M.A.G today announces that it has been successful in its bid to acquire Stansted Airport and welcomes Industry Funds Management (IFM) as a strategic investor in M.A.G as part of the transaction.

M.A.G will pay a consideration of £1.5bn to acquire Stansted after a transparent and highly competitive process. This represents an acquisition multiple of 15.6x 2012 EBITDA which compares favourably with similar airport transactions in the UK and reflects Stansted's significant growth potential. The transaction is expected to reach financial completion by the end of February.

As part of the transaction, Industry Funds Management (IFM) will become an investor in M.A.G investing significant new equity and taking a 35.5% interest in the enlarged group, after having worked in close partnership with M.A.G through the acquisition process of Stansted Airport.

M.A.G has a detailed integration plan in place to ensure a seamless transition of ownership and operations at Stansted which will maintain business as usual for passengers and customers. The combined group that this acquisition creates will generate significant benefits for all stakeholders.

M.A.G has a proven track record in successful airport management as the owner and operator of Manchester, East Midlands and Bournemouth airports. In the twelve months ending 31 March 2012, M.A.G's passenger numbers rose by 6.7%, revenues increased by 8.6% and underlying operating profit was up by 26%.

IFM has investments in nine airports across Australia, including five major state capital city airports. In the UK, IFM already has significant investments in Anglian Water, the fourth largest water and sewerage company in England and Wales, and Arqiva Limited, the UK's largest broadcast and wireless communications infrastructure company.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, M.A.G's current majority shareholder said:

"M.A.G is a key driver of jobs and growth in the North of England and the acquisition of Stansted will help us deliver maximum value for Manchester City Council and the other local authority shareholders."

Charlie Cornish, Chief Executive of M.A.G commented:

"We are delighted to be successful in our bid for Stansted Airport, the London airport for Europe. The transaction represents a significant milestone in the achievement of our previously stated strategy of adding a quality airport to the group and delivering long term value to our shareholders.

"M.A.G has a strong track record of creating shareholder value through strategic investment and enhancing operations to improve customer service and drive increased passenger numbers. We will use that expertise at Stansted to ensure that the airport can fulfil its potential as a high quality alternative London access point for global air travellers. Stansted has scope to benefit from significant volume growth over the short, medium and long term.

"Our bid for Stansted has been under development for well over a year. We have been delighted to work closely with IFM to create a compelling and unique partnership that has been instrumental in providing the capital for this important transaction which sees one of Europe's largest airport operators now based in Manchester. Today's announcement is excellent news for M.A.G and our shareholders; it marks the start of a new chapter for the Group."

Christian Seymour, Head of Infrastructure, Europe, at IFM commented:

"We are delighted by today's announcement which will see IFM become a strategic investor in M.A.G. It is the culmination of 18 months' work developing a strong, long term partnership with M.A.G, and is an important part of our focused strategy of investing in core, high-quality infrastructure assets. IFM is a highly experienced investor in airports, having invested in these assets since 1997."

Lord Peter Smith, chair of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities, said:

"This represents a good deal for the local authority shareholders which will give Manchester Airport Group a stake in the important South East air traffic market and strengthen M.A.G by enabling it to capture synergies with airline operations at both Manchester and Stansted, expanding the network of services and encouraging growth."

J.P. Morgan Cazenove acted as financial adviser and RBS as debt adviser to MAG. Gleacher Shacklock LLP acted as financial adviser to IFM.

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Notes to editors

The funds for the acquisition come from new equity raised from IFM, together with investment grade financing. All the existing shareholders' equity has been maintained in the Group.

M.A.G

M.A.G is the largest UK-owned airport operator, serving 24 million passengers and handling almost half a million tonnes of air freight every year, through its ownership and operation of Manchester, East Midlands and Bournemouth airports. Its property and facilities management arm, M.A.G Developments, is responsible for the Group's estate and also the development of Manchester Airport City.

M.A.G's overall strategic intent is to increase long term shareholder value by generating profitable growth, developing its assets and deploying efficient and customer focused operating processes throughout the business.

More than just a regional success story, the Group's three airports and property business already contribute more than £3bn to the UK economy and support over 86,000 jobs. M.A.G is owned by the ten local authorities of Greater Manchester.

IFM

IFM is a global investment manager with investors and offices in three of the largest pension markets in the world. Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, with offices in Sydney, London and New York, IFM manages over £24 billion across four asset classes - infrastructure, debt investments, private equity, and listed equity portfolios.

IFM invests on behalf of institutional investors and is owned by 30 major not-for-profit Australian superannuation funds. IFM is actively committed to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) and has been a signatory since 2008.

IFM is a highly experienced, long-term investor in airports. It has held investments in airport assets since 1997. Through its Australian Infrastructure Fund, IFM currently has significant interests in nine airports across Australia, including five major capital city airports. In 2011, IFM owned airports facilitated the flow of over 72 million domestic and international passengers.

As at 30 September 2012, IFM's airport investments exceeded A$1.8 billion in equity value.

Around 620,000 passengers are set to travel through Manchester Airport over the Christmas and New Year holiday period - an increase of 4.5% or 27,000 on the same period last year (593,000).

The busiest day of the 'Getaway' period - which runs from Friday 21st December, 2012 to Friday 4th January, 2013 - is set to be Friday 21st, when more than 50,000 passengers travel through the airport (c. 30,000 departing) coinciding with the end of the school term for Christmas.

The most popular destinations include Palma, Tenerife, Florida, Dubai and Alicante, with cheap package holidays tempting travellers to seek out sunshine. Long Haul routes such as New York, Washington, Chicago and Abu Dhabi also feature strongly; whilst City Breaks nearer to home are also popular, with Antwerp, Dublin, Warsaw, Munich, Gothenburg, Dubrovnik and Reykjavik among the favourites.

Andrew Harrison, Chief Operating Officer of Manchester Airport's parent company, M.A.G, said: "We are preparing for another busy Christmas and New Year period as thousands of people take to the skies, be it for sunnier climes, returning home, mini breaks, or long haul trips to North America, the Middle East or to connect to places like Australia and the Far East.

"We've experienced good growth in passenger numbers throughout 2012 with airlines adding a variety of new services and increased options on existing routes. Rounding the year off with a busy festive period underlines the strength and range of what is on offer to people who prefer to fly direct from the North of England - and provides an optimistic outlook into 2013."

Manchester Airport Christmas travel advice

At this time of the year passengers often travel with Christmas presents in their luggage - any gifts carried in hand luggage must comply with the Department for Transport (DfT) Liquids, Creams and Gels Policy: if any item has a container size bigger than 100ml, it cannot be carried in hand luggage. Items under-100ml are permitted in hand luggage, but must be carried in a clear re-sealable plastic bag no greater than 1 litre capacity (and 1 bag per passenger). To avoid unwrapping any presents at airport security, it is recommended to place these items in checked-in hold luggage instead. Otherwise, gift-wrapped items carried in hand baggage could be subject to opening for closer inspection as part of the security checks.

At this busy - and cold - time of the year, passengers are also reminded they can help save time at airport security by removing winter items of clothing such as coats, hats, gloves and scarves, as well as belts and shoes, before they arrive at the security check-point. For further details, see: www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/content/travelmadeeasy

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

Expressions of interest from international development and investment partners are being sought by M.A.G for its £650 million Airport City scheme, the first of its kind in the UK.

M.A.G has appointed the leading global property advisor, CBRE, to manage the tender process on its behalf - and developers and investors are now able to register their interest in the project by contacting Colin Thomasson at CBRE. The registration process will run until 21 January 2013.

Further information information on the development and tender process is available here: www.airportcity.co.uk/investment

Airport City is the core element of the Government designated Enterprise Zone surrounding the UK's third busiest airport, Manchester. It aims to compete with existing airport city and 'aerotropolis' projects outside the UK, including Barcelona and Amsterdam.

In order to realise the scale of the ambition, M.A.G is seeking a Joint Venture Co-Investment and Development Partner (s) for Airport City, with expertise and experience of international business space delivery, alongside access to international occupiers and large-scale financing capabilities - potentially for the entire scheme - alongside M.A.G's land ownership and expertise in airport developments.

John Atkins, M.A.G's Airport City Director, said: "As recognised by the UK Government in its Enterprise Zone designation, Airport City is a unique commercial product for the UK that will meet demand that currently exists for a high-quality, sustainable and well-connected environment with access to the global marketplace.

"With Manchester Airport's international connectivity and passenger growth prospects, Airport City is the prime investment opportunity in one of the best cities with the strongest investment potential in the UK. Driven by Manchester's academic, scientific, and digital credentials, Airport City will compete with similar schemes at Barcelona, Frankfurt and Amsterdam; with the aim of attracting international occupiers that would not previously have located in the region, or even the UK."

Colin Thomasson, Senior Director, CBRE, said: "Airport City is a compelling opportunity for developers and investors. Manchester is becoming an important hub for international investment and the airport itself is flourishing on the back of this and the fact that airport capacity in the south east of the UK is severely constrained. We believe that Airport City will become the most significant development project in the UK since the regeneration of East London began in 2005 for the Olympics.

"Underscoring its potential, Manchester already has close ties with China and the Middle East and we are confident that this opportunity will attract a number of high calibre global development and investment partners. Due to the size and complexity of the project we are seeking partners with previous experience in delivering similar large scale development projects."

Airport City already has significant backing as it is the focal point for Manchester's wider Enterprise Zone and benefits from financial incentives and reduced planning restrictions to support growth. Infrastructure is already in place following recent major investments, providing excellent multi-modal transport connectivity, including a major mainline rail station and public transport interchange - with a workforce of 5.2 million within a one hour commute. The site has several direct access points to the UK motorway network placing a consumer market of 25 million and 60% of all UK businesses within two hours drive time. A new £300 million Enterprise Zone tramline is also under construction.

