminal is the largest single-airline terminal at JFK and is designed to streamline passengers' travel experiences through the airport.

As one of American's key hubs, JFK also provides passengers with the ability to conveniently connect to around 40 onward destinations across the Americas and Caribbean.

The provisional schedule for the new route is as follows:

Westbound from Manchester to New York JFK
(Summer seasonal service effective 16 May-30 September 2010):

Eastbound from New York JFK to Manchester
(Summer seasonal service effective 15 May-29 September 2010):

For full information about existing and future travel options to the US with American Airlines, the latest offers and to book, please contact reservations on 020 7365 0777 or visit www.aa.com.

This is the first time that the airport has entered the awards, which are recognised as the benchmark for excellence within the customer service industry across the UK. Now in its 10th year, the Awards have become a firm fixture on business calendars and are highly regarded across the industry.

The National Customer Service Awards received an unprecedented amount of entries this year - more than any other previous year - and Manchester Airport is up for three awards:

Best use of Technology Award - Manchester Airport - Security Improvements

Front Line Customer Service Team of the Year - Manchester Airport - Security Team

Young Customer Service Professional of the Year - Katy Gough, Manchester Airport Group External Affairs - for her work to produce a free airport guidebook for Autistic passengers and their families.

Manchester Airport will be up against organisations from other industries, not just aviation, and in becoming finalists is now able to benchmark itself against other leading customer focussed companies.

Sarah Barrett, Head of Customer Experience for Manchester Airport, commented: "It is great that we have become finalists in key areas of our customer service especially as it is the first year we have entered these awards.

"This announcement show a positive move towards us becoming a more customer focused business and that we are dedicated to providing first class service to our customers and it is brilliant that we have been recognised for this commitment."

Like the other finalists, Manchester Airport is now working hard to prepare its final presentations for each of the three awards before facing the panels of judges for each category in October.

The Awards programme culminates with a glittering Awards dinner & ceremony on the 9th December 2009, at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane in London.

First scheduled service to Madeira from Manchester; flights from just £49.99

Leading low fare airline, Jet2.com, has today (10th September) launched the North West region's first low cost service to the beautiful island of Madeira from Manchester Airport. The announcement marks the fifth new summer 2010 route for Manchester Airport and Jet2.com, with brand new services to Tunisia, Kos, Gran Canaria and Venice launched in recent weeks and 250 extra jobs created from the airlines expansion.

Flights to Madeira (Funchal) are now on sale starting from £49.99 one way including taxes, Flights start from 3rd May 2010, departing on Mondays throughout the summer season. Holidaymakers can also take advantage of holiday packages with Jet2holidays.com from £299* per person for a 7 night 3 star break.

An archipelago off the coast of Portugal, Madeira offers year-round sunshine as well as beautiful natural beaches, rugged coastlines, volcanic caves and breathtaking views. Ideal for water sport enthusiasts, the island's Atlantic location offers the perfect spot for diving, fishing, surfing, whale and dolphin spotting as well as one of Europe's first underwater nature reserves on the Garajau coast line. Holidaymakers can also take advantage of Madeira's capital, Funchal, which provides a host of shopping opportunities as well as bustling squares and streets with an abundance of great restaurants with fantastic local cuisine.

Ian Doubtfire, Managing Director at Jet2.com said, "Madeira is a stunning island and an absolutely fantastic summer holiday destination which I am sure will be extremely popular with our customers in the North West and beyond.

"We are the only airline to offer direct scheduled services to Madeira from Manchester meaning that this service will benefit people from across the north.

"At Jet2.com we are committed to offering our customers a wide range of holiday destinations, at friendly flight times from their local airport. We believe that this approach is why we have continued to see a great demand for our flights from Manchester while other airlines are pulling routes from the airport."

Andrew Harrison, Manchester Airport Commercial Director, said: "Jet2.com is going from strength to strength at Manchester Airport as they continue to expand their range of destinations with Maderia being the latest to go on sale. Madeira is an extremely popular holiday destination and will be a welcome addition to our summer schedule."

Duarte Ferreira , Director at Madeira Airport, said: "The launch of this new scheduled route is extremely positive news for Madeira and will open up this beautiful region to many more visitors. The creation of this brand new link, especially at a time when other operators are looking to cut costs and services, plays such an important role for tourism in the region, benefiting the local economy and people working and living on the island. We hope that this partnership with Jet2.com will result in the opening of several new routes from the UK in the near future. "

To book any of the new routes visit www.jet2.com

* Price includes transfers and accommodation at the 3 star Hotel Gorgulho BB, based on two people sharing. Departure 3rd May.
ENDS

Since opening its doors back in June 2009, Manchester Airport has seen the success of Jet Parks steadily increase.

The off site airport car park dedicated to giving passengers cheaper holiday parking has been hugely popular with holiday makers wanting their money to go further.

The 30,000th person that recently came through the doors of Jet Parks 2 was Mr Andy Oakes who was heading to Edinburgh with his partner Sharon Foster

Mr Oakes received fast pass security tickets, a bottle of bubbly and his car parking in Jet Parks free the next time he travels through.

Upon hearing the news Mr Oakes said: "This was a great surprise, when I first heard I had won a prize for being the 30,000 Jet Parks customer I was convinced it was a wind up! We're pleased we booked with Jet Parks we found it to be really cheap which you don't normally associate with car parking and we would definitely book with them again."

JetParks offers passengers another car parking option at the lowest cost, in a great location less than a mile away from the airport.

Passengers must pre-book and can do so via the booking hotline number or visiting JetParks.co.uk to find holiday parking prices starting at just £2.99 per day, saving them time and money. The service includes high frequency, free transfers to and from the airport site.

Andrew Harrison, Manchester Airport Commercial Director, said: "Manchester Airport is dedicated to providing passengers with a range of car parking options with prices to suit every budget. Although JetParks.co.uk is a new name for airport parking you can be assured that you are getting the service you would expect from our official airport car parking."

Located on Thornley Lane there are free bus transfers to and from the three terminal buildings every 15 minutes operated by the official Manchester Airport transfer team. The car parks are manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week offering you a total piece of mind.

The website has been designed by KMP Digitata and provides passengers with the all of the latest airport information and news, it has a dedicated booking hotline for those who would prefer to book by phone, which is designed to make the process of booking a car park space as straight-forward as possible

For more information or to book in for your holiday parking please visit www.jetparks.co.uk or call the booking hotline on 0871 200 3000.

- Ends -

The summer service to Lourdes commences on 30 April 2010 and will operate until 01 October 2010. bmibaby expects to carry over 9,000 passengers on the route over the summer months and flights will operate on Mondays and Fridays.

bmibaby is currently the only low cost carrier to operate flights from Manchester to Lourdes and prices will start from just £37.99 one way including taxes and charges.

Lying in the foot of the Pyrenees, Lourdes is a small market town famous for the apparitions of 'Our Lady of Lourdes' that are reported to have occurred in 1858 to Bernadette Soubirous. Lourdes attracts around 5 million tourists and pilgrims each year and has the second highest number of hotels in France, after Paris.

Crawford Rix, managing director, bmibaby, said:
"bmibaby is proud to introduce this new route to our flying programme from Manchester Airport. We are the only low cost carrier to offer flights from Manchester to Lourdes, so we are pleased we can offer the people of Manchester the chance to travel to an exciting new destination.

"Over the summer months we expect to carry an additional 9000 passengers on the new route. We will now offer nineteen fantastic European destinations from Manchester.

"We recently went on sale with eighteen other destinations for summer 2010 from Manchester Airport, to allow our customers to plan ahead and secure the best deals for next year."

Andrew Harrison, commercial director, Manchester Airport, said:
"It's great news that Lourdes has been added to our scheduled services list for next summer and that bmibaby is continuing to add new services and destinations from Manchester.
"Offering nineteen European destinations shows that bmibaby is committed to giving our passengers within the North West as much choice as possible for their travel requirements"

For more information visit www.bmibaby.com

Furthering its investment in Manchester, Jet2.com, has today (3rd September) announced the launch of a brand new service to Monastir in Tunisia, direct from Manchester Airport. The leading low-fare airline will be the only low-cost operator to offer direct scheduled flights to the popular African hotspot.
Jet2.com will offer the direct service from Manchester from 29 May 2010. Flights are now on sale starting from £69.99 one way including taxes. Travellers can also benefit from package holidays to Tunisia with Jet2holidays.com from as little as £259 per person for a 7 night 3 star holiday.
The launch comes as Jet2.com continues to invest in its bases across the north with recent announcements of brand new summer 2010 services creating of hundreds of jobs across the airline.
The new direct service to Africa's northern most tip offers a variety of attractions from desert safaris taking in famous film locations of Star Wars and the English Patient, camel trekking, Turkish baths and a host of archaeological wonders to cosmopolitan cafes and bustling souks. It also offers the ideal location for sport enthusiasts with first class golf courses and scuba diving spots, whilst shopaholics can hone their haggling skills in one of the many Souks.
Philip Meeson, boss at Jet2.com said, "We are committed to offering people in the north an unrivalled choice of routes to fantastic sunshine holiday destinations at friendly departure times. The launch of this new service to Tunisia means that people living in and around Manchester can get even further afield from their local airport.
"We are the only low fares airline to offer direct scheduled services to Tunisia, meaning that this service will benefit people from Manchester and surrounding areas.
"Tunisia is a fantastic addition to our services from Manchester Airport. With beautiful beaches, a rich history and year-round sunshine, I am confident that it will be an extremely popular summer holiday destination for us next year. What is more, being out of the Euro-zone, holidaymakers will be able to get even more value for money whilst they are away."
Anissa Ramoundi, Tunisian National Tourist Office, said: "This is fantastic news for Tunisia. It will provide a real boost to tourism in the country. At a time when some airlines are cancelling services, it is great to see Jet2.com investing in brand new destinations and we look forward to welcoming new visitors to the country."
Andrew Harrison, Manchester Airport Commercial Director said: "This is our first ever scheduled service into Monastir, which is great news for our passengers. The non euro zone is becoming increasingly popular with passengers who want to take advantage of the weak pound and I'm sure that this destination will be very popular."

To book any of the new routes visit www.jet2.com

The funky new area, located in Terminal 1's Real Food Company, is designed to help educate and entertain youngsters waiting for their flight. Making its debut in Manchester, it is the very first interactive Leapfrog play area in any airport in the world.

The airport has an ambition to influence and improve the customer experience here at Manchester, encouraging colleagues and service partners on site to implement changes for the benefit of our passengers.

Sarah Barrett, Head of Customer Experience Manchester Airport said: "It is great that Leapfrog decided to launch their only interactive play area at Manchester. It is set to be very popular with our younger passengers especially during the busy Summer season. We aim to make every customer's journey an easy one and if their children are kept occupied in a fun and educational way it eases the stress for their parents. We know that keeping children engaged is of importance to our passengers so as part of our commitment to meeting our customers needs we will also be opening a play area in Terminal 2."

Specialising in educational games, Leapfrog toys are created with childhood development in mind, not to mention making learning as much fun as possible. The 'Zippity' dance game is all about co-ordination, movement, colours and word association disguised as a 'dance-along' with Winnie the Pooh, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.

The 'Tag' books introduce reading to kids with an innovative twist. Accompanied by a magic pen that talks, children embark upon a storybook journey with Scooby-Doo and chums with puzzles and games to play along the way. There is also the Leapster, a learning console with no end of possibilities, all expertly fitted in an especially designed play area by Octopos and Boston Interiors.

"Expanding into airports, particularly Manchester is a very exciting opportunity for Leapfrog," according to Andrew Fogarty, Leapfrog Trade Marketing Manager, "The actual area is very well suited to a travel environment and the games will certainly occupy the young and the young at heart! We look forward to its success and the chance to reach a wider audience."

Manchester Airport was chosen for the trial and if the area proves a success, it will be rolled out nationwide. "Our aim is make everyone's airport experience a pleasant one," said SSP UK Operations Manager, Rob Allen, "And if the little ones are happy, Mum and Dad are happy and then so are we."

ENDS

28 August 2009

Despite fears of strike action over the bank holiday weekend Manchester Airport is confident that there will be no disruptions to passengers travelling through and should come to the airport as normal.

Passenger numbers are slightly down compared with the August bank holiday in 2008, which is industry wide due to the current climate, nevertheless 284,000 travelers equates to a busy airport which has recently had an £80 million overhaul across all three terminals.

Manchester Airport's Managing Director, Andrew Cornish said: "We are committed to making thing as easy and hassle free for passengers as possible. We have new security facilities, additional staff, more shops than ever before and more things for our passengers to experience, like our new spa that opened earlier this year."

There have been several additions to the airport experience for the Summer helping to make the passenger journey easy and more fun, including the social media tool Twitter, where passengers can source live flight information. Our followers can now 'tweet' us their flight number and in return they are sent a direct message every time the status of their flight changes.

Users need to follow @manairport and the airport will automatically follow them back allowing the airport to continue to update them on the status of their flight.

Other additions include 'My Airport Guide' a personalised online guide to help passengers who might not have flown from Manchester previously, which gives advice on how to get through the airport experience with ease.

The top destinations for the last Summer bank holiday of the year remains as Tenerife and the Canary Islands in Spain. Although non-Euro zone sun spots like Turkey and Egypt have gained increasing popularity as passengers aim to make their money go further.

The airport is urging passengers to prepare for the security procedure before they leave home to allow for a quick and stress free experience.

Passengers can check with their airline or visit the Manchester Airport website to understand the security restrictions in advance so they are well prepared.

27th August 2009

In addition to the savings for customers, another application that makes the airport's usage site stand out from other corporate users is that followers of Manchester will also be able to get live flight data via a 'tweet' or message. Live flight data is already available through the website but passengers or visitors can now send a direct message or DM containing their flight number and will be sent a DM every time the status of their flight changes.

Users need to follow @manairport and the airport will automatically follow them back allowing the airport to continue to update them on the status of their flight.

Another incentive for people to follow the airport is a voucher offer for use in the new terminal format for Summer 2009. By 'retweeting' a voucher available to download today, everyone who refers a friend to follow the airport will be entered into a monthly prize draw to win £500 of airport shopping vouchers, free holiday car parking and overnight accommodation at a nearby hotel.

Manchester Airport has undergone an £80 million investment in preparation for the Summer season this year, which officially opened at the start of Summer and is currently being put through its paces during the busiest time of the year for the UK's largest regional airport. This is the first time that Manchester Airport has used online media as part of its marketing activities and for the first time sees the airport using social media tools to engage with its customers.