Due to its growth potential and strategic position within the UK, Manchester and its airport already has significant links to other global hubs. With the third largest Chinese community in Europe, Manchester is in the unique position of already having a very strong relationship with what is Asia's largest economy and the second largest in the world. Manchester Airport is the sister airport of Beijing Capital International Airport - the second largest in the world - and the most important aviation hub in China, handling 74 million passengers, providing a gateway to hundreds of other destinations in the Far East. Last year, more than £4 billion of business was struck between China and the North West of England.

Manchester is known throughout the world for its football teams, with more than 70 million Manchester United supporters thought to live in China alone. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a member of the ruling family of Abu Dhabi in the UAE, recently made a £1 billion investment into Manchester City Football Club. Etihad Airways, a flag carrier of the UAE, has its European Contact Centre in Manchester; and has sponsored Manchester City FC since 2009.

Manchester Airport is the UK's third busiest carrying around 20 million passengers annually, with flights to more than 200 global destinations Over 6.5 million people (8% of the UK population) live in Manchester and the North West area, accounting for 11% of UK GDP. Football helps to contribute to tourism revenues, adding c.£10 billion to the region's economy and attracting 29 million visitors per year.

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For more information contact the M.A.G press office on 0161 489 2700 or email press.office@manairport.co.uk

About the tender
CBRE, the leading global property advisor, has been appointed to manage the tender process on behalf of M.A.G - and developers and investors are now able to register their interest in the project by contacting Colin Thomasson at CBRE via www.airportcity.co.uk/investment. The registration process runs until 21 January 2013.

Manchester Airport's parent company M.A.G has submitted plans for the £650 million development of a major new commercial location - including offices, hotels, manufacturing centres, retail outlets and leisure facilities - to attract global businesses to the North West, creating 11,400 jobs.

Airport City Manchester is the core element of the Government designated Enterprise Zone surrounding the UK's third busiest airport. It aims to compete with existing airport city and 'aerotropolis' projects outside the UK, such as at Munich, Barcelona and Amsterdam; which are attractive to multi-national companies that require business space in a location that gives them highly accessible to a both major city and the global marketplace

The outline planning application is for the comprehensive, phased redevelopment of a 65 acre area of land to the north of Manchester Airport's terminals and railway station. Currently a mix of scrubland and temporary airport car parking, the site is bordered by the M56 spur road and Woodhouse Park area of Wythenshawe. The proposals comprise:

- 1.2 million square feet of offices
- 530,000 square feet of advanced manufacturing space
- Around 1,300 new hotel beds
- 62,000 square feet of ancillary retail
- Extensive new public realm and open-space, including a new 13 acre central park area
- New multi storey car parking spaces and cycle spaces
- A wide landscaped 'green bridge' over the M56 spur road to provide pedestrian access and a new iconic gateway

The site will be one of the most accessible in the region. Motorway access is via J5 of the M56 and a new landscaped 'green bridge' will bring the Airport's terminals and public transport interchange within walking distance. The Airport Station offers train, coach and bus services across the North and a 14.5km Metrolink extension is under construction and will link Airport City to Greater Manchester's successful tram network by 2016. The Airport also provides international air connections to over 200 destinations worldwide. These transport locations make the site uniquely placed to attract global businesses and companies who need to move people and goods across the world.

The project aims to attract inward investment and provide new employment opportunities for Wythenshawe residents. Employment, education and training programmes are underway to maximise the use of local labour and supply chains. Jobs during the construction phases will be in addition to 11,400 new jobs, ranging from higher-level/skilled occupations to intermediate/entry level roles. Initiatives such as the successful Airport Academy and M.A.G's sponsorship of nearby Manchester Enterprise Academy - where it feeds into the curriculum to equip people with the required skills to access jobs at the Airport - will also be extended to Airport City.

M.A.G's Airport City Director, John Atkins, said: "Airport City will attract investment from international businesses and become a catalyst for the wider long term regeneration of Wythenshawe, with the creation of thousands of new jobs. It brings a world-class commercial product that is sustainable and innovative to the UK for the first time - this presents Manchester with a unique opportunity add to its offer as a major European business city and will enhance the airport's reputation as an economic hub and a global gateway to the UK.

"The aim is to create a modern business destination that makes full use of infrastructure already in place and the majority of workers and visitors will not drive to Airport City - instead they will walk, cycle, take a tram, bus, train or a plane. We have been working on this project for six years, examining airport cities across the world and how Manchester can successfully apply the concept. The planning submission demonstrates the progress we have made in the past 12 months and is a major step forward towards starting work on site."

The centrepiece of the proposed development is a new 13 acre central park, surrounded by a 'downtown' district of distinctive contemporary new buildings and high quality public areas. New retail and amenities will occupy the ground floor level of key buildings to create a 'high street', including: shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, crches, health and medical centres, dry cleaners, gym and leisure facilities. The supporting amenities will enable the development to be self-sustaining, generating footfall and will benefit residents in the surrounding areas.

New community facilities are also planned to help promote the use of the area during evenings and weekends - this could include outdoor space for music, performances or small markets. A range of hotels will be spread across the site to further promote 24 hour activity and will include new conference, event and catering space. Airport City will also have prioritised super-fast broadband connectivity, a benefit of the Government Enterprise Zone designation. Information centres, a bicycle hub and public art work will also feature.

A natural habitat corridor, linking the central park area and other off-site green spaces including Painswick Park, will also be formed by rerouting small streams that run through the site and existing trees where possible will be retained and bolstered with new native planting to encourage wildlife. A landscaped buffer zone will be created along the southern edge of the residential area of Woodhouse Park. The proposal does not require the acquisition or demolition of any properties.

The outline planning application for the 'North' Airport City area was submitted to Manchester City Council and follows extensive pre-application public consultations in the local area by M.A.G. Members of the public can view the application on the Council website.

Last month M.A.G received outline planning approval for the £100 million World Logistics Hub development, next to junction six of the M56 and the existing airport freight area. The 'South' Airport City area of the Enterprise Zone, it will provide 1.4 million square feet of logistics space and 36.6 acres of new landscaping and natural habits - with the creation of 1,800 jobs.

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For more information - or to request hi-res CGI images - please contact the M.A.G press office on +44 (0)161 489 2705 or press.office@manairport.co.uk

Notes to editor:

- Manchester Airport is the only major UK airport other than London Heathrow with two full-length runways. It serves 20 million passengers annually to around 200 destinations, with spare capacity to further establish its role as the direct long-haul gateway for the North.

- M.A.G (Manchester Airports Group) is the largest UK-owned airport operator, serving 24 million passengers and handling almost half a million tonnes of air freight every year through its ownership and operation of Manchester, East Midlands and Bournemouth airports. M.A.G's three airports and property business contribute more than £3bn to the UK economy and support over 86,000 jobs.

- Manchester-based 5plus Architects worked on the plans along with Drivers Jonas Deloitte and Jones Lang LaSalle, Urban Strategies Inc. Altrincham-based Planit are designing landscape and public realm areas, while AECOM and Davis Langdon are advising on transportation, energy, utilities, sustainability and cost consultancy. Global property advisor, CBRE, is also assisting M.A.G in the procurement of a delivery partner for the project.

- In February 2012, Abu Dhabi-based airline, Etihad Airways, opened its European Contact Centre at Manchester Airport, selecting M.A.G Property's Grade-A office development, Voyager. It was selected ahead of seven competing European cities, including Brussels and Dublin. Other businesses already located within close proximity of the Airport City development site, include the global headquarters of PZ Cussons; Swedish investment bank, Handelsbanken; and a new bio-medical headquarters for Waters Corporation.

- Airport City will create a total around five million square feet of new business space over the next ten to 15 years - including World Logistics Hub and other sites within the Airport's operational area. Further information is also available at: www.airportcity.co.uk

- The wider Manchester Airport City Enterprise Zone totals 116 hectares, anchored by Manchester Airport and University Hospital South Manchester (UHSM). In addition to M.A.G's Airport City projects, is also include proposals for a MediPark at UHSM, Wythenshawe town centre and a series of smaller, surrounding, opportunity sites - all linked by the new Metrolink extension. In total it will create up to 20,000 new jobs over the next 15 years.

An outline planning application for the development of a £100 million World Logistics Hub at Manchester's Airport City Enterprise Zone has been approved.

Creating up to 1.4 million square feet (sqft) of new logistics space the development will generate more than 1,800 new jobs for local people over the next ten years - in addition to jobs created during the construction process.

The site is within Manchester Airport's operational area and is located next to Junction 6 of the M56 motorway, close to the existing airport freight area. The application site totals 91.2 acres, of which around a third - 36.6 acres - is dedicated to new landscaping and natural habitats.

The outline planning application was submitted by M.A.G, the parent company of Manchester Airport, in August 2012 following extensive public consultations.

The application was approved at the Planning and Highways Committee meeting of the local authority, Manchester City Council, held on 22nd November 2012.

M.A.G's Airport City Director, John Atkins, said: "World Logistics Hub will attract new international businesses and help existing airport businesses to expand, generating much-needed economic growth and over 1,800 new jobs. The development will create a sustainable commercial product of international significance, providing high quality logistics facilities linked to the existing airport freight area, with access to the global marketplace - along with 60% of all UK businesses and a consumer market of over 24 million within a two-hour drive time.

"We already have significant international interest in the scheme and today's planning approval is a big step forward towards starting to deliver new employment opportunities for local people."

The development will include a mix of medium- and small-sized logistics units ranging from approximately 7,500 to 200,000 square feet in size, designed and constructed to the highest possible BREEAM and LEED environmental standards.