Andrew Harrison, Commercial Director for Manchester Airport, said: "In the current economic climate people are being much more savvy about how they spend their money but they still see their summer holiday as essential. We have created the retail vouchers to help our customers make their hard earned money go much further."

In last year's 'Splash out' retail campaign only six offers were available; this year thanks to close co-operation with business partners, there are 39 offers in the Value Added Travel voucher booklet and over 45 online via Twitter and the Manchester Airport website.

Mr Harrison added: "The re-launched retail facilities means customers can now benefit from many more brands at low, tax-free prices. In addition, by using the money-saving vouchers in the booklets and online, there are also additional substantial discounts on food and drink to big savings on high street brands."

The stream also gives the airport a chance to communicate with an audience from a wide age group within its target market. Ofcom's recent Communications Market Report 2009 found the proportion of 25 to 34-year-olds who said they had a social networking site profile grew by six percentage points in the space of a year to 46%. Figures had also risen in the 35 to 54-year-old age group, with 35% having a profile.

Obviously these are the age groups who might be looking to book holidays or are more likely to use our facilities. It's also given the airport a way of communicating directly with passengers either in the terminals, on their way to the terminals or just considering the holiday season. Many users are able to update their status and receive messages via their mobile phones.

To follow the official Manchester Airport on Twitter please search for Twitter.com/manairport or go to http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/Campaigns/twitter/voucher

Today Ryanair has announced that from 1 October 2009 it will close 9 of its routes to.from Manchester. These are Barcelona (Girona), Bremen, Brussels (Charleroi), Cagliari, Dusseldorf (Weeze), Frankfurt (Hahn), Marseille, Milan (Bergamo) and Shannon.

Ryanair has said passengers affected by the changes would be e-mailed and, "provided with a full refund, or the alternative of flying to some destinations" from East Midlands, Leeds Bradford and Liverpool. For further information passengers should contact Ryanair.

A Manchester Airport spokesperson said: "Not withstanding all of our investment in Manchester Airport including during the current recession, we don't believe that charges as low as £3 per passenger are unreasonable. Clearly, Ryanair do and that's regrettable.

"We've consistently cut our charges for the last 15 years even when faced with increased costs such as security.

"Passengers will still be able to travel directly to the majority of the destinations affected by choosing other airlines".

ENDS

'My Airport Guide' is a totally new web-based service and a first of its kind in the industry. It's a free, easy-to-use and unique downloadable guide that is tailored to every passenger's particular trip. To create your own personalised itinerary, customers simply log on to the Manchester Airport website and answer a few short questions, this enables the Airport to collate that information and provide passengers with relevant and precise information about their time at the airport.

This takes visitors through every stage of the passenger journey, from how to get to the airport to what to do when they have arrived. Passengers can use My Airport Guide to find out what catering facilities, shops and services are available in the terminal they are flying from.

There are even onward travel links and an optional destination guide, which can be included with relevant details about the destination they are flying directly to. The guide also includes important security information on the current hand baggage and liquids restrictions to ensure that passengers are fully prepared before they depart for the airport.

The guide has been designed for anyone visiting the airport, whether they are a departing or arriving passenger or simply picking up or dropping off at the airport.

Andrew Harrison, Commercial Director, commented "We've listened to our customers and we know they want their whole journey, from the moment they leave home to when they finally board the plane to involve the minimum of fuss. Out of this has come 'My Airport Guide' which makes this so much easier. It's just the start for us - an ongoing process to improve the passenger experience from start to finish".

'My Airport Guide' is part of Manchester Airport's drive to continually improve the passenger journey through the Manchester Airport.

It will also help highlight the huge £80 million investment that has taken place over the last two years with the sole objective of making every trip a pleasure. From web-based pre-booking services like car parking, to following a personalised airport guide; from express check-in and enhanced security to amazing shopping and catering; from the outward journey to the return - every effort has been made to meet the individual needs of every passenger. All twenty million of them!

The website enables passengers to research and browse world destinations on an interactive map before they fly, providing tips and information along the way.

The multi-million pound retail and catering investment across the three terminals has created one of the UK's largest and most prestigious airport shopping environments. New stores include impressive names like Kurt Geiger, Monsoon, Dixons, Fat Face and SoHo Coffee House complementing existing shops like Biza and Attitude. There's even a spa for passengers - B Relax - offering massage and beauty treatments to get passengers in the holiday mood. And many retailers who are acutely aware of the economic climate are offering super discounts in-store this Summer with a special promotional voucher book 'Value Added Travel' available free around the airport.

In addition, there are many special offers at the airport including last minute Summer holiday deals and the popular 'Costa Nothing' competition where holidaymakers can win back the cost of their holiday in a free, monthly prize draw.

Altogether, these improvements will help change the way passengers experience, interact and use Manchester Airport now and in the future.

Passengers wishing to try out the guide can find it via the home page at www.manchesterairport.co.uk

ENDS

The new Manchester Enterprise Academy is still a few months from its initial opening, yet opportunities to boost local skills and potential employment in Wythenshawe are already emerging thanks to a new on-site Construction Skills Initiative run by Balfour Beatty Construction.

The construction company has developed an on-site learning hub alongside the actual construction process to provide training for local people to learn vital new skills to become trades people and secure future employment - which is also of great benefit to the UK construction industry that is currently facing a severe skills shortage despite the economic downturn.

Backed by lead-sponsor, Manchester Airport, the Manchester Enterprise Academy (MEA) is an exciting £19m project transforming Parklands High School in Woodhouse Park, Wythenshawe into a modern, specialist status education Academy.

The MEA will open in September 2009 based in the existing Parklands High School buildings for its first year, before moving into brand new purpose built facilities - currently under construction - on the same site in September 2010.

Andrew Cornish, Manchester Airport's Managing Director, says: "As lead sponsor of the Manchester Enterprise Academy, Manchester Airport is a keen advocate of all of the innovate ways in which in project seeks to educate local people to meet the needs of the region's businesses and help them in securing employment."

It is anticipated that over the 10-year life span of the on-site Balfour Beatty Construction hub, 600 construction workers will receive skill training. So far this hub has enabled bricklaying apprentices from the partner college, The Manchester College, to be interviewed by the appropriate sub-contractor as they finish their full-time course and are available for work when the sub-contractor is starting on site.

Tony Ellender, Training Manager for Balfour Beatty Construction at the site, said: "Despite the current state of the economy, there are still several high profile construction sites in the North West that will require skilled workers in the future. Skills will be of essential importance to ensuring that the UK remains competitive in the global marketplace and we can ensure that local people are able to take the skills they learn here in Wythenshawe and use them in their future career."

One of those to benefit from the scheme has been Shaun Day, who having come to the hub to learn about brickwork was then able to secure a work experience assignment on the St Paul's project. His work there ensured he secured an apprenticeship with the construction firm, Marlborough. Shaun is also continuing to study for an NVQ at The Manchester College. Several other users of the hub are beginning to secure employment as a direct result of the skills they have learnt on site.

Councillor Sue Murphy, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Employment and Skills says: "This is a wonderful initiative and will provide a supply of local skilled trades people for building projects not just in Wythenshawe, but across Manchester as a whole. As a City Council, we are doing everything we can to create new jobs and support our residents during a period of recession with our Helping Hands initiative and so we are always delighted to support any programmes that promote skills and training."

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Originally launched in May 2009, Jet2.com experienced an overwhelming demand for the Tel Aviv route from holidaymakers and the north's Jewish community, all keen to take advance of this direct northern link.

With flights now on sale from just £99.99 one way including taxes, Jet2.com is offering the lowest ever fares and an unbeatable direct service to the popular city. Flights will depart from Manchester Airport on Monday and Thursdays at 10am and return from Tel Aviv 6.15pm. Jet2holidays.com is also offering package holidays to Tel Aviv with choices of 5* accommodation.

Pini Shani, Deputy Director Marketing Administration & Director Overseas Department, Israel Ministry of Tourism commented: "It is fantastic news that the Jet2.com Tel Aviv flights will be available throughout 2010 and the increased frequency will be a massive appeal to business and leisure travellers alike from the north.

"This welcome investment into tourism to Israel will undoubtedly be of benefit to the consumer and strengthen links between the north of England and Tel Aviv."

Tel Aviv is a thriving and cosmopolitan beach city that makes an exciting holiday destination. With buzzing nightlife, cafe culture, shopping, beautiful beach and a historic old town, the city offers a sophisticated break suitable for all.
Boss of Jet2.com, Philip Meeson said: "Jet2.com is the only airline operator to offer a direct service to Tel Aviv from the north of England and the route has proved to be an important gateway for the north's Jewish community to one of Israel's largest cities.

"We listened to our customers and have increased the frequency of the route for 2010 - we are in an unrivalled position to offer both the lowest ever fares and fastest service into Israel. Tel Aviv is an extremely popular destination and we are confident there will be a huge demand for this service."

For more information, please visit www.jet2.com and www.jet2holidays.com

28 July 2009

Manchester Airport has launched a public consultation to seek views on a new noise action plan that is designed to manage the impact of noise from its operations.

Across the country, noise action plans are being prepared for all the main sources of noise including major roads, railways, airports and urban conurbations with more than 250,000 residents.

A team of Environmental Health Officers from neighbouring boroughs have been working with the airport's environment experts for two years to prepare the consultation document which includes new proposals as well as summarising many existing policies.

These measures include a proposal to reduce the daytime threshold above which noise fines are issued as well as increasing the penalty for breaching the noise limit.

Manchester Airport already has a wide range of noise management and mitigation measures in place including restrictions on the operation of the noisiest aircraft at night, a requirement for departing aircraft to fly along routes which take them away, where possible, from more densely populated areas, some of the strictest noise penalties of any airport in the UK, through to offering assistance with the cost of insulating homes against the effects of aircraft noise.

Commenting on the consultation, Manchester Airport's Head of Environment, Dr Tim Walmsley, said: "Our approach to managing the environmental impact of our operation is about striking the right balance between reducing the negative effects whilst maximising the economic and social benefits that the airport brings to the region.

"The noise action plan contains over 50 policies that are designed to manage the noise impact of our operations but we are keen to hear from local people about what they think we are doing right or what we could be doing better in order to achieve the right balance".

The airport's noise action plan consultation began on 1 July 2009 and closes on 21 October 2009. Staff from the environment and community relations teams will be holding six specially arranged outreach surgeries in local communities during the consultation period so that residents are able to discuss the details in person.

Additionally, over 200 copies of the consultation document are available in local libraries across Greater Manchester and parts of Cheshire. Copies can also be downloaded from www.manchesterairport.co.uk along with details of the outreach surgeries.

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14 July 2009

Football legends Bryan Robson and Mike Summerbee today encouraged people to sign up as supporters of Manchester's bid to become a World Cup host city in 2018.

On the back of Manchester's bid document landing at the FA, Manchester City FC and Manchester United FC joined forces with Manchester City Council, Salford City Council, Trafford Borough Council, Marketing Manchester, GMPTE and Manchester Airport to kick off the city's bid.

The ambitious bid is unusual compared to most cities submissions because Manchester has two world class stadiums to attract qualifiers, play offs, quarter finals and the possibility of a semi-final on Manchester soil.

Former Manchester United and England Captain Bryan Robson OBE said: "As a player and as a fan, nothing gets you excited like a World Cup. To host one in Manchester would be amazing. We have some of the most passionate and knowledgeable fans anywhere in the world and you would struggle to find a more welcoming city for any supporter from any country. It's impossible to think of an English World Cup without games in one of the most famous footballing cities in the world."

Garry Cook, Chief Executive Officer of Manchester City FC, said: "The city of Manchester has become synonymous with football in England and throughout the world and Manchester City FC is proud to support the city's bid to become a host venue for the 2018 World Cup. Both the city and the club have a great deal of experience in hosting world class international sporting fixtures and football fans the world over could expect the very warmest of welcomes from the staff and fans of Manchester City."

The launch was triggered by the bid document submission to the FA and prior to a Football Association delegation visit Manchester on the 23rd July to inspect facilities including the City of Manchester Stadium and Old Trafford. These would both be used as venues and potential fanzone sites, which along with the city's world class accommodation offer would give the event a real festival flavour.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "Manchester is a global and passionate football city with a successful record of hosting major sporting events.

"We believe we have impeccable credentials to welcome the World Cup and the fans of all nations it will attract. I'm sure a great many people who live in and around Manchester, or have connections with the city, will be as excited as I am at the idea of one of sport's greatest spectacles coming here.

"Manchester has a strong, low risk case and a very cost effective offer to support the World Cup - we already have great infrastructure, but public support is also key to demonstrate our fanatical football spirit. I'd encourage anyone who would like to see the World Cup in Manchester to back our bid and register on the website. Your pledge can give us the edge.

"Not only will the World Cup boost the city's economy it will also energise the city region. Manchester will be a beacon on the globe and once again prove it can not only deliver world class events but exceed all expectations."

Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester, the agency charged with promoting the city on a national and international stage, said: "Bringing an event of this magnitude to the city cannot be underestimated. Munich was one of the host cities in 2006 and it saw an economic benefit of almost £80 million. That's an incredible amount of money, and when you couple it with the long-term benefits, like an increased profile on the world stage, it's an opportunity that we cannot afford to miss."

Andrew Cornish, Manchester Airport Managing Director, said: "We are delighted to support Manchester's bid to be a host city for the 2018 World Cup. Manchester has the right infrastructure with which to deliver a successful tournament with world-class stadiums, a wealth of experience in hosting successful international sporting events and an international airport serving over 200 destinations. Events like this are incredibly important to the Airport and the City, with the Champions League Final this year being the most recent example in attracting visitors and investment to the region. Good transport links undoubtedly play an important role and we will work with our partners on the bid to ensure that the travelling public has the best possible experience should Manchester be successful."

England is bidding to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup and 15 cities, including Manchester, are vying for the prize of hosting games if the nation is successful. The FA will decide in December which cities will be named as hosts within its bid.

Greater Manchester residents and everyone who has links with the city are being encouraged to register their support via a special pledge website at www.manchesterworldsport.com

A new airport experience was officially launched at Manchester Airport today aiming to put the fun back into flying and bring about a return to the holiday experience beginning at the airport.