Primary access to World Logistics Hub will be via and improved A538 Wilmslow Road, with junction upgrades made at Sunbank Lane. It will also benefit from the existing plans to improve Runger Lane, plus improvements to Junction 6 and the M56 itself.

The introduction of 36.6 acres of new landscape features and natural habitats, such as woodland and hedgerows, will link with the Airport's existing landscape and habitat management area that includes public nature trails already enjoyed by walkers and many local people - extending the area to some 1,112 acres in total.

World Logistics Hub will combine with the Airport's existing cargo facilities at the adjacent World Freight Terminal to create a world-class logistics district, providing a full range of air-to-road transfer, assembly and processing activities for freight forwarders and other logistics business; with easy access to the Airport's apron, train station and the UK motorway network.

The existing World Freight Terminal is home to five industry-leading cargo handling companies and around 50 freight forwarding and logistics providers, as well as airline offices, sales agents and EU approved Border Inspection Post facilities - with more than 1,000 people employed on site.

World Logistics Hub will improve international trade, cut transit times and drive more efficient, sustainable supply chains. It could also potentially help to boost new future export opportunities for Greater Manchester - such as those potentially arising from the commercialisation of wonder-material Graphene and the initiative to revive Britain's textile trade in Manchester with a re-born Cottonopolis.

Manchester's £650 million Airport City scheme, including World Logistics Hub, is the focal point of Greater Manchester's Enterprise Zone, designated by the Government in 2011 in recognition of its potential to attract investment, create jobs and boost the economy locally, regionally and nationally. Airport City Manchester will deliver up to five million square feet of new business space over the next ten to 15 years and aims to create a highly-connected commercial location that is unique to the UK and attractive to international businesses, to compete with similar airport city projects in places like Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dusseldorf and Copenhagen.

Greater Manchester's wider 116-hectare Enterprise Zone - which also includes MediPark at University Hospital South Manchester, Wythenshawe town centre and a series of smaller, surrounding, opportunity sites - will create up to 20,000 new jobs over the next 15-years. A new Metrolink extension through South Manchester to Airport City via Wythenshawe is currently under-construction; and alongside the Airport's existing public transport links will ensure that jobs created at the World Logistics Hub and across the wider Enterprise Zone are highly accessible.

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For more information contact the MAG press office on +44 (0)161 489 2705 or press.office@manairport.co.uk

Government figures show how the North West depends on good air links.

As the economy struggles to recover, the importance of air links to businesses in the North West has been made clear today, with figures available for all 39 local authorities1.

The analysis showed that in the North West:

- Goods worth £7.3bn were exported by air last year.

- 323,600 people work in tourism, a sector heavily reliant on air travel and international visitors.

- 375,866 people are employed by foreign-owned companies dependent on good air links for location and trade.

The analysis was carried out by the Aviation Foundation using Government statistics focusing on tourism, inward investment and exports. The aviation industry directly employs 220,000 people nationally but it is the thousands of businesses, from factories to B&Bs, which depend on the services provided by this workforce.

The Aviation Foundation has launched the Great British Flying Test campaign2 to highlight to politicians and communities the importance of aviation to the local economy. The campaign includes a film made in the town furthest away from a major international airport, showing how even here a striking number of local people rely on aviation.

CEOs of major airlines and airports represented by the Aviation Foundation backed the campaign. Willie Walsh of International Airlines Group, owner of British Airways, Colin Matthews of Heathrow, Charlie Cornish of M.A.G, owner of Manchester Airport and Steve Ridgway of Virgin Atlantic came together to say:

"Local businesses across the North West and the UK desperately need world-class air links. Britain has been a proud pioneer in aviation but we are in danger of taking this for granted and falling behind our better-connected competitors.

"We want to see a greater number of politicians championing aviation. Our Great British Flying Test campaign will be showing them how many of their constituents' jobs depend on aviation and we look forward to discussing the results with them in the run-up to the next election."

Watch the film at www.greatbritishflyingtest.co.uk

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For further information:

Robert Gray, Executive Director, Aviation Foundation
robert-gray@aviation-foundation.org

or call the Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or email press.office@manairport.co.uk

Teenagers from local schools and young cancer survivors will be strutting their stuff under the wings of Concorde at the first spectacular charity prom themed fashion show, 'Runway on the Runway'.

The event at Manchester Airport's Concorde Visitor Centre, taking place 21st March 2013, is the brain child of Cheshire mum of four, Margo Cornish who was inspired by a combination of her own daughters' enthusiasm for attending prom and her work as a volunteer for the charity Make-A-Wish Foundation UK working with teenage cancer patients.

Since the concept was created Margo has enlisted the support of big name stores, global fashion brands as well as top shoe, hair and make-up brands and local firms to stage the event free of any costs meaning every penny raised will go directly to the charities, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Teenage Cancer Trust and Medcare, the airports own charity.

"As a mother of healthy, vibrant teenagers I find it especially poignant meeting teenagers with cancer which is why I wanted to raise money and awareness of the issues they face by creating an event they could relate to," explained Margo, producer of Runway on the Runway.

With prom as the theme, the event aims to grab the imagination of every teenage girl in Greater Manchester providing an ideal opportunity to raise awareness about the difficulties facing some of their peers who have been diagnosed with cancer.

Lucie Carrington, a former patient at the Teenage Cancer Trust's unit at the Christie was diagnosed at 15 years old with Ewing's sarcoma which is a rare bone and soft tissue cancer affecting her left arm. Lucie, now 23 years old and in full remission, is a healthy young woman actively involved in the Teenage Cancer Trust as well as playing a big part in Runway on the Runway.

Lucie said: "I was diagnosed in the middle of my GCSEs and the prospect of not being with my friends, who I had grown up with at our prom was devastating so when I heard about Runway on the Runway, I totally understood the concept. Prom has become an iconic part of teenage life and to use it as a hook to support both fundraising and creating awareness of those charities that supported me is an incredible idea, I'm thrilled to be part of it."

A highlight of the evening will be a special runway featuring current and former young cancer patients, sponsored by Harvey Nichols. One of the models will be 15 year old Olivia Cork who recently lost her right leg to an aggressive form of bone cancer. Taking part in this event has given Olivia the motivation and determination to gain full mobility using her new artificial leg. This event is particularly special for Olivia, who is one of triplets as she will be attending her own prom in 2013.

Central to this unique event will be a catwalk under Concorde where models, recruited from local schools, will showcase the latest prom fashion from Lipsy, Forever Unique, Vicky Martin, BCBG Max Azria, Little Mistress, Sherri Hill, Mori-Lee, Ted Baker and Coast, as well as shoes by Kurt Geiger. Their make-up will be by Bobbi Brown and hair by Essensuals Toni & Guy. All participants who are modelling at the event will be treated to special master-classes on hair, make-up and runway technique.

There will be a competition for budding prom dress designers to create a prom dress with the finalists attending a special master class with Manchester designer, Vicky Martin who will coach them on how to take their designs from the drawing-board to the cutting room. There will even be the chance to have their own designs modelled on the catwalk during the event.

Margo, who used to work as a Senior HR Manager in the NHS, said: "Runway on the Runway isn't just about making one night when Manchester will sparkle, the next six months leading up to the event will provide opportunities for teenagers to learn new skills. Today's employment market for young people has never been so challenging. For any young person wanting to aim for a career in retail, fashion, beauty or design, their involvement in Runway on the Runway will surely give their CV the X factor."

Applications are currently being taken for schools in Greater Manchester to get their students involved in the event until the middle of November. To find out more details on Runway on the Runway visit www.runwayontherunway.co.uk.

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

Notes

Photography and HD video footage of models practicing catwalk on Manchester Airport's second runway plus interviews with Margo Cornish, Lucie Carrington and Olivia Cork are available on request. E-brochure also available. Visit www.runwayontherunway.co.uk and www.facebook.com/runwayontherunway for more details.

Please note that Make-A-Wish does not use phrases such as 'terminally ill' in order to respect the sensitive nature of life-threatening conditions and what they mean to children and young people and their families. We would ask that this approach is followed and that the term 'life-threatening conditions' is used in material for publication.

Make-A-Wish should be referred to as Make-A-Wish Foundation UK in the first instance. Thereafter 'Make-A-Wish' or 'Make-A-Wish Foundation' is suitable. We would ask that you try to keep 'Make-A-Wish' on the same line.

Make-A-Wish grants magical wishes to children and young people fighting life-threatening conditions. The charity was founded in the UK in 1986. Registered charity number: 295672/SC037479 www.make-a-wish.org.uk.

www.teenagecancertrust.org
http://www.medcare.org.uk/

Paperchase, the UK's top contemporary stationery and card retailer are delighted to be opening its first store in a major UK Airport. The Store in Manchester Airport will be opening its doors on the 28th September in Terminal 1. The store will occupy a 1,200 sq ft unit in the main shopping concourse.

Paperchase, which has over 100 outlets in the UK as well as stores in Europe and the Middle East, is firmly established as the top destination for customers looking for design-led stationery, cards for every occasion and giftwrap as well as quirky gift ideas. Paperchase is a strong creative brand, offering variety and inspiration.

Much of the merchandise is exclusive and the distinct collection includes cards, wrap and ribbons, designer stationery, home accessories, storage solutions, bags and travel accessories, wedding albums and stationery and a diverse gift selection.

Beth Brewster, Retail Director at Manchester Airport, said: "It is fantastic that Paperchase have chosen Manchester as their first airport store. We want to ensure that we offer an increasingly diverse range of retail options suited to the airport environment for the millions of passengers who use Terminal 1. We believe that Paperchase will prove popular with the variety of customers and staff on site, who can choose from an interesting range of products on offer."

The Manchester Airport store will be hosting exclusive travel products including laptop cases, iphone covers, luggage belts and luggage labels. Even more reason to stop by the new store.

Timothy Melgund, Chief Executive, Paperchase, added "We are delighted to be opening our first airport store, especially in Manchester where we already have a flagship store and loyal customer base. Paperchase provides a wide variety of innovative and design led products that are perfect as gifts or practical purchases for travelers on the go."

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For further information, product images and to discuss possible promotions please contact either Jo Walsh on jow@paperchase.co.uk tel: 0207 467 6223 or David Howard on pr@paperchase.co.uk tel: 0207 467 6218.

For more information from Manchester Airport, contact the press office on 0161 489 2700 or email press.office@manairport.co.uk

Following on from the success of last year's 'Manchester Rocks' event, Manchester Airport is planning two further travel trade events in Chester and Leeds on the 25th September at Chester Racecourse starting at 6pm and then at Aspire, Leeds on 26th September at 6pm.

The aim will be to engage with the local leisure and business travel agents to increase awareness and sales, making Manchester the airport of choice within its larger catchment area.

The airport wants to win back passengers from other airports in the region as it looks to build its low cost offering in competition with them. Many travellers who are currently living within the two hours catchment area for Manchester are choosing to use other airports.

The evening will bring a selection of Manchester's airline and tour operator partners together with the local travel trade; giving airlines and operators who do not have representatives on the road a chance to meet a mix of around 200 key travel agents in the areas of Leeds and Chester.

In the last 12 months, Manchester has seen steady growth in passenger numbers which has resulted in an 8% increase compared with 2011. Manchester has seen also see an increase in market share, where other airports in the North West have declined.

Bev Ridyard, Head of Aviation Marketing for Manchester Airports Group (MAG), said: "The events we have held within the Greater Manchester area were a huge success and we can attribute that to the increase in market share for Manchester. We now want to increase that awareness and that's why we are moving into our wider catchment area. Cheshire and Yorkshire are hugely important regions as they're in close proximity to our location. It's important for us and our airlines that the travel trade know about Manchester and what we can offer the business and leisure passenger.

"The events will offer opportunities to strengthen existing and new relationships with business and leisure travel agents in each area, driving awareness of current products and services available. Manchester might not currently be first choice for passengers in those areas and we want to change that."

The format of the evenings will provide a 'market place' of fun activities, food and refreshments. Each airline and tour operator has their own stand to showcase their Manchester offering to agents.

Spaces are now very limited so to book a place for you and a colleague please email Jennifer.lam@manairport.co.uk

ENDS

For more information please contact the MAG press office on 0161 489 2700 or email press.office@manairport.co.uk

Manchester Airport's ambition to secure a direct route to China has taken a further step forward by supporting Manchester's world-famous Halle Orchestra, as they announce their first tour to China and link up with a UKTI trade mission that aims to increase exports from the North West.

Senior executives from Manchester Airports Group (MAG) and The Halle will be visiting China in October to promote the North West region. They have also joined forces with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) to help promote the region's businesses and potentially boost business relationships between the two countries.

UKTI, the government body which encourages British businesses to trade abroad, is looking for SMEs in the North West who want the chance to join the trip on a trade mission to China. Businesses that sign up may be eligible for government grants to help with travelling costs. They will have the opportunity to attend a reception at the British Ambassador's residence in Beijing, and Halle performances at the Poly Theatre and Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing.

UKTI will help companies who join the trade mission to identify potential customers or partners in China, and to arrange meetings to sign up new business.

Clive Drinkwater, UKTI's Regional Director in the North West, said: "The Halle is renowned across the world and I'm sure the opportunity to meet some of the musicians, or to see a live performance, will be an extra incentive for Chinese businesses to do deals with firms in the North West.

"China is already one of our biggest customers but there's still a lot more potential to increase exports to the country. The trade mission is open to all industries but may be of particular interest to the services sector, which currently makes up 44% of the Chinese economy.

"I'd encourage firms who are already doing a small amount of business with China, or who think there might be a market for them in the country, to sign up to the mission and help boost their exports."

MAG, who also own two other airports in the UK (East Midlands and Bournemouth), is increasingly looking to growth markets in the Far East as its looks to widen its route network and a direct passenger service between Manchester and China is a strategic ambition for both MAG and its North West partners. MAG recently signed a partnership agreement with UBM Aviation, the owners of Airport Strategy & Marketing Ltd (ASM) and Routes, as part of its strategy to broaden the airline network into the growth market of Asia and they are providing advice and support in Asia as MAG looks to grow its offering.

In 2011, Manchester was named the sister airport to Beijing Capital International Airport - the second largest in the world, which handles 74 million passengers a year while also acting as a gateway to hundreds of other Far East destinations. MAG is also aiming to attract global firms to Airport City - the £650m Enterprise Zone project on the Manchester Airport site that is expected to create more than 10,000 full-time jobs in the region over the next 10-15 years.

Ken O'Toole, Chief Commercial Officer for MAG said: "We want to provide direct connectivity to China for the 200,000 thousand passengers who currently have to hub via London and beyond, this trade mission is an important step forward as part of our wider plans. Trade with China from the North West continues to increase so we are delighted to continue to support the world-renowned Halle Orchestra and showcase what the North West has to offer at the same time. Manchester airport is the North West's international gateway and we have much to offer airlines as they look to service this growing market. A direct service will be beneficial to the whole of Greater Manchester and every SME wanting to expand into the Asia Pacific region from the North."

Manchester is already home to the third largest Chinese population in Europe as well as enjoying trade links that were worth over £4bn in 2010. The city's Universities also attract the largest number of Chinese students all of which show the potential for growth and further investment through closer direct links.

The Halle is delighted to be embarking on its first tour of mainland China. The three concerts - two in Beijing and one in Tianjin - offer the Orchestra the chance to bring their music to completely new audiences and to fly Manchester's flag in the world's most exciting new market. Their visit to China, with the UKTI trade mission, will showcase the excellence of Manchester's cultural and business institutions.

Halle Music Director and Principal Conductor Sir Mark Elder said: "This is an important and exciting opportunity for the Halle, which would not have been possible without the long-term support of our principal sponsor Manchester Airport. In these challenging times, the close relationship between the Halle and Manchester's business community - which has existed from the Orchestra's first concert 154 years ago - is more important than ever."

Companies can find out more about joining the trade mission to China by calling UKTI North West on 0161 875 2328 or emailing events@uktinorthwest.co.uk


ENDS

For more information, contact the MAG press office on 0161 489 2700 or email press.office@manairport.co.uk


Note to Editors:

Businesses that sign up to the trade mission will spend 11 days in China, from 6 to 16 October, visiting Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai.

Manchester Airport is the largest airport outside London with over 190 destinations served by 65 airlines. Manchester Airport is part of the Manchester Airports Group plc (MAG), which is the second largest airport group in the UK and is made up of three airports - Manchester, East Midlands and Bournemouth - and currently handles more than 23 million passengers every year. For more information please visit www.manchesterairport.co.uk

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) is the Government department that helps UK-based companies succeed in the global economy. We also help overseas companies bring their high quality investment to the UK's economy - acknowledged as Europe's best place from which to succeed in global business. UKTI offers expertise and contacts through its extensive network of specialists in the UK, and in British embassies and other diplomatic offices around the world. We provide companies with the tools they require to be competitive on the world stage. For more information on UKTI, visit www.ukti.gov.uk or telephone +44 (0)20 7215 8000.

The Halle was founded in Manchester by Sir Charles Halle in 1858, the Halle gave its first concert in the city's Free Trade Hall on 30 January of that year. Sir Mark Elder became Music Director in 2000. The Halle performs over 70 concerts a year in The Bridgewater Hall, its Manchester home, as well as making over 40 appearances annually throughout the rest of Britain. Last season over a quarter of a million people heard the Halle, of which more than 44,000 were inspired by the Halle's pioneering education programme. Generating over 65 projects a year, it exists to create a wider enjoyment and understanding of music throughout the whole community. The Halle is a registered charity. For more information please visit www.halle.co.uk

Manchester Airport has confirmed today that its trial of "naked" body scanners will end in October when testing will also begin on a new generation of privacy friendly security scanners.

The current body scanners will initially be replaced by five next generation security scanners. In line with Government policy, these include a feature which automatically processes images of passengers using a system that eliminates the need for an airport security officer to view the ghost-like body outlines that made the airport's body scanners famous.

The new machines, manufactured by L3, scan passengers using radio frequency-based millimetre wave technology rather than the low dose x-rays used by the current back scatter body scanners. A computer analyses the scans and tell airport staff where to look for hidden objects using a stick figure diagram.

A similar technology is used in safety systems to identify humans or objects that have fallen onto subway rail tracks in the United States.

Despite a panel of independent European health experts unanimously concluding in March that there was no evidence that backscatter body scanners posed health risks, Airport bosses say its current trial will close in six weeks because legislation from Brussels excludes the technology.

"We're baffled by this situation because health experts say they are safe plus the overwhelming majority of our passengers and security staff prefer body scanners to frisking and it's frustrating that Brussels has allowed this successful trial to end", said Andrew Harrison, Chief Operating Officer at MAG, Manchester Airport's parent company.

"Our security surveys and those run by the Department for Transport show passengers regularly rate their experience at Manchester as one of the best security processes in the UK if not Europe.

"There's no doubt that body scanners play a big part in these results. That's why we are once again investing in new next generation scanner technology where the human examination of images is automated."

Five new security scanners in total will start to be installed across all three terminals and transfer lounges at Manchester Airport from 1 October 2012 in a trial expected to last three months.