A huge £50 million overhaul of Terminal 1, the flagship terminal at Manchester, has taken place over the last two years that has seen 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 the passenger's journey easier. The scheme was designed following the completion of an in-depth study into passengers' state of mind as they travelled through the Airport.

It began with expert psychologists monitoring the mental workload of travellers, scrutinising their body language and monitoring their comments and conversations to help build up a picture of the emotions passengers experience from arriving at the Airport to stepping on board the plane. It identified stress points in the car parks, at check-in and security that passengers were keen to get over with quickly so they could relax and get into the holiday spirit.

The results were then used by the airport in their decision to redesign the new Terminal in partnership with Milligan, a leading retail property developer. With the process beginning in 2005, those designs have undergone several changes because of the security regime changing such as with the liquids ban in 2006 and the Glasgow terror attack in 2007. The tightened security climate saw Manchester abolishing all "before security" shops in its terminals.

Andrew Cornish, Managing Director for Manchester Airport, said: "Our terminal redesigns have had to withstand the test of time with the liquid ban and the terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport meaning we had to take them back to the drawing board several times, always putting our customers safety and security at the forefront of our designs. However with the work finished in Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 set to follow shortly after, the future looks bright. We've seen retail growth outstrip the high street over recent years and many of our passengers have enjoyed the offering here at Manchester previously but we wanted to significantly invest in it and now we will wait to see whether those changes have an effect."

The new airside retail and catering provision on the departures level in Terminal 1 gives the airport a retail frontage of around 550 linear metres, which is considerably larger than the pedestrian zones of King Street and Market Street in Manchester city centre respectively.

On top of the changes launched today, a new Emirates lounge, boarding area and a range of gates are to be added to the terminal, in preparation for Airbus A380 flights which are expected to begin operating from Manchester within the next two years.

Retailers have spent nearly £15m on fit out creating 52 units while two of the lounge fit outs will cost over £3.5m. New stores on site include Kurt Geiger, Fat Face, Mango, Dixons, Starbucks, SoHo Coffee House and Monsoon, which will compliment the existing offering from Biza and Attitude that were launched last year. A new offering from Be Relax will even offer a spa for passengers use with massages and beauty treatments available.

Terminal 1 boasts many new offers for passengers covering a range of budgets. Passengers are able to pull up to a dedicated VIP enclosure outside Terminal 1 and hand over their car keys to a team of specially trained valet parkers before jetting off on holiday or business. And those concerned about queue times will benefit from a £14 million 14-lane security area that boats an average queuing time of just eight minutes.

Opened in 1962 by the Duke of Edinburgh, the terminal traditionally held 2.5million people but now handles over 11 million passengers a year. In a dynamic and competitive marketplace, the airport company wanted to design a modern new facility fit for the 21st Century on the existing space. Manchester Airport flies to over 190 destinations and 65 tour operators utilise the airport facility.

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With over 20 million people passing through on an annual basis, an airport presents a readily available audience with which to communicate to green issues. Manchester Airport is looking to capitalise on this by launching environmental learning zones within its terminals. Professor Callum Thomas from the Centre for Air Transport and the Environment at Manchester Metropolitan University launched the first zone today.

The airport has a commitment to be carbon neutral for its ground operations to be reached by 2015 and has constructed its learning zones so passengers who use the airport can hear about the progress being made on this UK first position.

2009 has already been a year of several firsts for the airport on the environment front with the unveiling of recycling super zones, the opening of the low carbon Concorde Centre, the launch of carbon offsetting on the website and the opening of the third rail platform at the airport station.

Perhaps one of the most significant achievements was the awarding of the Carbon Trust Standard in February. The achievement saw the airport being the first airport in the UK to meet the target and saw independent verification of the airport's carbon reduction measures. This work has subsequently continued with the airport signing its service partners up to its Community Carbon Pledge, which seeks their support in attaining the carbon neutral target and asking them to demonstrate a reduction in carbon emissions. There are several hundred partners on site.

Further projects have focused on adding electric Smart Cars to the fleet and support to bus services serving the airport, which assists in bringing down the carbon emissions associated with travel. The airport was allocated several prototype electric cars as part of a Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform-funded partnership with the airport group sourcing a proportion of its electricity from renewable sources.

The forecast growth of the aviation sector has to be accompanied by stringent measures to manage and limit the environmental impacts and the airport is taking leading strides to tackle those impacts with its work on the environment, on ground transport and with its work in the community and particularly in the education sector. The zones will be a welcome addition to that education programme. Education already takes a front seat in the work taking place at both the Aviation Viewing Park and in the Community Relations department, which works with several schools in the area.

Tim Walmsley, Head of Environment at Manchester Airport, said: "The issue of aviation and the environment is one that in general still splits the opinion of the public, the decision makers and the media. However, we've done much here at Manchester and across our Group of airports to mitigate the environmental impacts of aviation using leading edge research at the Centre for Air Transport and the Environment at Manchester Metropolitan University. These zones will give us an opportunity to spread the knowledge of our work to our passengers and staff who share those concerns about the environment."
The airport has always put the importance of research at the forefront of all of its work on the environment and continues to work with the nationally focussed Omega programme, another centre of education based in Manchester leading on research into aviation sustainability issues in the UK.
The zone is located in the airport's station on the route between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

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Building work is well underway on the site of the brand new £19m MEA in Wythenshawe and to celebrate progress to date, a number of pupils, along with Principal Designate Marie Quayle, will be signing and dating one of the beams at the new building.

The Academy, which is one of seven across the city and one of the first to open, will provide 750 places for 11-16 year olds and post 16 provision for 120 students from 2010.

It will open in September 2009 and be based in the existing Parklands High School buildings for its first year, before moving into brand new purpose built facilities on the same site in September 2010.

Sponsored by Manchester Airport with co-sponsorship from Willow Park Housing Trust, Manchester City Council and The Manchester College,
MEA will be a totally new way of educating young people to meet the learning needs of the city's businesses.

Marie Quayle, Principal Designate of MEA says: "The beam signing ceremony is another milestone bringing us closer to the opening of what will be a wonderful resource, not only for the students, but for parents and the community of Wythenshawe as a whole. "

Andrew Cornish, Manchester Airport's Managing Director, says: "At Manchester Airport, we believe that we have a responsibility to the community's schools, colleges, teachers and students. Throughout every level of our business, we have already been actively involved in the project; helping to manage the design of the new school building, recruiting staff and offering support to the development of the Academy and its curriculum. We believe it's set for a bright new future, having secured 'Academy' status and having seen first hand the work that has been going on behind the scenes in preparation for the new school year in September."

The Academy will differ from existing schools in that sponsors will work alongside teachers to design learning and assessment materials. All students will have personal mentors as well as round the clock access to materials and support to encourage 'anytime, anywhere learning.'

The site will be open from 7am to 10pm and will become the hub of the community giving parents, families and the whole community the opportunity to benefit from the facilities.

Councillor Sheila Newman, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Children's Services, says: "The MEA will be a new and exciting place to learn and will help ensure that our children and young people gain the skills and qualifications demanded by employers. The Academy will be a huge boost for Wythenshawe and will contribute to the ongoing regeneration of the area as a whole."

For more information about Manchester City Council visit www.manchester.gov.uk

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The work of the Community Relations team at Manchester Airport was honoured with two 'Big Tick' awards at the BITC North West's 2009 Awards Gala Dinner held at The Monastery Manchester in Gorton.

The Big Ticks are the UK's most influential independent, peer-assessed corporate responsibility awards, recognising and celebrating those companies who have shown innovation, creativity and a sustained commitment to corporate responsibility.

Manchester Airport was awarded the 'Merrill Lynch Education Award' for its 'Education into Employment' programme. The airport is already the lead sponsor of Parklands High School, shortly to become the Manchester Enterprise Academy. In addition to supporting Parklands, the airport also supports three other Wythenshawe secondary schools and one in Knutsford. The airport's programme of activity seeks to link its employees with the six key local schools and leverage additional support though our contractors and service partners on site.

Manchester Airport's Managing Director, Andrew Cornish, said; "Over the last twelve months we have continued our work with our neighbouring communities and schools. Our intentions remain the same, to add value and create opportunity. Our social responsibility activities are at the core of our business and we embrace the opportunities that they provide to develop our own staff."

The team was also successful with the 'Power in Partnership Award' - for companies, who collaborate to positively impact communities - was also awarded to Manchester Airport on behalf of BW3 (the Business Working With Wythenshawe) group. Formed in 2002, BW3 is an alliance of companies who are based in Wythenshawe or who have a special affinity to the area. BW3 is an independent employer led group of organisations chaired by Manchester Airport and aims to support the social and economic regeneration of Wythenshawe through community involvement activities.

Raksha Pattni, Regional Director, Business in the Community, said: "I would like to congratulate Manchester Airport for the work which has led to them being recognised in two award categories. The Airport's commitment to and understanding of the importance of developing opportunities in its local community is particularly impressive.

"Now more than ever, at a time of reduced income and spending power and diminishing trust in business, businesses need to demonstrate that to be a leading company is to be a responsible one. The Big Tick winners in the North West are certainly flying the flag for responsible business here, and I hope will prove valuable inspiration for others following in their footsteps."

The team was also nominated for the 'The Lancaster University Management School Award for Leadership for Sustainability' in recognition of exceptional leadership contributing to a more sustainable society. This came from their work with the Airport Community Network. The aim being to improve the opportunities and experiences offered to local people to give them the chance to access careers.

15 June 09

The development of Manchester Airport into an international gateway continues apace, this month attracting airport CEOs from all over Europe to Manchester for the annual assembly and congress of ACI EUROPE, the voice of Europe's airports.

Running from the 15th to the 17th June, the ACI EUROPE Annual General Assembly, Congress and Exhibition, is firmly established as the most important date for air transport Chief Executives and industry leaders. Addressing the most important issues facing the aviation industry, the event typically attracts hundreds of senior executives from airports and airlines as well as national and European-level legislators and regulators, consultants, suppliers and the media.

At this year's event, topics under discussion will include the long-term effects of the current recession and improving the current public image of aviation. The event will also see the launch of Airport Carbon Accreditation, the first international, independently-verified, institutionally-endorsed accreditation programme for the measuring, reporting and reducing carbon emissions from airport operations. This follows up on the landmark resolution at last year's ACI EUROPE assembly in Paris, when airports committed to reducing their carbon emissions with the ultimate goal of carbon neutrality, something MAG is already well on its way to.

Olivier Jankovec, Director General of ACI EUROPE, said: "Given its long standing commitment on environmental issues, it is only fitting that our annual assembly and congress is hosted this year by the Manchester Airport Group, especially as this will see the launch of Airport Carbon Accreditation. This landmark initiative is a shift from airports focusing on purely local environmental impact through individual action to global impact through collective action. The fact that we are launching it in the midst of the current crisis only reflects the strength of the European airport community's commitment to sustainability."

The event will also see environmental experts Peter Lockley from WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) and Steve Howard from The Climate Group visit Manchester to examine whether the aviation sector is moving fast enough to meet carbon neutrality - a subject that is close to the heart of the Manchester Airports Group, with its own carbon neutral ambition.

Geoff Muirhead, Chief Executive of MAG, said: "We're delighted to host the event in Manchester and to bring senior executives and government ministers to debate the issues affecting aviation.. Aviation has been key in the development of the city and the region's economy and we want to continue to maximize the benefits aviation brings while mitigating its impacts. Our partnership with the ACI EUROPE allows us to speak to a wider audience and the new Airport Carbon Accreditation scheme will allow airports like ours to continue to develop in a balanced and sustainable manner."

The event takes place at Manchester Central, formerly the G-MEX Exhibition Centre; and will also include the award ceremony for the 2009 ACI EUROPE Best Airport Awards.

The Omega Partnership, a research partnership based at Manchester Metropolitan University, will also be hosting a supporting workshop about the implications of climate change for the future development of airports.

The full programme can be viewed at http://www.aci-europe-events.com/annual-general-assembly/conference/conference-programme.php

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Manchester, June 2nd 2009: Manchester Airport today announced the launch of Recycle Zone within their newly refurbished airside terminals to further bolster the airport's already successful recycling initiatives. The largest airport outside of London, the aim of the zones will be to recycle an additional 200 tonnes of waste from the terminals per year.

The 'Recycle Zones', which are part of a collaboration between the airport, Coca-Cola Enterprises Ltd. and WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) will give the 20 million passengers that travel through the airport yearly, the opportunity to recycle their plastic bottles and paper whilst, literally on the move.

The airport has adopted the innovative scheme driven by Coca-Cola Enterprises and WRAP as part of an ongoing roll-out of recycling projects across the airport.

The first airport to launch the zones, Manchester Airport marks an important step in a three year vision of Coca-Cola Enterprises to create several high profile, high footfall Recycle Zones by 2011. Other locations will include major tourist destinations, shopping centres, and other international travel hubs such as Edinburgh Airport, which will launch in the coming months. The scheme intends to build on the consumers interest in recycling at home and when on the move.

Tim Walmsley, Head of Environment at Manchester Airport, says: "This is one measure in a range that we're rolling out to deal with the thousands of tonnes of waste we collect on site here at Manchester. We have always been enormously proactive in promoting the recycling of materials throughout the airport, working alongside the waste and cleaning contractors on site, and we are sure that as the first airport to adopt this initiative, it will be a successful collaboration. The scheme assists us in helping to improve the customer experience for our passengers and we are confident they will be making full use of these facilities."

The 125 bins that have been specially designed by Wybone to meet the airport's requirements, and will be located in the terminals and departure gates to capture the 1 million plastic bottles and paper waste at the point of consumption. Manchester Airport sees the scheme as not only encouraging people to recycle their empties but also to remind them to think about recycling as part of their everyday life.

Erika Coghlan, VP, Coca-Cola Enterprises, said: "We are delighted to launch the first airport Recycle Zone at Manchester. Not only will this help save the environment, but the innovative way in which the airport has chosen to adopt the scheme will also help educate the travellers about recycling when they leave the house. People have increased their recycling at home and at work, but it's less convenient to recycle when you're 'on the go'. Recycle Zones make it easy for people to choose to recycle precisely when they need to - just when they've finished their drink."

Marcus Gover, Director of Market Development at WRAP, said: "WRAP's Recycle Now campaign has helped to make recycling an important part of our daily lives. As one of the many recycling initiatives that has been adopted by Manchester Airport, including a scheme to recycle the 350 tonnes of Liquid Ban packaging received by the airport per year, this scheme will help recycle the waste of the 22 million passengers within the terminals, making them ideal places to locate Recycle Zones. We hope to divert a high proportion of waste from landfill with this scheme."

In partnership with recycling charity, Recoup, Recycle Zone offers up to 10 days technical consultancy to each participating location to enable them to adopt best practice for collection and recycling for drinks bottles and paper waste.

Manchester Airport, MIDAS and Marketing Manchester partnership event to promote global business initiative for city and region

Manchester's position as a central hub for global business and an international gateway to the UK will be championed at a major event attended by international business leaders at Manchester Airport.

The all-day event at Manchester Airport's Concorde Conference Centre on Wednesday, 17th June is being staged jointly by Manchester Airport, Marketing Manchester and MIDAS, Manchester's inward investment agency, supported by funding from the North West Regional Development Agency's (NWDA) through its Air Services Development Fund (ASDF).

The event will be attended by international business leaders, and Manchester and North West civic and corporate executives, and is designed to position Manchester and the wider region as the best location for business, to showcase the existing and future international air routes and celebrate the unveiling of the £80m investment in Manchester Airport.

Three panel-led discussions chaired by Brian Groom, UK business and economic editor of The Financial Times, will highlight and promote opportunities for trade and investment in the city and region over the next decade.

The breakfast session will focus on global long haul opportunities and panellists include a senior representative from Emirates airline, Geoff Muirhead, chief executive of Manchester Airport Group, and Barbara Spicer, chief executive of Salford City Council.

The lunchtime panel is focused on the USA and features Andrew Cornish, managing director of Manchester Airport, Sir Howard Bernstein, chief executive of Manchester City Council, Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester, and Colin Sinclair, chief executive of MIDAS. A senior executive from American Airlines is also due to join the lunchtime panel.

The afternoon session will debate the Indian market and includes a senior representative of Indian international airline Jet Airways, Andrew Harrison, commercial director at Manchester Airport and Tim Newns, director of business development at MIDAS.

Andrew Cornish, managing director of Manchester Airport, said: "The international theme of this key event allows us to showcase Manchester Airport's status as a global gateway to Northern England and to promote our case for being the best airport for business."

Andrew Stokes, chief executive of Marketing Manchester, said: "This gathering represents an outstanding opportunity to boost the regional economy by attracting more corporate and leisure business to Manchester and further afield."

Colin Sinclair, chief executive of MIDAS, said: "This is a landmark event in our ongoing campaign to show the world that Manchester and indeed the North West is the right choice for businesses worldwide, in support of the development of strategic air routes into and out of Manchester Airport."

The day of events concludes with a gala dinner in the Concorde hangar to be attended by the business leaders and VIPs from the Manchester city region, elsewhere in the UK and overseas and senior executives of airlines and key partner organisations. Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council and Geoff Muirhead will host the dinner and Nick Brooks-Sykes, Head of Tourism Marketing at NWDA will make an address.

Real Time Tomography baggage screening systems also promises to reduce airport delays and improve efficiency

Passengers travelling through Manchester Airport may soon feel the benefit of improvements to airport security thanks to new high-speed passenger baggage screening X-ray technology being trialled on site. The Airport has a commitment to making air travel as easy as possible for passengers and has been testing an advanced security screening technology called Real Time Tomography, or RTT, since the end of 2008.

Manchester Airport has invested close to £2 million in a combined development project with Rapiscan Systems, a leading UK-based supplier of security inspection systems whose engineering and manufacturing facilities are located in Congleton, Cheshire, and Salfords in Surrey. The most recent phase of this joint effort has been the deployment for testing purposes of Rapiscan's RTT hold baggage security screening system. RTT is designed to generate extremely high-resolution 3-D X-ray images of passenger baggage at far higher speeds and greater reliability than any other technology currently available. As a result, RTT promises to significantly improve detection of potential threats to aviation security, reduce delays in baggage handling, increase the efficiency of airport operations and improve the overall experience of airport customers.

Mike Fazackerley, Customer Service Director for Manchester Airport, said: "The RTT has the potential to dramatically improve the security process. Safety and security aligned to customer service present major challenges to our business, yet with this major investment into our security process, we continue to reflect how important we place safety in our operations. The ongoing security issues in the UK present serious cost implications for our business. Any opportunity to invest in technology that enables us to meet security regulations, while making the passenger experience simpler, is something we're willing to experiment with and has been evidenced in this partnership."

The RTT system works unlike other systems on the marketplace. Thanks to its innovative fixed gantry design, the RTT captures images of baggage at several times the speed of existing baggage screening technologies with higher resolution and lower anticipated maintenance costs. RTT is also designed to lower the airport's overall cost of ownership because it can be integrated with an airport's high-speed baggage handling system and can accommodate significant increases in baggage handling volumes as airport usage grows over time.

Terry Whittock, Rapiscan Systems Managing Director for Europe, the Middle East and Asia, comments: "Passenger safety is of course the main imperative behind our development of the RTT system. Airport operators are challenged to deliver passengers and their baggage to their destination both safely and quickly. Recently, increased security measures have caused delays as suspect bags have had to be manually inspected or re-scanned. The installation of the RTT system will mean that the travelling public will be safer and far less likely to be hindered by the delays caused by misplaced baggage and current hold baggage screening processes."

The Airport is expecting upwards of 20,000 additional passengers to fly to show their team some support on the 26 and 27 May when they play FC Barcelona.

This equates to 44 additional flights and will give a substantial boost to overall passenger numbers for the period, plus significant increases in retail sales.

Extra staff will be on shift to help ensure the Manchester United fans' journey through the airport is as easy as possible.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Andrew Cornish said: "The whole airport is gearing up for a very busy period with extra volume of football flights and staff and senior managers across the business have been working very hard operationally. It's obviously great news for Manchester United that they've reached the final but it's also excellent news for Manchester Airport and for the region as a whole.

"We are expecting to be very busy as the fans fly in and out and we will, of course, bring in extra staff to help speed the fans through as efficiently as possible. We will be working closely with the airlines over the next days to meet the demand for flights and are committed to making the fans' journey as simple and enjoyable as possible."

Passengers are being reminded to be aware of the security restrictions before they check-in to ensure they make their flight on time.

The restrictions mean that passengers are only allowed to take 100 mls or less of liquids, pastes and gels in containers through security and these have to be declared separately from hand luggage in a one-litre capacity, re-sealable plastic bag.

For further information on the security restrictions please visit www.manchesterairport.co.uk.

- Ends -

Three new appointments for Enterprise Academy

Three senior appointments have been made at one of Manchester's first academies, which will open in Wythenshawe this September.

The £19m Manchester Enterprise Academy (MEA) in Woodhouse Park is a totally new way of educating young people to meet the learning needs of the city's businesses.

Nikki Birch, from Manchester, has been appointed as Vice Principal - Deep Learning, Teresa Johnson, also from Manchester has been appointed Vice Principal - Extended Academy and Community and Damian McGuire from Stockport has been appointed as Corporate Services Manager.

Nikki, who is married with a three year old daughter, has worked in various educational roles in the Midlands including Head of Sixth Form at Dame Elizabeth Cadbury Technology College in Birmingham, Deputy Head at Stourport High School and Sixth Form Centre in Worcestershire, rated outstanding by OFSTED, and most recently, Consultant Deputy Head, training other deputies in Worcestershire about the curriculum and timetabling.

In her new role at MEA, Nikki will raise standards and opportunities open to students through developing a personalised curriculum tailored to the needs of the students, and have a clear focus on learning and teaching.

She says: "It's a real privilege to be able to work with the Wythenshawe community. One of our key aims as the Manchester Enterprise Academy is to provide a caring, disciplined environment where learning can flourish and be enjoyed by all."

Former Deputy Head at Barr's Hill School and Community College in Coventry, Teresa's role was to develop Barr's Hill as a full service extended school and work with the local authority to help extend all schools in Coventry. Teresa, who has two grown up children, has held a number of senior roles including National Director of the 'Share' parental involvement programme as well as Director of Vocational Education and Assistant Head at Shenley Court School and Sixth Form Centre in Birmingham.

Teresa's role at the Enterprise Academy will see her taking responsibility for developing full service provision including out of hours learning, support and involvement of parents including family learning and the transition from primary school.

She says: "I am very excited about my appointment and am really looking forward to getting to know the staff, students, parents, primary schools and the wider community. I am also eagerly anticipating working together with our community partners to provide a range of exciting opportunities for people of all ages in Wythenshawe."

Damian McGuire, a chartered accountant, joins the Enterprise Academy following a number of finance roles in various industries, most notably Finance Director of Independent Pharmacy Care Centres plc which was sold to Lloyds Pharmacy in 2007.

As Corporate Services Manager, he will not only be responsible for the financial aspects of the Academy, but also all of the non-educational support facilities and helping the Principal and other members of the Academy team with its strategic development.

Damian, who is married with a six months old son, says: "I am looking forward to the new challenges ahead for the Academy and I am so pleased to be involved and, in particular, in providing opportunities for young people, similar to those I benefited from."

Marie Quayle, Principal Designate of the MEA says of the appointments: "I am delighted to have Nikki, Teresa and Damian on board. We are working as a team to ensure that MEA provides the best opportunity for students, staff and the community. Learning and business is at the heart of all we do. Since their appointments, a tremendous amount of work has been done to plan for the personalised curriculum, extended Academy and community links and financial planning to ensure we get the best for all involved."

Councillor Sheila Newman, Executive Member Children's Services, Manchester City Council, says: "This is a trio of highly experienced staff who I am confident will play an active role in supporting the Academy's ethos, aims and objectives."

Andrew Cornish, Manchester Airport's Managing Director, says: "Our growth will bring greater opportunities with one of our challenges being to match the demands of aviation with the skills and abilities of local people. This is a major opportunity to support the regeneration of local communities and being lead sponsor of the Academy allows us to be involved in a different type of learning experience for a new generation."

The academy, which is one of seven across the city, will provide 750 places for 11-16 year olds and post 16 provision for 120 students from 2010.

It will be based in the existing Parklands High School buildings for its first year, before moving into brand new purpose built facilities on the same site in September 2010.

The MEA is sponsored by Manchester Airport with co-sponsorship from Willow Park Housing Trust, Manchester City Council and The Manchester College.

For more information see Manchester City Council

This change follows a decline in new cases of Swine Flu since the peak on 26 April (with no new cases since 09 May) and takes into account information and advice from a variety of sources, including the UK Health Protection Agency.

The operators of the flights between Manchester and the popular Mexican resort of Cancun - Thomas Cook Airlines and Thomson Airways/First Choice - have provided the following information:

• Thomson advise: "Normal booking conditions apply for travel from 1 July 2009 onwards." Passengers due to travel before this date, should call 0871 231 4691 for further advice and information.
• Thomas Cook advise: "All Mexican (Cancun) flights and holidays up to and including 21st May remain cancelled. For travel from 22nd May and beyond, normal booking conditions apply on all Cancun holidays."

All passengers travelling to Mexico should contact their airline or travel agent for confirmation before departure.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office also advises that travellers to an area of the world affected by swine flu should ensure they have access to adequate healthcare and insurance before travelling. They should be aware of the flu-like symptoms associated with swine flu and consult a doctor immediately if they exhibit these symptoms.

British nationals should continue to follow local advice on precautions to take to avoid exposure to the influenza. Any further FCO updates will be available on the FCO website.

SWINE FLU STATEMENT

We advise any passengers scheduled to be travelling to Cancun from Manchester over the coming days to get in touch with their airline for further updates. 8 flights a week operate between Manchester and Cancun.

As a precaution, a Thomas Cook flight (TCX234L) which arrived at 07:30 this morning from Cancun was met by staff from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) after a passenger reported feeling unwell. The passenger was later well enough to be allowed home where they will be further assessed and monitored by their GP in association with the HPA.

As a precautionary measure, other passengers and aircrew on the flight were given information on influenza and advised to telephone their GPs or NHS Direct if they should begin to display flu-like symptoms after returning home. Returning passengers to Manchester who are concerned should speak to their GP.

ENDS

All Thomson Customers,

As you may be aware, from the media coverage, there have been high number of cases reported in Mexico of "Swine Influenza" resulting in 103 confirmed fatalities, in light of this information, assessed by the global medical experts, the decision was taken by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to increase the Pandemic Threat Alert to level 4 with regard to the recent outbreak. Consequently the FCO (Foreign and Commonwealth Office) reviewed their travel advice to Mexico during the night. The advice now advises against all but essential travel to Mexico.

The decisions taken by the respective authorities of both WHO and FCO are beyond our control, and as a consequence it is with great regret that Thomson have to cancel your holiday to Cancun this morning. Whilst we do appreciate that this news may be a great disappointment to you, we hope you will also understand that your personal safety and well-being are our foremost priority.

Due to this change to your travel itinerary, Thomson will offer you the following options:-

• to amend your holiday to a different destination / date ( availability permitting) at nil amendment charge.
• to cancel your holiday and receive a full refund at nil cancellation charge.
• To discuss these options further, please call the dedicated Thomson helpline on 0871 231 5704

which will be available from 0800 until 2200.

Once again, please accept our sincere apologies for having to cancel your holiday this morning and we hope you will travel with us very soon.


Yours faithfully,

Tim Williamson

Customer Director
Thomson

This process is similar to many of the trolley schemes at supermarkets. Change machines will be provided at all convenient locations around the airport site allowing passengers to use the enhanced trolleys with ease.

Mike Fazackerley, Customer Services Director for Manchester Airport, said: "We did a lot of research into the needs of our passengers looking into the options delivered at other airports. We want to provide passengers with world-class facilities but we also want to keep our operation moving as efficiently as possible. Using this refundable coin-lock system allows passengers to take advantage of improved trolleys. This is a worldwide trend and increasingly, leading airports are introducing similar schemes."

The airport rejected the idea of asking passengers to pay for trolleys as other airports have, after working with the Manchester Airport Consultative Committee.

Customer Services staff have been finding many trolleys left around the airport and this move will ensure that the trolleys are returned to central locations, ready for use by the next passenger. The coinlocks will be introduced by the 1st May at Manchester Airport.

The minibus service will commence on April 11th and will operate daily, every 20-minutes from 7:30am until 6:00pm, plugging the current gap between the public transport hub at the airport (The Station) and the Aviation Viewing Park 2 miles away.