Airport bosses are hopeful that the trial will be a success so that it can invest in more machines. In the meantime, an additional 55 full time security staff will ensure that the current high levels of security and customer service are maintained through a combination of frisking and security scanners.

ENDS

For more information, please contact Manchester Airport Press Office on 0161 489 2700 or press.office@manairport.co.uk

Manchester Airport, Siemens, Sembcorp and Nissan are some of the 34 businesses that have successfully bid to design the vocational training programmes they need to grow and create tens of thousands of opportunities for young people, Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced. They are the first round of winners taking part in the Employer Ownership Pilot (EOP).

They will receive a share of £60 million and will more than match the funding by investing a combined total of £80 million. Included within the round one projects are radical proposals from Siemens, Arla Foods UK and BAE Systems to train employees not just within their own company but also within their supply chains.

Others include Manchester Airport's proposal to create an academy for school leavers, offering 1-2-1 coaching, employability skills, work experience and qualifications. Nissan is addressing skills shortages in the automotive industry by designing 14 training programmes for over 3000 staff, within the company and at local suppliers.

The announcement was made as part of the Government's Industrial Strategy. Launching the strategy at Imperial College, Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "This fund underlines our commitment to strengthening the economy and making sure that the UK workforce has the skills that businesses need. "On a recent fact finding trip to Germany I saw first hand how forward thinking companies were enjoying the benefits of training their supply chain companies so I am particularly excited that we have received a number of bids to do the same in the UK. "The breadth and scope of these projects show how central skills are to our long-term competitiveness, across all sectors and in all corners of the country. I am delighted that these employers have taken this challenge."

Skills Minister Matthew Hancock said: "Britain must have the skills Britain's employers need. "By giving businesses the chance to shape and set their own training agenda, we're giving them the power to enrich their workforce with the skills needed for their future success."

As well as supporting businesses and giving them the confidence to invest and grow, the Employer Ownership Pilot will create life-changing opportunities for thousands of young people. The first round of co-investment is expected to generate:

-11,000 apprenticeships, including 4500 for 16-18 year olds

-18,500 full time equivalent non-apprenticeship vocational training opportunities

-45,000 other learning or training opportunities, including work experience and work placements

Charlie Mayfield, Chairman of the UK Commission for Employment and Skills, which is overseeing the scheme, said: "We want to encourage employers to take the lead in designing, developing and delivering the training and employment solutions they need. "I am delighted that so many employers submitted high quality bids to do just that, and I look forward to us supporting more of these in future rounds of the scheme."

Wendy Sinfield, Community Relations Manager for Manchester Airport, said: "As one of the largest employers in the region we are committed to providing the skills and training to get young people into the world of work, through our links with the community. Thanks to the funding from the Employee Ownership Pilot (EOP) we will be creating an offshoot of our successful Airport Academy, run in conjunction with Stockport College, which has been designed specifically for under 19's from Wythenshawe."

The Young Persons Skills Academy will offer a number of apprenticeships at the airport, provide tailor-made mentoring opportunities and give key employability skills to youths from one of the most deprived wards in Europe. It will allow us to continue our work with partner organisations to increase the employability of local students especially in deprived areas and to enhance education in our local community."

The Employer Ownership pilot will give businesses access to up to a total of £250 million over two years, with more successful bidders being announced in October, and a further bidding round to be launched in the autumn.

ENDS

For more information, contact the Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or email at press.office@manairport.co.uk

Key Performance Measures
M.A.G today announced its full year results for the year ending 31 March 2012, including improvement across most of the Group's Key Performance Measures:

*Market Share relates M.A.G's share of the UK market, excluding Heathrow Airport
**Operating Profit is stated before significant items
***ROCE is derived from operating profit pre-significant items as a percentage of Average Capital Employed. It is calculated on an historical basis
****Free Cash Flow is Net Cash from Operating Activities less Maintenance Capital Expenditure

Chief Executive, Charlie Cornish said:

"This year has been a period of transformation for M.A.G during which we have delivered strong performance against stretching targets in the context of tough global trading conditions for the aviation sector. It has been a great start on our journey towards becoming the premier airport services business"

In a challenging economic climate, M.A.G has grown its share of the UK aviation market by 0.4% to 15.8%, increasing passenger numbers across the group by 1.5m to 24.0m, which represents the first annual increase since 2008.

Revenue has grown to £373.2m, an increase of 8.6% on the prior year, reflecting growth in both aviation and commercial income. Revenue growth was strong, even after adjusting for the impact of the volcanic ash cloud which disrupted air services in the UK during Spring 2010. Adjusting for this, revenue growth was £23.9m (6.8%) higher than the prior year.

Aviation revenue follows the increase in passenger volumes through new and more frequent routes and more airlines. Commercial income reflects growth in retail and car parking revenues, driven by new offers, such as the 'fast track' security product, 'pre-book', 'valet', and 'meet and greet' parking products. Retail revenue has benefitted from a focus on maximising space with short term lettings and 'pop-up' concessions.

The largest airport in M.A.G's portfolio, Manchester Airport, increased revenue to £282m, up 9.5% on 2010-11, with passenger numbers growing 1.4m to 19.1m and representing twelve months of consecutive growth. EBITDA rose 13.5% to £126.9m as a result of the improved revenue and effective cost control.

Manchester delivered ten months of consecutive market share gains during 2011-12 by introducing new carriers and securing further growth from existing airlines. Aviation revenue increases were driven by growth from Middle Eastern long haul and routes provided by low cost carriers.

Retail income has benefitted from the introduction of a number of new retailers, including Next, Jo Malone, and Bobbi Brown. The airport also benefitted from a number of pop-up retailers, including Pandora, InStyler, Oakley, and Radley.

The airport saw continued growth in car park services, particularly from pre-book, meet and greet and valet products.

East Midlands Airport performed well, generating over £50m of revenue, up 3.5% on last year with passenger numbers growing by 4.1% to 4.3 million, despite challenging market conditions. The airport continued to see strong airline performance throughout the year, remaining a successful base for charter operators and continuing to drive growth from its low cost operators. Lufthansa's decision earlier this year to review future options for bmibaby will undoubtedly impact in the short-term but the airport has successfully secured agreements with other carriers to more than offset this impact from 2013.

Cargo and freight remains an integral part of East Midlands Airport, the largest airport for pure freight and the second busiest cargo airport in the UK, handling over 300,000 tonnes in 2012, remaining broadly in line with 2011 levels.

Shortly after the end of the year, and as part of a wider strategy to improve efficiency and operating flexibility, East Midlands Airport insourced its security operation comprising over 300 staff. Benefits to operating efficiency are expected to be generated in the current financial year as a result.

Trading conditions for Bournemouth Airport have been particularly challenging over the past two years, as airline operators have consolidated into larger airports. There are however signs that market conditions are now strengthening and the airport is seeing positive indications that growth will return from both the full service scheduled and low cost sectors. Aer Lingus regional have started operating a service to Dublin six days a week in summer 2012 alongside a three-times-per-week service by Blue Island to Guernsey and Jersey.

The reduced level of current trading activity resulted in an impairment provision of £38.5m being made against the airport's property, plant & equipment during the year although its management is confident about increasing passenger volumes and profit levels given the encouraging progress made in securing new routes and services.

As the smallest airport in the Group's portfolio, with annual passenger volumes around 275,000, M.A.G has believed for some time that the best long-term operational model for Humberside Airport was with a new owner. After receiving an offer for its 82.7% shareholding in the airport earlier in the year, M.A.G took the decision to sell its interest and the sale completed in August 2012. The airport has been included as a 'discontinuing operation' in the Group's 2012 results, and a one-off impairment loss of £15.6m has been incurred relating to the write-down of the airport's assets to the realisable value.

MAG Developments, the Group's property and facilities management arm, manages a property portfolio valued at over £350m, yielding a property income which has grown by £4.4m during the year to £31.4m. In January 2012, George Osborne formally launched the £650m Manchester Airport City project which is aimed at transforming Manchester Airport from a regional transport hub into a global business destination in its own right, over the next ten to 15 years, building on the Enterprise Zone status awarded for the area by the Government in 2011.

The Group also completed the new £22m Radisson Blu hotel at East Midlands Airport. Two of M.A.G's airports (East Midlands and Bournemouth Airports) became the first airports in the UK to announce carbon neutral ground operations during the year. M.A.G first made the commitment in 2006 and has over the past six years invested in innovative techniques and projects aimed at reducing energy usage and championing renewable energy. Manchester Airport has invested £2m in energy saving projects over the past 12 months, resulting in a 16% reduction in electricity usage and the airport is on course to achieve the target of carbon neutral ground operations by 2015.

Summarising, Charlie Cornish, said: "M.A.G has grown strongly in the year and the journey to becoming the premier airport management and services company is underway.
"Although the general economic backdrop is not favourable, the Group is positioned to take advantage of airline growth opportunities, which will allow the continued out-performance of the UK passenger market, ensuring that this profitable growth drives better product offerings commercially and greater efficiencies."

ENDS

For more information, contact the MAG press office on 0161 489 2700 or email press.office@manairport.co.uk

The chosen theme for this year's Manchester Pride festival is 'Queer'd Science', in honour of the centenary of Alan Turing's birth. Turing was a mathematician and the founding father of modern cognitive science, leading to his ground-breaking research on Artificial Intelligence, and instrumental in deciphering Enigma, the code which protected German radio communications during the Second World War. He was awarded with an OBE for his work and made a Fellow of the Royal Society.

The bursary, which will be granted to a student wishing to continue their studies in computer sciences at any educational institution within the United Kingdom, has received the full backing of the Turing family. The prize will be judged by representatives from Manchester Pride, Manchester Airport, easyJet, and the Turing Centenary board.