The service will also incorporate a staff and visitor transfer shuttle to the busy cargo centre and business park located at the West of the airport, which includes businesses such as Thomas Cook. This will alleviate parking problems (and costs), traffic congestion and further encourage the use of public transport generally.

Ticketing will be simple at just £1:00 per journey for staff shuttles and £1:50 (£1:00 concessions) per journey for Aviation Viewing Park shuttles. In all cases payment to the driver is accepted. Individual season tickets and corporate tickets will be available soon offering even greater value.

Peter Rosenfeld (BusyBus Managing Director) says: "We are all delighted with being chosen to provide this valuable and much needed service in partnership with Manchester Airport. It is heart-warming in these so-called times of doom & gloom to sign a long-term contract that delivers such fantastic benefits to both staff and visitors. Everyone involved has worked extremely hard and from here on it can only go one way - supersonic!"

The airport already has a successful network of bus services serving its core staff catchment area, with around 10% of staff now using a bus to travel to work and this new service will add to those services.

Bob Longworth (Ground Transport Manager for Manchester Airport), welcomed the new service saying: "The Aviation Viewing Park and the new Concorde Visitor Centre are popular attractions for the airport with people coming from far and wide to see the magnificent Concorde and watch the aircraft that take off from our two runways. What's been missing has been a service that enables visitors to access public transport options to the park and as we're really proud of the new centre, with it only being opened in February of this year, I want to ensure that as many people as possible have access to see the history of aviation at Manchester Airport."

The Airport has been encouraging an innovative new network of 'demand responsive' services, such as the BusyBus service, which is tailored to the needs of smaller markets, such as those in Cheshire where the Viewing Park sits. The Airport also maintains an ambition to provide more feeder services to existing rail and coach networks ensuring that passengers and staff who travel to the airport have viable public transport options in the future.

By adding this service, the aim is to ensure that the Aviation Viewing Park is more accessible to a wider range of aviation enthusiasts. The Park's star attraction is G-BOAC, otherwise known as "Alpha Charlie". Once the flagship of the British Airways Concorde fleet, it's the only Concorde on display anywhere in the World with a fully accessible flight deck. Other aircraft on show include the forward section of a DC-10, a Trident and an AVRO RJX.

More information on booking a tour of Concorde

-ends-

These Easter holidaymakers will join the 200,000 people who have already travelled through Manchester Airport since the schools broke up last weekend.

Passenger numbers are slightly down compared to Easter 2008 when around 210,000 travelled over the bank holiday weekend although last minute bookings have boosted this year's figures.

Tenerife and the Canary Islands in Spain remain favourite destinations despite the weak pound, although non-Euro zone sun spots like Morocco and Egypt have gained popularity as passengers try to make their money go further. All inclusive package holidays are also proving popular with families who are particularly keen to fix the total cost of their holiday.

Weekend city breaks have also seen increased bookings over the Easter period with destinations including Toulouse, Amsterdam and Dublin proving popular with passengers looking for a low cost escape.

Manchester Airport's Managing Director Andrew Cornish explained: "Easter is always a popular time for people to get away and this year is no exception with people seemingly looking to escape the economic doom and gloom albeit whilst seeking to get great value trips.

"This will be the first bank holiday that the £15m we've invested in redeveloping and extending security search areas will be put to the test as hundreds of thousands of people look to get away this Easter. We're confident that passengers will really experience the benefits.

The top five destinations for Easter 2009 are:

Tenerife
Alicante
Egypt
Chicago
Morocco.

The North West Rail Campaign and the Liberal Democrats have agreed to work on a manifesto looking at future solutions to the rail capacity issue in the North West of England.

At a meeting hosted by John Leech MP for Withington, Campaign Director Roger Jones met with Norman Baker, the Shadow Secretary for Transport, along with Mark Hunter MP for Cheadle, Paul Rowen MP for Rochdale, Andrew Stunell MP for Hazel Grove and John Pugh MP for Southport, to discuss common solutions to rail issues in the North West.

Commenting on the agreement, Roger Jones said: "The issue of investment in rail in the north west is one that is shared across the parties, hence our decision to meet with the Liberal Democrats to identify areas where we can proceed together. If we can deliver workable, affordable solutions then we can bring forward the type of rail network capable of servicing and supporting the growing needs of England's Northwest."

The Campaign will shortly be meeting Conservative and Labour MPs to examine the same issues.

Established in 2003, the Campaign aims to secure extra rail capacity in specific areas of the North West to unlock bottlenecks across the network and improve services to the major urban areas by influencing Government, the European Union and the railway industry to endorse direct investment into the region's rail network.

The North West Rail Campaign is supported by several local authorities in the region, as well as Manchester Airport, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the North West Business Leadership Team, North West Regional Development Agency, the region's two Passenger Transport Executives and the Regional Leader's Forum; 4NW, Lancashire County Council, Warrington Borough Council, Halton Borough Council and Allerdale Borough Council amongst others.

More information on the campaign can be found at www.nwrailcampaign.org

ENDS

Carbon offsetting is a mechanism for compensating for carbon emissions that are currently unavoidable by paying for equivalent emissions savings or reductions to be made elsewhere. Many of the airlines using Manchester already offer this option to passengers. The new scheme will complement this and enable passengers to offset their flights via a link on the website.

The Airport Group has committed to tackling the emissions generated by its operation and already has a carbon neutral target for the energy used in its buildings, airfield and car parks and the fuel used in its vehicles.

This new initiative delivers the commitment set out in the Airport's Masterplan to 2030 to encourage passengers to use an offset scheme for their flights and is linked to the core target for the Airport to be carbon neutral by 2015.

Penny Coates, the executive board member with responsibility for the environment at the Manchester Airports Group, said: "We're taking a proactive role within the airline industry to make CO2 emission reductions already, but as a Group we want to support the work of our airline partners and help encourage passengers to use a carbon off-set scheme and so we now offer the facility though all of our websites right across our Group."

A study undertaken by the Omega partnership, which is based at Manchester Metropolitan University, and is developing knowledge to support long term sustainability solutions for the aviation industry in the UK surveyed passengers at Manchester Airport and showed that, whilst many had heard of carbon offsetting, less than a tenth had then gone onto investigate the options.

The study found that given that offset schemes are currently voluntary, if a greater uptake is to be achieved then much more needs to be done to raise awareness of the existence and benefits of such schemes. To assist with this ambition, the airport will be monitoring usage of the links and reporting take up on an annual basis.

As well as offering passengers the opportunity to offset, the airport already offsets its own business travel as well. Business travel is an essential part of aviation and today's modern global economy but the airport minimises its own business travel and annually offsets the CO2 emissions that this travel produces.

While many of the airlines who fly out of Manchester, such as Cathay Pacific and Virgin, already offer the facility to offset; the airport is also linking up with Carbon Clear, a carbon management company that helps businesses and individuals to reduce their carbon impact.

Mark Chadwick, CEO of Carbon Clear, said: "I am delighted that the Manchester Airports Group is taking a proactive lead in managing and reducing its carbon impact. As well as reducing its own operational emissions, it is taking an industry leading role in helping inform its passenger community to do the same using high quality carbon credits that make a very real contribution to climate change and the communities they serve."

Just one of the projects supported by Carbon Clear has been the use of biomass that has displaced the need for coal in a jute manufacturing mill in India. By using residues from the plant as a replacement for coal, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions have subsequently been reduced.

Britain's carbon offset industry is currently estimated to be worth £50 million while the expected push towards a worldwide low carbon economy has left experts predicting that the carbon offsetting industry could eventually be worth £18 billion in the global marketplace.

The ability to offset the carbon cost of your flight is now available at:
http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/carbonoffset

23rd March 2009

Manchester Airport will later today present its annual awards to the airlines, which have consistently observed the preferred flight paths during take-off, helping to reduce noise for residents living close to the airport.

Aer Lingus will be presented with the top award for Best Overall Performance and Air China will receive Best Performance by a New Operator at the annual ceremony, taking place in the new Concorde visitors centre at the airport's Aviation Viewing Park.

This year's ceremony will also see the introduction of a new Special Award that recognises airlines and industry partners who have demonstrated environmental initiatives. The Special Award winners, plus the winners of each of the eight categories, will all receive a glass award presented by Manchester Airport's Operations Director, Tim McDermott.

Tim said of the awards "My congratulations goes to all the Airlines and their pilots who have improved to meet this important environmental standard, in 2001, just five of the airlines operating at Manchester met the 95% target. That number today is now 68 of our airlines. This shows that these annual awards bring real benefits to our neighbouring community"

Thomas Cook Airlines picked up one of the Special Awards for its involvement in implementing Continuous Descent Approach (CDA) and Frank Pullman Managing Director at Thomas Cook Airlines, said: "We are delighted to win this award as we have been working hard to promote CDAs to our flight crew since their introduction at Manchester. CDAs enable pilots to complete their approach to land in a much more efficient way that benefits the local community as less noise is produced and less fuel is used, which in turn reduces environmental pollution.

"CDAs, along with accurate track-keeping on departure, form an integral part of Thomas Cook's responsible approach at Manchester Airport to minimise the impact of its flights on the local environment"

The awards were introduced eight years ago to recognise and reward airlines that fly at least 95% of their departures within tightly defined 'tracks' known as preferred noise routes. Manchester remains the only airport to present these types of awards and is seen as innovative in its approach to the environment for doing so.
Alan Melrose MBE who is the leader of EUROCONTROL's pan-European Airport Collaborative Environmental Management initiate Said of the event 'The partnership between Manchester Airport Group, the Airlines and National Air Traffic Services to improve aircraft environmental performance is now a European model. Manchester Airport's long-standing relationship with the local community in developing its environmental mitigation efforts is also widely emulated now"
" I like to think of this inclusive and holistic approach as the "Manchester Way"

Over 30 airline representatives from as far away as China and North America will be in attendance, joined by a number of service partners and environmental health officers from the local councils.
The winners for 2008 are:

Special Award - BMI Baby, Thomas Cook Airlines, British Airways, NATS and EuroControl (In recognition for their achievement of control decent approach (CDA) at Manchester.)
Best Overall Performance - Aer Lingus
Best Performance New Operator - Air China
Best Transatlantic - Air Transat
Best Long Haul - Etihad Airways
Best Charter - Thomson Airways
Best UK & Eire - Aer Lingus
Best Europe - Lufthansa CityLine
Best Cargo - Great Wall Airlines

ENDS

11th March 09

Today, Manchester Airport unveiled its most environmentally friendly building to house an aviation icon, Concorde.

The 2574 sq m Concorde Visitor Centre, which will display the former British Airways flagship Concorde G-BOAC, will be opened today by British Airways Chief Executive, Willie Walsh and Manchester Airport Group's Chief Executive, Geoff Muirhead CBE, at an exclusive event in the Aviation Viewing Park.

Commenting on the opening, Willie Walsh, British Airways Chief Executive, said: "Manchester Airport was one of 60 high profile locations worldwide that originally bid to give a home to a retiring Concorde. It gives me great pleasure to see the culmination of that bid today in this magnificent new exhibition area and visitor centre."

Construction of the Concorde Visitor Centre began in December 2008 to protect the historic and much-loved aircraft from the elements and has taken the effort of a variety of partners to bring it on line in a short space of time. Many of the people at today's event will represent companies and organisations involved in the construction of the centre along with former Concorde pilots, crew and engineers.

Tim Orchard, one of the guests, jointly holds the Concorde World Record time for piloting the aircraft from New York to London in 2 hours, 52 minutes on 7 February 1996.

Tim will be joining many former colleagues to share memories of the aircraft in flight with those involved in providing Concorde G-BOAC with a modern new home at Manchester Airport.

"The Concorde Visitor Centre is the first new building on the airport site to comply with strict construction standards as part of Manchester Airport's commitment to having carbon neutral operations by 2015," said Geoff Muirhead CBE. "The new building is not only home to a unique piece of aviation history but it is also an important visual statement of our future low carbon ambitions".

Since the launch of Manchester Airport's environment plan in 2006, all designers are tasked to ensure that new buildings are carbon efficient, which is why the Concorde Visitor Centre includes emerging technologies such as biomass heating fuelled by willow grown on the airport site. The hangar also utilises rainwater harvesting and solar panels to capture the sun's energy and heat the water system.

The new visitor centre also includes a corporate hospitality suite, an education centre for local schools and a glass-walled visitor restaurant alongside Concorde, with views of Manchester Airport's runways.

In future, Concorde guides will be able to escort visitors on a variety of tours of this iconic aircraft now inside its new home. For school parties, they are able to provide information and literature that links directly to the National Curriculum, making the facility a unique way of ensuring that the magic of the Concorde fleet is passed on to new generations of international travellers.

Concorde G-BOAC went on display in the open air in April 2004 after arriving at Manchester on October 31, 2003. Her final flight - from Heathrow -followed nearly three decades of service transporting passengers around the world. The aircraft had even earned its place in the record books when it flew at 1,488 mph, the highest recorded ground speed for a commercial airliner.

ENDS

For more information, contact the Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or press.office@manairport.co.uk. Images are available on request.

Wildlife experts have teamed up to help build Cheshire's otters a safer home at Manchester Airport this week, as part of the Cheshire region Otter Biodiversity Action Plan.

Although otter numbers are starting to increase in the region since their decline in the 1970s, they still rely on the helping hands of conservationists to make up for the lack of natural breeding sites.

Road casualties and pesticides are amongst a long list of factors, which have contributed to the otters' demise over the years, and although Cheshire has a wealth of waterways, the otter population is still lower than would be expected. The species is currently listed in the International Union for the Conservation of Natures' (IUCN) Red Book as 'vulnerable to extinction'.

Now, thanks to a partnership containing Manchester Airport, Cheshire Wildlife Trust, the Riparian Mammal BAP Group, Cheshire Region Biodiversity Partnership and the Forestry Commission who have worked on the artificial holt, the future seems brighter for the vulnerable species.

The team spent a day building the artificial otter holt on the edge of the airport to support the species as it passes through the area, both as a resting place and as a possible breeding area. The holt has been sited at a secret location away from human disturbance and will be monitored on a regular basis.

The otter holt was constructed using timber supplied by the Forestry Commission, who also helped to build it.

The underground chamber holt will be hardly visible from the ground, but will be monitored for activity under the artificial holt monitoring regime.