Manchester Pride CEO John Stewart said "The Alan Turing Bursary is a marvellous foundation for any student wanting to advance their future career in this exciting and continually evolving field, and I welcome easyJet and Manchester Airport's support, as well as the endorsement of the Turing Centenary committee and his family. As Manchester is the site of Alan Turing's pioneering work in Artificial Intelligence, and the birthplace the modern computer, it was felt that the award would be a fitting tribute to Turing's enduring legacy".

Carolyn McCall OBE, easyJet's chief executive officer, said: "The Alan Turing Computer Science Bursary is a fantastic opportunity to support creativity in the field of computer science. We're really proud to be associated with the event and I'd like to wish all the entrants the best of luck in securing this invaluable opportunity."

Charlie Cornish, Chief Executive for the Manchester Airports Group (MAG), said: "Our joint sponsorship of the Manchester Pride festival, alongside one of our largest airlines, easyJet allows us to demonstrate our commitment to the LGBT community as we prepare to welcome thousands of international visitors to the region over the Bank Holiday. We are pleased to further cement this commitment by working together to launch the Alan Turing bursary and are pleased to support this move to carry on his legacy."

A form stating terms and conditions will be available on the Manchester Pride website. The closing date for entries is midnight 31 October 2012, with the eventual winner contacted on or before midnight 31 November 2012.

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

Manchester Pride

Manchester Pride is an award-winning festival for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people. Pride Fringe will run from 17 - 27 August, with the Big Weekend running from 24 - 27 August 2012. Tickets for the Big Weekend are available from the manchesterpride.com website, or by ringing 0871 230 3450. Manchester Pride is a registered charity, raising money for LGBT and HIV charities and organisations in Greater Manchester.

easyJet

easyJet has been serving the city of Manchester and the North West of England for many years and it launched its base in Manchester in 2008. In the last four years its presence at Manchester Airport has more than trebled and it now provides passengers with access to 26 routes across Europe and the Middle East. Its most recent new routes are to Basel, Switzerland and Tel Aviv, Israel which both begin operating this autumn. easyJet operates Europe's No. 1 air transport network with a leading presence on Europe's top 100 routes and at Europe's 50 largest airports. easyJet flies on more than 600 routes between over 130 airports in 30 countries. More than 300 million Europeans live within one hour's drive of an easyJet airport, more than any other airline. The airline takes sustainability seriously. easyJet invests in the latest technology, operates efficiently and fills most of its seats which means that an easyJet passenger's carbon footprint is 22% less than a passenger on a traditional airline, flying the same aircraft on the same route.

Manchester Airport

Manchester Airport is the largest airport outside London with over 190 destinations served by 65 airlines. Manchester Airport is part of the Manchester Airports Group plc (MAG), the largest British owned airport group in the UK and is made up of three airports - Manchester, East Midlands, and Bournemouth - alongside the property side of the business, MAG Developments. The Airports currently handles more than 23 million passengers every year.

For more information, contact the Manchester Airport Press Office on 0161 489 2700 or via email at: press.office@manairport.co.uk

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has submitted an outline planning application for the development of a £100m World Logistics Hub in the southern part of Greater Manchester's Enterprise Zone at Manchester Airport.

Creating between 1.2- to 1.4-million square feet (sq ft) of new logistics space, the proposed Enterprise Zone development will generate more than 1,800 new jobs for local people over the next ten- to 15-years, in addition to jobs associated with the construction process.

World Logistics Hub will combine with the Airport's existing cargo facilities at the adjacent World Freight Terminal, to create a world-class logistics district.

The proposed development programme is for a mix of medium- and small-sized logistics units ranging from approximately 7,500 to 200,000 square feet across a 36.9-hectare (91.2-acre) site next to Junction 6 of the M56 motorway, and close to the existing airport freight area. The new buildings will all be all designed and constructed to the highest possible BREEAM and LEED environmental standards.

Arranged around a simple road system with two primary landscaped boulevards, World Logistics Hub will provide a full range of air-to-road transfer, assembly and processing activities for freight forwarders and other logistics business with easy access to the Airport's apron, train station and the UK motorway network.

The proposals also include 14.8-hectares (36.6-acres) of new landscaped areas and habitats surrounding the site, which will link with the Airport's existing successful landscape and habitat management area, to ultimately create a network of rich and varied natural habitats extending to some 450-hectares (1,112-acres).

John Atkins, MAG's Airport City Director, said: "This scheme will create a sustainable commercial product of international significance that will provide high quality and well-connected logistics facilities with access to the global marketplace and a population of over 24m people within a two-hour drive time. This connectivity will create an exceptional opportunity to improve international trade, cut transit times and drive more efficient, sustainable supply chains whilst supporting the local community, increasing employment opportunities and stimulating economic activity in the North West."

Primary access to World Logistics Hub will be via the A538 Wilmslow Road, with junction upgrades made at Sunbank Lane. It will also benefit from the existing plans to improve Runger Lane and increase the capacity of Junction 6 of the M56 to accommodate airport traffic.

Manchester Airport is the UK's fourth busiest airport by flown cargo volumes, carrying over 107,000 tonnes of import and export freight and mail in 2011. Handling freight-only aircraft, as well as cargo carried in the holds of passenger planes, World Freight Terminal is currently home to five industry-leading cargo handling companies and around 50 freight forwarding and logistics providers, as well as airline offices, sales agents and EU approved Border Inspection Post facilities. It currently provides a total of 675,000-sqft of warehouse and office accommodation, with more than 1000 people employed across the 57-acre site.

World Logistics Hub is located in the southern part of Greater Manchester's Enterprise Zone. Designated as an Enterprise Zone by the UK Government in March 2011, it is centred on the Airport City project, which aims to transform Manchester Airport from a regional transport hub into an international business destination in its own right, attracting global businesses that would not have otherwise located in the region, or even the UK.

The £650m Airport City scheme - the first of its kind in the UK - was unveiled by Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, in January 2012. Around 1.5 million sq ft of office space; 650,000 sq ft of advanced manufacturing; around 2,500 new hotel beds; and up to 100,000 sq ft of retail and leisure, will also be developed on land surrounding Manchester Airport's public transport interchange and to north of the M56 spur road. This northern Airport City zone will be linked to the passenger terminals and the coach, bus and rail hub by a series of wide landscaped green bridges, based on New York's elevated urban park, the Highline.

The wider 116-hectare Enterprise Zone - which also includes MediPark at University Hospital South Manchester, Wythenshawe town centre and a series of smaller, surrounding, opportunity sites - will create up to 20,000 new jobs over the next 15-years. A new Metrolink extension linking Wythenshawe and the Airport to the wider network is currently under-construction; and alongside the Airport's existing public transport links will ensure that jobs created at the World Logistics Hub are highly accessible.

The outline planning application, submitted to Manchester City Council, follows pre-application consultations by Manchester Airports Group with local residents and businesses. For more information see: www.airportcity.co.uk

-ENDS-

For more information contact the MAG press office on +44 (0)161 489 2705 or press.office@manairport.co.uk

The future of Humberside Airport was today secured as the Manchester Airports Group (MAG) sold its 82.7% shareholding to Eastern Group for an undisclosed sum.

North Lincolnshire Council will retain its minority stake in Humberside Airport leaving 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 have been informed of MAG's decision.

With annual passenger numbers of 275,000, Humberside Airport's aviation activities include scheduled and charter passenger services, freight, as well as being home to the second largest airport based heliport serving the North Sea offshore industry, aircraft maintenance, pilot training and a variety of other specialised niches.

Commenting on the move, MAG Chief Executive, Charlie Cornish, said: "MAG has believed for some time that the best long-term operational model for Humberside Airport was with a new owner that could focus on taking the business forward into the next phase of its development.

"The Eastern Group specialises in aviation related activities and we are delighted that our former colleagues at the airport will now have a new owner who can concentrate on developing the business."

Bryan Huxford, Chairman of Eastern Group, said: "We are making a strategic financial investment acquiring Humberside Airport. The airport has potential for growth, and under the present airport management team, supported by Eastern Group, will develop in accordance with the business plan already in place."

Cllr Liz Redfern, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: "These measures are vital in helping secure a viable future for Humberside Airport.

"There are a number of unique opportunities to deliver jobs and growth and support, and underpin further investment in the area. The airport has a fantastic business park with huge potential. Its location is perfect with easy access to the ports and South Humber Gateway - vital to the future success of our region.

"Working together, we will do all we can to attract further investment and development to North Lincolnshire and create more jobs for local people to secure a promising future."

The change of ownership will mean it is business as usual for Humberside Airport employees, airlines and passengers, as the current airport management team will continue to manage the operation.

MAG acquired a majority stake in Humberside Airport in 1999 for £10 million and since then, over £7 million has been invested. In April 2008, MAG began an eight month review of its shareholding in Humberside Airport, but it was retained within the Group's portfolio of airports because of a combination of positive business developments and a worsening economic climate.

Although the value of the deal will not be disclosed by either party, MAG believes that today's deal with Eastern Group represents the best possible outcome both for its business, Humberside Airport and its new owners.

The Corporate Finance team at law firm Pannone advised Manchester Airports Group (MAG) on the sale. Partner Steven Grant led the team at Pannone which included Tom Hall, Harriet Sutherland, Amy Chandler and Victoria Dolan.

ENDS

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) Press Office:
Tel: 0161 489 2700
Email: press.office@manairport.co.uk

Eastern Group Press Office:
The Big Partnership 01224 615003
Email: shona.hendry@bigpartnership.co.uk

North Lincolnshire Council Press Office:
Tel: 01724 296353
Email: Sarah.Howe@northlincs.gov.uk

Manufacturing and technology, media and telecoms (TMT) are the leading sectors in attracting business travellers to Manchester and the North West, according to research from Deloitte and Manchester Airport.