Charlotte Harris, Director of Conservation, for Cheshire Wildlife Trust, says:

"The Cheshire Wildlife Trust fully support this project - it helps to deliver our vision of a Living Landscape for Cheshire. Otters are a vulnerable species and this project creates extra habitat where otters can thrive and then hopefully disperse.

"In time, and with the right support, otters may once again become a more common sight in our rivers.

The initial idea for the otter holt came from the Manchester Airport, who as part of their commitment to support biodiversity around the airport, wanted to provide a resting opportunity for otters in the area. The airport identified the site along help from the Environment Agency, and supplied the contractor and materials. Members of the Riparian Mammal BAP collected the materials and carried out the construction.

The European otter is part of the same family as badgers, weasels, stoats, pine marten and mink.

They are about the size of a small dog, with a mainly brown coat and a lighter brown bib. They have a high pitched squeak when calling to other otters and a loud angry chatter when threatening.

An otter's diet mainly consists of fish but can also include birds, insects, frogs, crustaceans and sometimes other small mammals.

To find out more about the Cheshire Region Otter Biodiversity Action Plan visit www.cheshire-biodiversity.org.uk

The Carbon Trust was set-up in 2001 by the government as an independent company to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy by working with organisations to reduce their emissions. The Carbon Trust Standard certifies that an organisation has genuinely reduced its carbon footprint and is committed to making further reductions year on year.

An independent third-party made the assessment based on evidence provided by the airport - and to-date, just 66 organisations have met the stringent assessment criteria, emphasising the magnitude of this award.

Andrew Cornish, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said: "The Standard is a way of demonstrating to stakeholders that you are doing what you claim and that real reductions in carbon dioxide are being made.

"The money saved from energy efficiency measures feeds back into the business and reduces our operating costs, which is very important in a highly competitive industry like ours, where we are under increasing pressure to lower charges to our customers."

He added: "As we currently face a tough economic period, this is particularly important because it enables the airport to meet its environmental commitments, whilst continuing to be a driver of investment for the North West region."

Manchester Airport and the three other airports that make up the Manchester Airports Group (East Midlands, Bournemouth and Humberside) all have a carbon neutral commitment. The Airport Group has made dealing with the issue of carbon integral to its business strategy and will be the first airport group in the UK to reach this target by 2015.

Harry Morrison, General Manager of the Carbon Trust Standard, commented: "Being certified with the Carbon Trust Standard is proof an organisation has taken genuine action to reduce their direct impact on climate change by cutting carbon emissions. We congratulate Manchester Airport on this achievement.

"Both businesses and consumers share a desire for one, credible way to prove an organisation has not only measured, but actually reduced their carbon emissions year-on-year without the use of offsetting. The Carbon Trust Standard provides this credibility and we encourage more organisations to follow Manchester Airport in making this commitment."

ENDS

12 February 2009

Building work begins this week on the site of a brand new £19m leading educational academy in Wythenshawe.

Manchester Enterprise Academy (MEA), which is due to open in Woodhouse Park this September, will be a totally new way of educating young people to meet the learning needs of the city's (/ region's businesses and help them in securing employment).

The academy, which is one of seven across the city and one of the first to open, will provide 750 places for 11-16 year olds and post 16 provision for 120 students from 2010.

It will open in September 2009 and be based in the existing Parklands High School buildings for its first year, before moving into brand new purpose built facilities on the same site in September 2010.

Initial work on the site on Simonsway will include the demolition of a single storey block that was a former music and art room and the erection of hoardings.

The Academy is sponsored by Manchester Airport with co-sponsorship from Willow Park Housing Trust, Manchester City Council and The Manchester College.

Marie Quayle, Principal Designate of the MEA says: "I am thrilled to be the Principal Designate of such a truly innovative and groundbreaking academy. Students that choose to come here will receive the very best opportunities in a supportive and caring environment and will be encouraged to develop the skills, confidence and attitude they will need for the world of work and life in general."

Andrew Cornish, Manchester Airport's Managing Director, says: "With the help of staff at every level of our business, we are actively involved in the project; managing the design of the new school building, recruiting staff and offering opportunities within our business to help the development of the Academy and its curriculum. Parklands High School is our local secondary school and lies just one mile from the Airport so we're aiming to ensure we both benefit from the link-up, allowing the school to work with a progressive company, but also communicating with our future customers (colleagues) and residents."

The Academy will differ from existing schools in that sponsors will work alongside teachers to design learning and assessment materials. All students will have personal mentors as well as round the clock access to materials and support to encourage 'anytime, anywhere learning.'
The site will be open from 7am to 10pm and will become the hub of the community giving parents, families and the whole community the opportunity to benefit from the facilities.

Councillor Sheila Newman, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Children's Services, says: "Manchester's academies programme is one of the largest investments in secondary education the city has ever seen. The MEA will be a new and exciting place to learn and will help ensure that our children and young people gain the skills and qualifications demanded by employers."

Manchester International Festival today announces sponsorship for the '09 event of £3.1 million, representing a third of the entire operating costs of the Festival. This figure is a combination of 85% cash sponsorship and 15% value in kind.

The Festival has to date secured £3.1 million from new and returning sponsors including the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), City Inn, Bruntwood, Manchester Airport, PZ Cussons and NCP. This is in addition to significant public sector funding from Manchester City Council and Arts Council England.

"In an increasingly difficult climate for business we are delighted to have reached this landmark in our fundraising. This represents an endorsement from some very smart business people and we greatly appreciate it. The Festival couldn't happen without their support," said Festival Director Alex Poots.

The inaugural Manchester International Festival in 2007 benefited from £3.6 million in sponsorship; the most private sector funding ever raised for a UK festival. The target sponsorship figure for MIF 09 is again £3.6million and discussions continue with additional sponsors.

Councillor Mike Amesbury, Executive Member for Culture and Leisure at Manchester City Council said: "To secure six top tier sponsors is an impressive performance given the current economic climate. Many of these companies invested in the first festival and this on-going support clearly demonstrates the benefits of association with this event, not only for their organisation but for the City as a whole."

The first Festival in 2007 attracted over 200,000 visitors to the city with an estimated economic impact of £28.8 million and further enhanced Manchester's international reputation as a leading cultural city.

Andrew Cornish, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said: "The International Festival will ensure the spotlight is on the city of Manchester during July, as we see a range of new projects brought to life. Manchester Airport maintains a long-standing commitment to supporting arts in this region. The airport allows people from around the world to sample this amazing festival as well as see everything the city has to offer. Manchester has built a reputation with its contributions to the world of culture and this festival will continue to extend that legacy, we are proud to be associated with it."

The current list of sponsors of the 2009 Manchester International Festival:

• Official Sponsors: Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), City Inn,
• Bruntwood, Manchester Airport, PZ Cussons, NCP
• Public Funders: Manchester City Council, Arts Council England
• Official Supporters: Cobbetts, Speedy Hire
• Official Supplier: Stephenson Bell
• Media Partners: MEN, The Guardian, BBC

The second Manchester International Festival takes place from 2-19 July 2009 with a programme of original work and special events including a commission that will see Zaha Hadid Architects create a bespoke environment for the solo works of JS Bach; Everybody Loves a Winner, Neil Bartlett's new play which will bring bingo to the Royal Exchange theatre and Prima Donna, Rufus Wainwright's debut opera. The full programme will be announced in March 09.

For more details on MIF, please visit: www.mif.co.uk

Jet2.com has today (15 January 2009) launched the first truly low-fare service to Tel Aviv from Manchester Airport - it will be the only airline to offer a direct route from the North of the UK, following the demise of other services.

The weekly service, which will begin from Thursday 21 May 2009, is set to provide an important gateway for the north's Jewish community to one of Israel's largest cities. The airline is so confident that the service will be such a popular addition to its Manchester schedule that from October the route is set to increase to twice weekly, departing Sunday's and Thursdays.

Tel Aviv is a thriving and cosmopolitan beach city that makes an exciting holiday destination. With buzzing nightlife, cafe culture, shopping, beautiful beach and a historic old town, the city offers a sophisticated break suitable for all.

With flights now on sale from just £70.99 one way including taxes, Jet2.com is offering the lowest ever fares and an unbeatable direct service to the popular Israeli city.

Philip Meeson, boss of Jet2.com, commented: "Tel Aviv is an extremely popular destination and we are confident there will be a huge demand for this service. As the only direct route from the North, we are in an unrivalled position to offer both the lowest ever fares and fastest service into Israel.

"This route launch is extremely significant for Jet2.com and emphasises our drive to continue to innovate and expand our reach into a variety of countries and markets."

Adrian Cohen, Managing Director of Israel Travel Service, commented: "I am extremely excited and pleased to hear that Jet2.com is launching this service to Tel Aviv and support it 100%.

"This welcome investment into tourism to Israel will undoubtedly be of benefit to the consumer and will strengthen the links between Manchester and Tel Aviv."

For more information on free online check-in, buying Jet2.com gift vouchers, pre-booking meals or joining myJet2, visit www.jet2.com.
ENDS

Penny is the first Regional Airports Executive to be appointed to the Group Board since MAG was formed in 2001.

In addition to her responsibilities for East Midlands, Bournemouth and Humberside Airports, Penny will also bring an additional focus to the Group's customer experience and sustainability agenda at Board level.

Geoff Muirhead CBE, Group Chief Executive, commented: "Penny has made a tremendous contribution to the development of MAG, driving forward the performance of the Group in many areas. Penny's appointment brings a greater balance of executive representation to the Board in line with best practice corporate governance and I look forward to her expanded contribution as a member of the Group Board."

Penny Coates said: "I am delighted to accept this exciting and challenging opportunity and look forward to contributing to the delivery of our commercial and sustainable development objectives."

Wednesday 14 January 2009

ENDS

The recently completed third platform at Manchester Airport's railway station has been officially opened by the Rt Hon Geoff Hoon MP, Secretary of State for Transport.
Before he unveiled a plaque (on 8 January) to mark the opening, Mr Hoon was shown a time-lapse DVD of the bridge slide, one of the major elements in the project.

The new £15m third platform at the airport station is crucial to the success of the new west coast timetable as it relieves congestion on the approaches to Piccadilly. It was completed nearly two weeks ahead of schedule.
Peter Strachan, Network Rail's route director said: "Mr Hoon came to look at the work while it was still in progress so it is a pleasure to welcome him again to see and officially open the finished platform.

"With over two million passengers a year using the station, and with all the extra services using the west coast route, this platform was absolutely essential. It is a testament to real partnership working that everyone pulled together in the way that they did to achieve an early completion."
Neville Chamberlain, Chairman of The Northern Way said: "Manchester Airport is the North's premier airport and we are delighted that the third platform at the Airport's station is now in operation. Previous analysis indicates that this increase in the capacity of the Airport's station will result in employment and productivity benefits worth around £20 million. Improved international connectivity is essential to a successful northern economy and better, reliable rail access to Manchester Airport is a key component of that."

Andrew Cornish, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said: "Although it is an individual's choice as to how to reach the Airport, we have a lot of influence over that choice. During the last 15 years, and alongside our partners, we have continued to invest over £100 million in the public transport facilities that service our airport. The siting of the station in the middle of the airport has enabled us to put rail at the core of our public transport network making us one of the few airports outside the South East with direct services to an on site station. The airport is in a favourable position compared to those regional airports that still rely solely on road access and the opening of the new platform continues to strengthen the modes offered."
Councillor Keith Whitmore, Vice Chair of Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority, said: "This project has been an unqualified success and shows just what can be achieved by working in partnership. It was delivered early and under budget and serves as another example of our ability to deliver landmark facilities."

Work started just over a year ago and the final critical element was the running of a test train on the new line. This was successfully carried out without a hitch, which meant the last little pieces of the jigsaw, such as re-numbering the existing platforms and changing the wording on the station information screens, could be fitted into place to bring the platform into use nearly two weeks early.

See US Embassy website for more information

Thursday 4 December 2008

Established in 2003, the Campaign aims to secure extra rail capacity in specific areas of the North West to unlock bottlenecks across the network and improve services to the major urban areas by influencing Government, the European Union and the railway industry to endorse direct investment into the region's rail network.

The campaign has enjoyed notable successes in recent times including the funding bid to build a third rail platform at Manchester Airport and influencing Network Rail to analyse capacity needs in the Manchester area.

Roger will replace Brian Simpson MEP, who stood down as Campaign Director to focus entirely on his role in the European Parliament, and be based at Manchester Airport.

The major concern for the North West's rail network centres on congestion in the southern "Mersey Belt", in particular the area in and around Manchester Piccadilly station. This has become known as the "Manchester Hub" and stretches from Slade Lane and Ardwick Junctions through to Piccadilly platforms 13 and 14 to Trafford Park West Junction, and through Deansgate to Salford Cresecent.

This "two-track" railway crossing the city is at full capacity, which leads to delays and severe over-crowding especially at peak times. These areas of congestion have knock on effects for the whole network so while this campaign aims to specifically fix problems within the North West, the benefits will be felt across the wider network.

Welcoming the appointment, Geoff Muirhead CBE, Group Chief Executive for the Manchester Airports Group and the Chair of the Campaign's Steering Group, said: "52 million passengers use rail in the North West, with the vast majority being concentrated within the Mersey Belt that includes rail journeys between Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Bolton, Preston, Manchester Airport and Crewe. By highlighting these issues and ensuring a co-ordinated approach between the public and private sectors we can continue to make improvements to the transport network in the North West and provide the type of rail system capable of servicing the requirements of this region. I welcome Roger's appointment as Director of the Campaign, to follow on from the excellent work undertaken by Brian Simpson MEP."

Transport plays a key factor in regeneration with efficient rail services enhancing the attractiveness of a location, particularly in regard to business competitiveness. According to previous research by the campaign, alleviating the problems of the Manchester Hub through increased investment in infrastructure could support up to 20,000 extra jobs in the North West.

The campaign is supported by several local authorities in the region, as well as Manchester Airport, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the North West Business Leadership Team, North West Regional Development Agency, the region's two Passenger Transport Executives and the Regional Leader's Forum; 4NW.

Roger was formerly a Salford councillor, becoming a member of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority in 1998 and was elected as its Chair in 2001. During his time at the PTA, he campaigned for major improvements to local bus services, culminating in the publication of the government's draft Local Transport Bill. He also led the campaign for major expansion of Greater Manchester's Metrolink network and was recognised for an 'Outstanding Contribution to Local Transport' at the National Transport Awards in 2007. He lost his Irlam seat in the May local elections before taking up his new position as the rail campaign chair.