The study, based on detailed interviews, is the first of its kind to look at which industries drive business travel into the airport and the North West.

Deloitte and Manchester Airport's research, which included some 280 interviews, found that 22% of travellers were visiting companies in the manufacturing sector, with 16% in TMT. Other leading sectors among business visitors were energy and resources and consumer business (both 12%).

However, perhaps surprisingly, among the areas with fewer visitors in the study sample were financial services, infrastructure and capital programmes and healthcare and life sciences.

Other highlights of the research findings include:

- 62% of those interviewed were visiting businesses in the North West, with Yorkshire accounting for 20%

- 21% of those flying into Manchester Airport were visiting from the United States. Germany (17%) and Ireland (10%) were the next most popular countries of origin

- 35% of those interviewed said they were visiting the UK for three to five days, with 24% flying in for two days. 15% were visiting for a week

As well as confirming the strength of the North West's manufacturing industry, the joint study also supports the view that the region has a rapidly-developing TMT sector, exemplified by growth clusters including MediaCityUK in Salford Quays, the Sharp Project in Manchester and Liverpool's gaming community.

The research points to the US, Germany and Ireland as key trading partners. with relatively few business visitors from the BRIC nations of Brazil, Russia, India and China. This is broadly in line with Civil Aviation Authority passenger survey data, which is collected on a continuous basis.

Jo Ahmed, director in Global Employer Services at Deloitte in the North West, who led the research, said: "This is the first study of its kind carried out at Manchester Airport and it is fascinating in what it tells us about business visitors to the North West.

"As well as confirming what we knew about the strength of the North West's manufacturing sector, it also backs up the evidence suggesting that the region is nurturing an increasingly significant reputation in TMT. These are key areas to be leading the field in as they provide well-paid jobs and high levels of gross value-added.

"Perhaps unsurprisingly, many more visitors are from 'old world' economies like the US and Germany than from emerging powerhouses like China, Russia and India. It demonstrates that we must continue to press the case for key transport links between the North West and those economies that will fuel world growth in the next 20 years.

"We are intrigued to see how the data will develop as we continue to carry out the surveys on a regular basis as part of our relationship with Manchester Airport."

Roger Westerbeek, Manchester Airport's Head of Customer Relationship Management, said: "With passenger numbers continuing to grow and the arrival of Airport City in 2030, it is vital that we understand the needs of our outbound and inbound business travellers.

"Airport City will attract global firms to the area, allowing us to widen our route network to the Far East and other new economies. Understanding our customers through studies of this nature then allows us to plan our products and services for the future.

"I look forward to working with Deloitte to see the results of the next survey and understand how we will apply the data to benefit passengers."

Some 280 business travellers from outside the UK were interviewed in departure lounges at the end of business trips and were asked their final destination. The study was carried out during June and July 2012.

Deloitte and Manchester Airport plan to carry out the business passenger research on a twice-yearly basis to track significant changes in the data.

ENDS

Media contacts:

For Deloitte:
Chris Hopper @ MC2 - 0161 236 1352 or chrish@mcmc.co.uk

For Manchester Airport:
Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or press.office@amanairport.co.uk

Thousands of visitors are expected at Manchester Airports Runway Visitor Park this weekend to witness a unique gathering of planes, trains and automobiles, as the Hangar that houses the retired Concorde is transformed into a giant transport memorabilia and exhibition centre.

Now in its fourth year, the Manchester Airport Aviation and Transport Fair is one of the biggest of its kind in the world, with visitors expected from across the UK and as far afield as Holland, Switzerland, Germany and Dubai.

Aviation and transport enthusiasts, societies and traders will be selling all sorts of vintage memorabilia and collectibles including model aircraft, old posters, timetables, advertisements and steam engines in the hangar under the wings of the worlds most famous aeroplane, Concorde

One trader even specialises in airsickness bag with some (unused!) sick bags of airlines from years-gone-by, such as Laker Airways and Pan Am now considered collectors items, valued at anything from £5 to £10 each.

Other examples include: a first class cutlery set from Pan American Airlines valued at upwards of £50; a 1950s BOAC Cigar box worth £25; a Laker Airways Captains hat valued at £10 and oil paintings of Concordes last landing at Manchester signed by the Captain trading for around £150. One of the largest and most expensive items on offer is a spare Olympus engine from a Concorde with offers over £1 million likely to be considered from any willing buyers.

Exhibits on display inside the hangar will include six full-scale model railways depicting actual stations and villages in North West of England, alongside a giant Scalextric track, which will be available for visitors to race; and demonstrations of Air Navigation Radar equipment.

Outside the hangar, over 200 classic cars dating back to 1914 will be on display around the Runway Visitor Park, alongside special novelty shaped hot air balloons, a diesel train engine, vintage fire engines, busses and military vehicles which served in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

For younger transport enthusiasts, the author of the children's story books Fergus and Friends, Steve Burnside, is attending the event, along with Fergus the tractor.

Members of the UK Cockpit Club will also be exhibiting their treasured aircraft flight decks which range from an RAF Tornado to an HS 748 aircraft built at Woodford Aerodrome. The former BAe Chief Test Pilot, Mr Robbie Robinson, will be reunited at the Fair with the aircraft he first flew on delivery to Trinidad and Tobago Airlines over 30 years ago.

Glenn Wheeler, Secretary of The Aviation Society (TAS), which organises the event in conjunction with Manchester Airport, said The Aviation and Transport Fair is a fantastic day out for the whole family, attracting visitors from far and wide. There is always a large queue on opening, with people on the lookout for rare items and memorabilia, particularly from airlines that are sadly no longer around. In addition to the more specialist side of things for collectors, this year we have more exhibits and exciting things for everyone to enjoy than ever before, regardless of whether you are a seasoned aviation enthusiast, or a first time visitor.

All of the Runway Visitor Parks permanent exhibits - including the iconic supersonic airliner Concorde, a retired RAF Nimrod, an Avro RJX; a DC-10; and a retro Trident airliner will also be open to the public for viewing. Visitors will also be able to watch aircraft landing and taking-off on Manchester Airports busy runways, with a live loud-speaker commentary provided by one of Manchesters Air Traffic Controllers.

Entry to the Concorde Hangar and Memorabilia Fair is £2.00, with free entry for children-under-14. Throughout the weekend money will be raised for local and national charities including: Help for Heroes, Child Flight and St Annes Hospice.

The Runway Visitor Park is located next to Manchester Airports runways, off Sunbank Lane in Altrincham, Greater Manchester just two minutes from Junction 6 of the M56 motorway. www.runwayvisitorpark.co.uk

The Manchester Airport Aviation and Transport Fair takes place this Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th July 2012 at the Runway Visitor Park, Greater Manchester, with the Park open from 08:00 to 20:30.

For more information see www.runwayvisitorpark.co.uk

-Ends-
For further information contact fair@tasmanchester.com and 0784 504 3273 or Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 and press.office@manairport.co.uk

Notes to editors:
The standard car parking costs at the Runway Visitor Park apply, at £3 an hour and a flat charge of £12 for coaches and for visits lasting over 3 hours. The Park is free for visitors who arrive on foot, by bicycle, or on public transport. A shuttle bus runs between the Park and the airports bus, coach and railway station.

Runway Visitor Park attraction recently gained official recognition as a tourist attraction by VisitEngland, the national tourist board, under the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme (VAQAS).

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has signed a partnership agreement with UBM Aviation, the owners of Airport Strategy & Marketing Ltd (ASM) and Routes, as part of its strategy to broaden the airline network into the growth market of Asia.

UBM Aviation specialises in the supply of data and information products, market intelligence, news and events related to the global aviation industry. MAG will use advice from UBM Aviation to help grow its influence on the route network, as they have their own expert team based in Asia.

MAG owns and operates four airports in the UK at Manchester, East Midlands, Bournemouth and Humberside. MAG also runs the property development firm MAG Developments, of which Airport City at Manchester is one of the major projects currently being delivered. It is expected to turn the site into a global business destination over the next ten to fifteen years.

The route network has been in the ascendancy over the last 13 months with Manchester rising to the position of third largest airport in the UK ahead of Stansted, after seeing a year of passenger growth as airlines have added more connections. For the last two Summers, Manchester has had more new routes launches than any other airport in the UK. During that time, Emirates have brought in an A380 to serve their Dubai route and increased to three daily services while Thomson Airways recently announced their intention to fly the Boeing 787 Dreamliner to Florida and Mexico as part of the Summer 2013 programme.

Ken O'Toole, Chief Commercial Officer for the Manchester Airports Group (MAG), said: "In a difficult market place, our aviation team have worked hard to deliver growth back into the airports we operate. Manchester has seen over a year's worth of positive performance, which has seen large number of passengers return to fly from our airports. Alongside our airlines, we've given them the services and frequencies that they require and that has seen some large airlines choose Manchester over the likes of other airports. We want to continue that upward trend and UBM will be an important partner in the delivery of that objective. We have our eyes fixed on growth areas of the globe, of which the Asia-Pacific region is core, and we believe that we have much to offer airlines as they look to service the UK market."

MAG is increasingly looking to growth markets in the Far East as its looks to widen its network. In 2011, Manchester was named the sister airport to Beijing Capital International Airport - the second largest in the world. The airport is already the main hub in China and handles 74 million passengers a year whil also acting as a gateway to hundreds of other Far East destinations.

From links with new economies of this nature, MAG is also aiming to attract global firms to Airport City - the £650m Enterprise Zone project on the Manchester Airport site that is expected to create more than 10,000 full-time jobs in the region over the next 10-15 years.