ENDS

18th November 2008

The Airport, which handles more than 22 million passengers a year, received the award at the annual ceremony held last night (6th November) in London.

The glittering event is the largest awards programme in the UK created to recognise and reward the best companies in the travel industry.

The winners were voted for by both consumers and travel professionals and the awards span numerous categories ranging from airports, airlines, travel retailers and tour operators.

Every entrant was judged on a variety of criteria including facilities and levels of service, and insight is gained via consumer votes and industry opinions to reach the decision on the finalists at the event.

Manchester Airport also won silver awards as Best UK Airport - Business Travel and Best UK Airport - Leisure Travel.

Andrew Cornish, Manchester Airport's Managing Director, said of the award: "We are very pleased and proud to have been presented with this award especially as it is voted for by some of the most experienced industry professionals in the travel industry.

"We pride ourselves on giving the passengers the very best possible experience and it is great to see that the industry recognises that hard work and commitment.

"This treble achievement really recognises the hard work and effort that everyone across the airport has put in over the past year and demonstrates that MAG is raising the bar in the industry for the high standards in its airports."

Fast-expanding airline Jet2.com has announced that it will base another 229-seat Boeing 757 at Manchester to meet growing demand as well as helping ease capacity issues following the demise of XL - it will create 25 new jobs as a result.

The company today confirmed that its ninth 757 would be stationed at Manchester and would be used to increase capacity on its newly launched Dalaman and Sharm el Sheikh routes, which have seen strong sales, as well as filling the void left by XL Airways, notably on its Tenerife and Heraklion services.

Last week the airline announced it was increasing its hold baggage allowance by 30 per cent, from 17kg to 22kg, offering its passengers the most generous allowance in the leisure airline sector.

Unlike many in the travel business, Jet2.com is bucking the current downturn and last month its parent company, Dart Group plc, announced record half-year profits of £30 million and record load factors of more than 90 per cent.

Meanwhile, the airline recently launched 22 new routes for summer 2009 across its six UK bases and has just been voted the UK's best short-haul airline by readers of the Guardian and Observer, an accolade it has won for the last three years.

Philip Meeson, Jet2.com boss said: "At a time when many competitors are cutting back services and reducing capacity, we are increasing ours, not just taking advantage of gaps left by others, but expanding the capacity on our own popular routes.

"For example, since we launched Dalaman in Turkey, sales have been so strong that we are doubling the frequency for this route and excellent sales and customer demand on our Sharm el Sheikh service has prompted us to make this route all year round.

"We also recently announced a 30 per cent increase in baggage allowance - when you add up all these factors: excellent new destinations, improved passenger allowances and of course low, low fares, you can see why we're enjoying the biggest growth period in our history."

Jet2.com now has six aircraft stationed at Manchester: two Boeing 148-seat 737s and four 229-seat 757s.

For more information on increased capacity, improved flight timings and enhanced routes, visit jet2.com

ENDS

5 November 08

This decision by bmi is, of course, regrettable, however given the current economic climate and the decrease in global air traffic it is not unexpected. This is balanced with the arrival of a new airline, Air Sylhet, at Manchester Airport, operating services to Dubai and an additional four new destinations in India through Brussels Airlines.

Manchester Airport's iconic chandeliers are to be restored to their former glory and go on display at The World of Glass museum in St Helens and The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester.

The famous glass chandeliers, which were designed by Royal architect Stefan Buzas and created at the renowned Venini factory in Murano, Italy, were commissioned by Manchester Airport and first hung in the departure hall at Terminal 1.

The four 17 feet long chandeliers, which each weigh two tonnes, were taken down in 2003 to make way for a major redevelopment of Terminal 1 at Manchester Airport and have been kept in storage while the airport searched for a new home.

Now with the help of £50K of Lottery Heritage Funding and grants from the Pilgrim Trust, The Mersey Partnership and the Rainford Trust, one lead glass chandelier has been restored to its original design and is about to be installed at The World of Glass museum and visitor centre.

Manchester Airport's Jackie Neville who has spearheaded the project, said: "The chandeliers are a much loved part of Manchester Airport's heritage but they are enormous and very delicate structures that we can no longer fit into our redesigned terminals.

"We've been working hard for a number of years to find the perfect place for the chandeliers to be enjoyed by generations of the future and we're delighted that work is now about to start on installing a chandelier at The World of Glass.

"The plan for the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester is to renovate a second chandelier as part of their Air and Space Hall redevelopment in 2010. It's great that they are going to be back on show and we're all looking forward to seeing them shone once again."

Ron Helsby, Executive Director of The World of Glass, said: "This is a great acquisition for The World of Glass and it is great to work with our partners in restoring this iconic piece of crystal which will go on display to everyone in our foyer."

The chandeliers have been restored by specialist David Malik and Sons in London and installation began this week (w/e Friday 31 October).

Top Airports
The top airports, according to British respondents are Manchester, Singapore Changi International, and Amsterdam Schiphol International Airport. Twenty-three percent said that Heathrow was their least favourite airport followed by London's Gatwick. Seventy-seven percent said that fast/efficient security, followed by great bathrooms is what makes an airport great. See full article

17 October 2008

Biza, in the heart of Terminal 1 departures, is a new generation of Tax and Duty Free store, with the very biggest names at Tax Free prices. Ideal for last minute gifts - from fragrances and make-up to wines and spirits - you'll soon see why Biza is the business.

Attitude opening this winter in terminal 1 is a stylish and fashionable new store to Manchester Airport, with an exciting range of designer fashion and accessories from brands such as Hugo Boss, Tommy Hilfiger and Burberry. If you want to get attitude, get to Attitude!

Temptation, opening this winter also in terminal 1 has a fabulous range of designer sunglasses, jewellery and watches from leading brands including Gucci, Prada, DKNY, Diesel, D&G and more.

In terminal 1 you now check in and go through security - which leaves you plenty of time to shop til you drop!

New routes for Manchester Airport to Toulouse and Amsterdam

Airline continues to grow despite current economic conditions

More routes to be announced soon

bmibaby has today launched stage one of its summer 2009 flight programme with exciting new routes from Manchester Airport to Toulouse and Amsterdam. The two new services commence on 29th March 2009 and both routes are currently not served by any other low cost airline from the airport. bmibaby will operate a double daily service to Amsterdam between Monday and Friday plus an additional service on Sunday. Flights to Toulouse will operate on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Six other European routes will also go on sale today from Manchester to Malaga, Alicante, Bordeaux, Perpignan and Palma. Stage two of summer 2009 will be on sale in the next few weeks. The two new routes bring the total number of destinations served by bmibaby from Manchester to 16.

To celebrate the launch of summer 2009 flights, the bmibaby ice cream van will be travelling around the UK and will be visiting Manchester Airport on Thursday (11th September 2008). The airline's cabin crew will be giving out free ice cream to all passengers outside terminal three, come rain or shine!

Crawford Rix, managing director, bmibaby, said:

"Despite the challenging market conditions, bmibaby continues to go from strength to strength and we're proud to introduce even more new routes from Manchester Airport today to Toulouse and Amsterdam. As we are the only low fares airline operating from Manchester to these two destinations, we advise people to save money and book with bmibaby now! Both services commence on 29th March 2009.

"Toulouse has a fantastic architectural heritage, a great all year round climate, and is the gateway to fantastic towns and cities in the South West region of France. Amsterdam is a must see European hotspot and offers travellers everything from to Van Gogh, to flower markets to trendy bars and cafes.

"We decided to launch our summer 2009 flying schedule earlier this year, to not only give people something to look forward too, but also to meet consumer demand. Customers have been contacting us asking when they can book next year's flights, this shows that the appetite for travel is still very much alive and kicking in Manchester!

"I strongly believe that the combination of bmibaby's low fares and great service is fuelling the demand for our flights and as result we will continue to offer new destinations from Manchester. We not only provide benefits such as allocated seating for everyone, thus saving the chaotic scramble for seats, but customers can also join bmi diamond club, the UK's most generous frequent flier programme.

"We will shortly be launching stage two of our summer 2009 flying programme so advise people to visit www.bmibaby.com and book early to secure a great deal. bmibaby is here to stay and we have long term growth plans for Manchester region."

Ends

bmi jas launched its first better for business sale to all destinations across its worldwide network There's never been a better time to travel on business from Manchester airport as the offer will include sale prices for both Business and Economy fares on flights across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Russia, Central Asia and Africa.

Passengers travelling from Manchester airport are able to take advantage of bmi's better for business sale with direct flights to a range of UK and European destinations and with quick connections to the airline's wider network available through London Heathrow Terminal 1, the UK base of the Star Alliance. The newly redesigned terminal offers passengers a quicker and smoother transit through London Heathrow Airport.

bmi's sale prices to destinations including Tel Aviv, Cairo, Moscow, Brussels and Dublin are available for travel until 31 March 2009 for passengers travelling in both Economy and Business. Book by visiting flybmi.com or calling 0870 6070 555.

Return prices featured in bmi's sale (inclusive of taxes) include:
- Moscow from just £249 (£1,059 in Business) return
- Chicago from just £307 (£1,804 in Business) return
- Cairo and Tel Aviv from just £359 (£859 in Business) return
- Las Vegas from just £507 (£2,858 in Business) return

29th August 2008

ENDS

Jet2.com is bringing the beautiful island of Sardinia within easy reach of Manchester, following an announcement today that it will begin direct services there for summer 2009.

With flights on sale today from just £49.99 one way including taxes, the leading low fare airline now flies to 16 destinations direct from the UK's third largest airport.

Flying into Olbia (translated as 'happy town') on the island's North East coast, the area is famous for having one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in the Mediterranean with white sands and crystal clear water. Olbia also boasts a good selection of bars, restaurants and shops.

With a warm climate, beautiful unspoilt landscape and many tourist attractions and activities, Sardinia is the ideal destination for a summer holiday or short sunshine break.

Speaking about the route launch, Philip Meeson, boss of Jet2.com, commented: "Sardinia has proved to be an extremely popular summer destination when we launched the route from our Leeds Bradford base this May which is why we decided to extend this service to Manchester.

"With its white beaches, charismatic towns, picturesque harbours and delicious cuisine, it is a destination that can truly offer something for everyone. I'm confident that it will be an extremely successful route, further increasing tourism to Sardinia and giving people within reach of Manchester Airport even more choice when it comes to their holiday destination."

Fares from Manchester to Sardinia start from £49.99 one way including taxes. Flights will depart Manchester to Sardinia once a week with the first flight departing on 2nd May 2009.

For more information, please visit www.jet2.com

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We have given evidence of our own experiences to the Competition Commission's inquiry into BAA and we believe that today's provisional findings are good news for passengers and airlines.

MAG is an experienced, UK-owned airport operator with a strong track record in investing in the passenger experience, delivering efficient operations, a partnership approach to our business relationships, managing our costs effectively and a World-leading environmental performance.

We have consistently stated that the Group is interested in acquiring assets that will add value for our shareholders and this could include one or more of the BAA airports.

We are currently examining the details of today's report before making any decision about future acquisitions.

ENDS

International football tourism generated over £4 million for the Manchester economy, new research has revealed today.

A study of fans travelling through the airport, undertaken at Manchester Airport by researchers for the Centre for Air Transport and the Environment at Manchester Metropolitan University during May, has highlighted the additional revenues for the regional economy generated by the UEFA Cup Final in Manchester on the 14th May and the exodus of Manchester United fans to Moscow for the Champions League Final on the 21st May.

For the UEFA Cup game, the research showed that fans flew to Manchester from as many as four continents and eleven countries including Holland, France, USA, Canada, Australia and Dubai. While the percentage of Rangers fans travelling by air was relatively small (approx 5%) partly due to the distance there was a mirror image in the travel habits of the Russian Zenit St Petersburg fans where 99% flew into the city, with extra flights needed to meet the demand.

Andrew Cornish, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said: "The economic success was outlined in the airport seeing an additional £1 million in revenue just as a direct result of the increased throughput from the UEFA and Champions League finals. As we enter a time of economic downturn, it's been a timely boost for Manchester but this study also demonstrates the extent to which international football relies upon aviation giving the public the chance to follow their teams across the World."

Over 52% of St Petersburg fans said they chose to fly due to the speed, whilst 9% choose to fly as they felt it was the only option. Over 58% of Manchester United fans felt flying was the only option on their journey to Moscow. 24% said that the speed was the reason they chose to fly.

Around 25,000 Manchester United fans flew out to Moscow to see their team take on Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League Final in May. It provided affordable transport for those on lower incomes and provided an easy, time saving alternative for those without the time to undertake cross-country trips by rail or road. Although it may have been possible to travel over land, individual circumstances left many with one option, to fly; and this was particularly the case for Manchester United and St Petersburg fans. At a time when the cost of flying is on the rise with increases in fuel price and additional taxes, this event underlined the importance that people place on their ability to fly.

This is not the first time that Manchester has felt the economic benefits of large sporting events of this nature. When Manchester United contested the UEFA Champions League Final on 28th May 2003 it contributed to the busiest day in Manchester Airport's history. Over the 28th and 29th May an additional 242 commercial flights operated via Manchester Airport, carrying an additional 43,438 extra passengers in and out of the airport.

On this occasion, the hospitality and retail industries were shown to be the main beneficiaries of the increased economic activity in the host cities particularly with a high percentage of fans intending to visit leisure and shopping facilities. However a significant amount of money will also have been spent on air transport and accommodation.

Sport is already a large economic generator for the region and ancillary benefits have been felt from the staging of events in the past. The Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002 kick started a rejuvenation in the east of the city and was a demonstration of what could be achieved in economic turns around sport. An assessment of the direct, long-term effects of the Commonwealth Games in Manchester highlighted the creation of 6,300 full-time jobs and a £22 million increase in turnover experienced by local businesses.

Similar results are expected around East London with the staging of the Olympics in 2012 with positive reverberations felt in the North West with the Olympic Delivery Authority and London Organising Committee expected to allocate over £6bn of work as part of business opportunities covering contractors and supply chains in the run up to the Olympics. With the easy accessibility to the capital, and the use of Manchester International Airport alongside an array of sporting venues, some remaining from the legacy of the Commonwealth Games, then the stage is set for Manchester to continue reaping the social and economic benefits of sport to the regional economy.

-ENDS-

Case studies

Rick Adkinson, Branch Secretary of the Manchester United Hong Kong supporter's club

"I've been supporting Manchester United since the 1960's so the chance to catch them in this Final was one I wasn't going to miss. My normal day job is Managing Director of a firm in Hong Kong but I also have other duties as branch secretary to the Manchester United Hong Kong Supporter's Club. About twenty of us flew to Moscow on the Monday before the Final with a few of our number coming from as far afield as Japan and Singapore."

Gary Brisbane - Melbourne Glasgow Rangers Supporters Club

"In total I must have spent about $7000 (£3300) on the whole trip but I've been following Rangers since I was a young lad growing up in Glasgow and even though my parents emigrated to Australia about 19 years ago it's not stopped me from supporting Rangers one little bit and overall I have been supporting Rangers for approximately 25 years now. I am a manager of a building company in Melbourne but also a member of the Melbourne Glasgow Rangers Supporters Club and I travelled with the president of our club to Manchester. We took a bit of a gamble and purchased the Final tickets two weeks before the semi-final was even played and paid a lot for those two tickets, but it was money well spent that's for sure. If only we'd won!"

Karen Arnott - Melbourne Glasgow Rangers Supporters Club

It cost me $3000 (£1400) dollars to fly over to Manchester. I've been a Rangers fan all my life and I was a season ticket holder at Ibrox until the end of the 2003 season before I moved to Australia in January 2004. I can't make it to many games at Ibrox now, obviously, as it's a bit too far to travel on a regular basis but each time I'm home I get to whatever games I can. I've been back five times so far since I left but only managed one other game at Ibrox last season so the chance to go to Manchester was too good an opportunity to pass up. I'm an Associate Nurse Unit Manager by day but a Rangers fan at night at the moment. I'm getting used to sitting in front of my laptop at 2 or 3am trying to pick up live feeds on the internet of games.

The aircraft, which is renowned for its quietness, low fuel burn, spaciousness and comfort on two full-length passenger decks, will be appearing at both Manchester Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport, before following the River Mersey and the Liverpool waterfront to the Wirral Show, west of New Brighton.

A380's appearances in the North West are scheduled to take place consecutively between 1pm and 2pm on the day. They comprise a 'flypast' (an 'approach and go-around') at both Manchester and Liverpool airports; then, in tribute to the city's role as European Capital of Culture 2008, this prestigious European aircraft will follow Liverpool's historic waterfront, flying above the equally famous River Mersey to culminate in an appearance at the Wirral Show (weather permitting).

As it arrives at the northern coast of the Wirral, many of the 200,000 visitors attending the two-day Wirral Show will be treated to a special flying display. As long as suitable weather conditions prevail, the crowds will witness an exclusive preview of the A380 demonstration display that Airbus A380 Project Pilot Peter Chandler, and his colleague Frank Chapman, will be performing daily for potential customers at Farnborough International Air Show - which takes place in Hampshire during the following week (14th-20th July).

With wings produced at the Airbus UK site at Broughton, Flintshire, west of Chester and with many of its 7,000 strong workforce, plus suppliers and their friends and family being resident on the Wirral and in the Liverpool and Manchester areas, this tour will be something of a homecoming for the A380 development aircraft, designated MSN004.

Having played a key role in the original flight test programme for the A380 and flying on the fourth set of A380 wings delivered from Broughton (in the summer of 2004, initially using the Bromborough/Wirral built river craft, up the River Dee to Port of Mostyn in North Wales and thereafter on to France), this aircraft is today used for demonstration and development purposes around the world. This includes, on 1st February 2008, becoming the first commercial aircraft to fly with a synthetic liquid fuel processed from gas (Gas to Liquids - GTL) in a successful three hour flight, also flown by Frank Chapman, between Filton, UK and Toulouse, France as part of Airbus's alternative fuel research programme.

Thirty-two pairs of A380 wings (including test wings) have now been delivered from the Airbus factory at Broughton since April 2004. Workers on the site have already seen two private A380 flypasts at their own Hawarden Airfield in North Wales (in April 2006 and March 2007); but this will be the A380's first official visit to the North West and its first day of flying displays in the UK since its initial debut at Farnborough Air Show in 2006.

Peter Chandler, a former RAF pilot and ex-Virgin Atlantic Airways Captain, who has been carrying out regular test flights in A380s since 2005, said: "It is a great privilege to be able to bring the A380 to the North West and to show it off for the first time at the region's international airports. We are especially keeping our fingers crossed for good weather over the Wirral in order to fully demonstrate how versatile, quiet and manoeuvrable this wonderful aircraft is. All of which are characteristics owing a great deal to the British-designed, Broughton-built wings. We are very conscious that this is the first opportunity many of our colleagues who built the aircraft, will have to see it truly perform."

Peter continued: "A total of 196 A380s have been ordered to date by 17 customers. Five of these aircraft have now been delivered to Singapore Airlines and the A380 is proving very successful in airline service. Not only is it very popular with the crews who fly it but also with the passengers who really appreciate the new standards of comfort, quietness and spaciousness inside."

Frank Chapman, another former RAF pilot and ex-commercial pilot for Monarch Airlines, said: "Although now based at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, as former pilots in the RAF, both myself and Peter have spent many hours in the past flying in the North West and we have very much been looking forward to this visit. With Manchester Airport expecting to see the introduction of A380 on scheduled services before too long, this is a wonderful opportunity to introduce the aircraft to the team there. In addition, as this year's European Capital of Culture - which already attracts so many new visitors - we felt it was especially fitting that Europe's most prestigious new aircraft pays a visit to Liverpool and John Lennon Airport too."

Airbus is an EADS company.

Advice to Public wishing to watch at Manchester Airport
Visitors are welcome to watch the aircraft from the Multi Storey car park at Terminal 1 arrivals - please note that car hire pick up and drop off is on the top level (level 13) so please use other levels for parking and use the stairways to walk to the top of the car park - please take care when doing so.

08/07/2008
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This may affect passengers travelling to and from Terminal 3.

See Map showing Ringway Road

Manchester Airport has been awarded the prestigious Best Airport Award 2008 by Airports Council International Europe.

The airport was named as the winner in the 10-25 million passenger category at the 4th Annual ACI Europe Best Airport Awards held in Paris this week. The judges praised Manchester Airport for "its simple, innovative approach to attracting airlines" and its commitment to the environment following the decision to make the airport carbon neutral by 2015. Also singled out for praise were the airport's community relations programme and its sponsorship of the arts.

The judges were impressed with Manchester's focus on customer service and its Customer First programme, designed to make sure that passengers have a seamless, easy and worry-free experience when they travel through Manchester Airport.

The airport was commended for the way it has handled changes to security restrictions, investing £10 million in a new security screening area in Terminal 1 and more than £2.2 million in new, state-of-the-art x-ray machines.

The awards followed a conference attended by more than 500 industry leaders, national government and EU officials where they discussed the challenges faced by European Airports, including the environment, aviation system capacity, airport financing and security.

Manchester Airport's Managing Director Andrew Cornish expressed his delight at receiving the award. He said: " These are challenging times in the aviation industry and we know that there are some excellent airports in Europe, so to win this prestigious award is particularly great news.

"Manchester Airport puts customers first and that includes both airlines and our passengers. We are committed to making life as easy and hassle free as possible for people when they travel through Manchester Airport.

"We're also committed to the community, the environment and we're a major sponsor of the arts in the region. We firmly believe that our approach is the right way to run an airport of the future and we're delighted that the efforts of everyone here at Manchester Airport have been recognised in this award."

Awards were presented to winning airports by Dr Yiannis Paraschis, President of ACI EUROPE.

Other awards were presented as follows:

Under 1 million passengers - Angelholm-Helsingborg Airport
1 - 5 million passengers - SAGAT Turin Airport
5 - 10 million passengers - Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport
Over 25 million passengers - Madrid- Barajas Airport

PWC's role will be to act on MAG's behalf in exploring a possible transfer of ownership of Humberside Airport.

The review, which began in April, will consider all the options to secure the best long-term future for Humberside Airport including a sale of MAG's stake.

Commenting on the appointment Penny Coates, Managing Director Regional Airports Division, said: "PWC has an enormous amount of experience with the aviation industry and will be working to develop a strategy to attract potential long- term investors and to value Humberside Airport".

"We began this review because although Humberside Airport is a profitable business with a solid future, maximising that potential does not fit easily with our strategy. PWC bring a wealth of expertise to this project and I am delighted to welcome them to the MAG team".

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.

Archived images

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

We've been granted an emergency closure order between 21.00 and 05.00 for a maximum of 5 nights beginning Tuesday 27 May. The work should be complete in 2 nights, but there is a risk that weather delays can occur. We know from past experience that this work will be difficult or impossible if there are moderately high winds. Indeed we have had to abort this work before for that reason. However, we will not close the road if there is no prospect of work that night, and will not continue with closures after the job is completed.

Traffic Management
We will divert traffic from the end of the M56 for T1 and T3 and Premier Park down Ringway Road West and into the Airport past the Airport Hotel via Ringway Road.
The mini roundabout is still in place at that junction and will stay until after this work. As the work is only planned for nighttime, airport traffic is much lighter and we will not sign T1 traffic off the M56 at the T2 exit slip.

Petrol station traffic will still be able to access the Station off Outwood Lane, but will have to exit via World Way onto the M56

Aer Arann
Ryan Air
Olympic Airlines
Aurigny Air Services
Icelandair
European Aviation Air Charter
Futura
Spanair
Kibris Turkish Airlines
Air Berlin
Jet2.com
Lufthansa
Swiss International Airlines
Libyan Airlines

Directions
Travelling by car/ drop off for Ground Level Check In

Leave the M56 at Junction 5, keeping to the right hand lane and follow the signs for Terminal 1. The Hilton and Bewleys hotel are located on the left hand side, keep in the right hand lane following signs for Terminal 1 Ground Level Departures, take the 2nd exit at the roundabout and this will bring you outside Ground Level Check In and the drop off area.

Using Long Stay Car Parks

Transfer buses run every 15 mins 24 hours a day.

The first stop for the T1/T3 long stay car park bus is outside Terminal 3 it then carries on to Terminal 1, stopping outside the entrance to Ground Level Check In.

Returning passengers can pick up the T1/T3 long stay car park bus from outside Terminal 1 arrivals.

Terminal 1 multi-storey Short Stay Car Park

If parking on levels 3,5,7,9,11,13 take the lift to level 0 and follow signs directing you to Ground Level Check In.

If parking on levels 4,6,8,10,12 take the lifts to level 0 and follow signs directing you to Ground Level Check In, through Terminal 1 Arrivals Hall.

Ground Transport - The Station

If arriving by train, coach or bus take the Station Link Bus to Terminal 1 and 3. Follow signs for the T1/T3 link bus, which departs from the front entrance of the station every 10 minutes. The first stop is outside Terminal 3 it then it carries on to Terminal 1, stopping outside the entrance to Ground Level Check In.

Alternatively you can walk to Terminal 1 following the signs via the covered walk way. Upon arrival in Terminal 1, take the main passenger lifts to Level 0 and then follow signs for Ground Level Check In.

When entering Terminal 1 and take the one of the three main lifts to level 0 and follow the signs for Ground Level Check In.

Speaking today, Ryanair's Bridget Dowling said:

"This new route to Frankfurt will operate 4 times a week will allow an additional 60,000 passengers per annum to enjoy Ryanair's guaranteed lowest fares from Manchester.

"To celebrate this new route, Ryanair is giving away seats to Frankfurt Hahn for just £10 including taxes and charges, and we advise passengers to log onto www.ryanair.com immediately, because this offer must end at midnight on Thursday."

Ends.

Flybe are offering all passengers the chance to re-book for free.

Brussels Airlines via Brussels

SWISS via Zurich

Lufthansa via Frankfurt and Munich

Air France via Paris

KLM via Amsterdam

Finnair via Helsinki

SAS via Copenhagen

Useful Information
Please note you will need a visa to enter Moscow.

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Humberside Airport has maintained annual passenger volumes of approximately 500,000 during a period of intense competition and has broadened its aviation activities to include scheduled and charter passenger services, freight, North Sea gas rig services, aircraft maintenance, pilot training and a variety of other specialised niches.

MAG now believes that in order to secure the best long-term future for Humberside Airport that all options, including a possible transfer of ownership, should be considered.

This would allow MAG to concentrate on its strategy of maximising the growth opportunities offered by the larger Manchester, East Midlands and Bournemouth Airports.

Employees at Humberside Airport and North Lincolnshire Council, the airport's minority shareholder were informed of the Group's decision today by MAG Chief Executive, Geoff Muirhead CBE.

Simon Driver, Chief Executive of North Lincolnshire Council said of the decision:"North Lincolnshire Council welcomes the long-term relationship with Manchester Airports Group and recognises that now is the time to look to the future. We will build on the success of the airport for the benefit of North Lincolnshire and the wider region.
"The airport has real potential and the council, as a shareholder, will look to maximise the development of the airport in the future. The council has maintained its shareholding in the airport since 1996.
"In light of the news from Manchester Airports Group, the council now needs to consider its position. It is inappropriate to comment further at this stage."

Commenting on the move, Geoff Muirhead CBE said: "Humberside Airport is a solid business but the attention needed to maximise its full potential may not fit easily with the Group's emerging strategy.

"The Humberside Airport team has done a fantastic job retaining and attracting airlines and maintaining stable passenger numbers, particularly during the last few years when competition has increased significantly."

Since purchasing its majority stake in Humberside Airport in 1999 for £10 million, MAG has invested nearly £7 million in capital expenditure to improve and develop the airport infrastructure.

Routes currently served from Humberside Airport include Air France/KLM's worldwide hub at Amsterdam, many of the popular holiday destinations in Europe, the Canaries, Lapland, the Channel Islands and domestic services to Scotland.

Humberside Airport has a core catchment area of over 1 million people within 45 minutes driving time and serves the major towns and cities of Hull, Grimsby/Cleethorpes, Scunthorpe and Lincoln.

MAG's other three airports, Manchester, East Midlands and Bournemouth, together handle around 28 million passengers every year and are unique within their catchment area in terms of destinations, airlines, facilities and proximity to the main surface transport infrastructure.

The review and any future decisions about MAG's stake in Humberside Airport are expected to be completed by the end of 2008.

- ENDS -

A bus service will operate from Terminal 1 to Terminal 3 and The Station from this date and will be prominently signposted as will an external walking route.