Tony Griffin, Senior Vice President at ASM, said: "ASM is delighted to be working with MAG in its pursuit of new direct services to Asia and hopes to help deliver some route success. ASM is uniquely placed with its unrivalled relationships with the airlines decision makers; and together with its locally based expertise in China and Asia makes for a powerful team to achieve success for the MAG."

Airport Strategy & Marketing Limited (ASM) was founded in 1993, when the discipline of airport marketing was still in its infancy. It has grown rapidly since then with clients worldwide. ASM is headquartered in Manchester, UK and has numerous office locations around the world. ASM's team is drawn from the "sharp end" of route development, with expertise in all key markets - full service, low cost, cargo and charter with regular dialogue with airline network decision-makers. ASM has vast experience of data manipulation and a wealth of analytical capabilities supporting route development.

ENDS

For more information, contact the Manchester Airports Group (MAG) press office on 0161 489 2700 or email press.office@manairport.co.uk

LS travel retail UK & Ireland is delighted to announce the opening of the first Lonely Planet store in the UK at Manchester Airport. The opening was celebrated in the presence of one of Lonely Planet's founders - Tony Wheeler - on Thursday 5 July 2012.

Fin Casey, Managing Director of LS travel retail UK & Ireland, commented: "It's a great feeling to finally be standing in this fantastic new store. I'd like to commend both my own team, the Lonely Planet team and our brand partners who have been working so well together to bring this special concept to Manchester Airport. I'm looking forward to seeing it become a reference point for travellers using Terminal 1 as their gateway to the world."

Beth Brewster, Manchester Airport's Retail Director, said: "I'm delighted that Lonely Planet and LS travel retail have chosen Manchester Airport to open only their second store worldwide in our flagship terminal. We want our passenger's holiday to start the moment they arrive at Manchester Airport and this new store with its digital interactive hubs and inspirational travel products will allow them to plan for their current trip or dream about their next one. Being able to take advantage of the extensive travel knowledge that the Lonely Planet team have is therefore bound to be a huge hit with the millions of passengers travelling through Terminal 1 in the coming year."

Shona Gold, Sales & Marketing Director, Lonely Planet, said: "The Lonely Planet store is a truly unique space, combining inspiration and helpful advice for travellers alongside the entire Lonely Planet catalogue. We're delighted with how it has turned out and look forward to hearing what travellers think."

The 100 sq m store is located in Terminal 1. Based upon the original Lonely Planet store operated by LS travel retail at Sydney Airport, the Manchester store offers the full range of Lonely Planet books, a selection of travel products and engages with passengers through interactive technology, an innovative store design and world class service. Lonely Planet's team of expert staff in-store are available to provide travel advice and tips to passengers who use Terminal 1.

Amanda Purkiss, Lonely Planet Store Manager, welcomed the opening, saying: "We are really happy with the look and feel of the store. Our in store travel experts have covered the world between them; there's only Russia, South America and the Poles left for them to visit! We are well-placed to help all kinds of travellers, from the experienced to aspirational, and look forward to spreading the 'travel bug' throughout Manchester and the world beyond."

ENDS

Notes

LS travel retail UK & Ireland is a subsidiary of LS travel retail EMEA - a division of the Lagardre Services group.

Lagardre Services operates nearly 2,000 travel retail stores in 20 countries across the world, including a presence at over 130 airports and 700 stations. It is a major Duty-Free and Luxury player, and the channel's leading News & Convenience retailer.

LS Travel Retail EMEA operates almost 500 stores at over 70 airports in a dozen countries across Europe and includes Aelia, the core Duty Free and Luxury competence and branding centre. LS Travel Retail EMEA offers the full range of Travel Retail concepts: it is the leading News & Convenience travel retailer in the region and the operator of the Relay concept; the company also operates multi- and mono-category Duty Free stores (eg. Aelia Duty Free, BuY PARIS DUTY FREE), multi and mono-brand fashion stores (eg.Your Fashion Store, Hermes, Longchamp), specialty gift stores, gourmet food stores (eg. Hediard), as well as Food & Beverage outlets (eg.Trib's).

LS travel retail UK & Ireland's operations include Tax & Duty Free and Specialty retail in London Luton, London City, Glasgow and Belfast International airports, a Longchamp boutique in Terminal 1, London Heathrow, a Watermark Books store at Kings Cross and a RELAY store at Cannon St stations, as well as Tax & Duty Free and Specialty retail on board four vessels in the Irish Ferries fleet.

Lonely Planet is the world's leading travel publisher. Started in 1973, Lonely Planet enables curious travellers to experience the world and get to the heart of a place via guidebooks and ebooks to almost every destination on the planet, an award-winning website, a suite of mobile travel products, television programming, Lonely Planet Magazine and a dedicated traveller community. Visit us at www.lonelyplanet.com

Media contacts

For more information, contact Katy Gough, Press Officer, in the Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 3446 or via email at katy.gough@manairport.co.uk

Manchester Airport has announced digital and branding agency, Creative Spark, will be playing a major role in its Summer marketing campaign during 2012.

The campaign is a crucial point in the airport's calendar of activities for the year ahead as they look to promote a variety of commercial activities - including new airline deals, retail offers within terminals and car park packages across its three terminals at Manchester Airport.

Jo Street, Head of Commercial Marketing for Manchester Airport, said: "We were really impressed with the creativity that the team at Creative Spark showed and how they are prepared to push the boundaries through their work.

"We are still a predominantly leisured based airport with a wide variety of passengers - all interested in different options when they fly from Manchester, so the brief is wide ranging.

"I know our passengers are always interested in the best deals and savings from the airport and Creative Spark will play a vital role in getting the message out there."

Manchester recently assumed the position of third largest airport in the UK for passenger volume ahead of Stansted Airport and behind Heathrow and Gatwick. It will fly over 19 million passengers this year to their destinations from the North of England.

There is much to promote this Summer as the airline network at Manchester continues to grow with over 190 destinations served around the world including Dubai, Singapore, Atlanta, New York, Las Vegas and Paris.

The team at Creative Spark's Manchester office - which won the account - will be looking to promote some of the deals attached to the route network, but also highlight the options across all of the airport's car parks - including Valet, Meet and Greet, Long Stay, Short Stay and the low-cost Jet Parks brand.

Additionally they will look to promote the airport's wide range of retail offers and savings from major brands such as Jo Malone, Bobbie Brown, Next, Monsoon, Kurt Giger as well as the airport's Escape Lounges in Terminal 1 and 2.

Creative Spark has worked with Sony Music, Universal, Peter Kay, Manchester United and Galaxy FM, amongst others, on a variety of campaigns including branding and digital projects. They will begin on the Airports Summer campaign but will also assist in the delivery of the Winter campaign.

Neil Marra, Director at Creative Spark: "The Manchester Airport & East-Midlands Airport campaign is a fantastic coup for Creative Spark as this is a heavyweight, national campaign and the creative we've produced is a pioneering breakthrough for the M.A.G brand.

"The campaign approach is one of 'glocalisation' - thinking in terms of global markets but communicating to audiences from a local perspective and initial responses to the creative from media partners and audiences alike has been wholly positive."

Creative Spark are currently working on an outdoor campaign that will visit cities in different locations across the North, in Manchester's catchment area that will launch soon.

ENDS

For more information, contact the Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or via email at press.office@manairport.co.uk

Medcare, charity partner for the Manchester Airports Group (M.A.G.), received a £70,000 boost this week thanks to a Summer Ball fundraiser on Friday 1st June.

Nearly 400 business people from M.A.G.'s partner companies and supply chain attended the glamorous night that was designed to raise vital funds to build an extension to the Wellspring Children's Medical Centre in rural Uganda.

Guests enjoyed fantastic food, drink and whole host of raffle and auction prizes up for grabs at the night held at the Hilton hotel, along with entertainment by leading sports commentator and TV presenter Gabby Logan.

The extension to the Wellspring Medical Centre will allow nearly 20,000 more people in the nearby area to get treatment for life threatening diseases. Thanks to the money raised at the gala dinner the first bit of construction will now start next month.

Charlie Cornish, M.A.G. Chief Executive, said: "Thanks to the generosity of our partners and guests, we have raised a huge amount that will allow us to begin work immediately on extending Medcare's Wellspring Children's Medical Centre.

"This is a credit to the event's sponsors Thomson/First Choice, KMP, Mitie, and World Duty Free along with those airlines that donated flight tickets including Brussels Airlines who are our partners on the whole Medcare project because of their extensive African network. What we have achieved together at the Summer Ball will transform the lives of thousands of children in part of the World where a child's quality of life can seem like a lost cause."

Medcare is run by Pauline Hutchinson who retired as a GP to set up the charity, which has already transformed the lives of thousands of children by developing Wellspring Medical Centre. 50% of Uganda's population is under 14 years and 2 million are orphans. Malaria is the biggest killer of Ugandan children because without treatment children often die within the first 24 hours of illness.

20,000 children have been treated at Medcare's Wellspring Medical Centre since 2008 with every one living in extreme poverty, often having lost one or both parents. Medcare's Wellspring Medical Centre is the only treatment centre exclusively for children in the area and saves thousands of lives every year.

Prizes on the night included a pair of business class tickets to China with Turkish Airlines, framed Brazil Shirt signed by Pele, drinks reception for 16 people in the new Air Traffic Control tower at Manchester, and an original, hand drawn picture by the great Harold Riley, protege of Lowry and local lad.

ENDS

For more information and images please contact the Manchester Airport Press Office on 0161 489 2700 or email press.office@manairport.co.uk. For images taken during the event please visit www.facebook.com/manairport

For more detail on Medcare and its work in rural Uganda please visit: http://www.medcare.org.uk

We would like to thank our generous sponsors:

Platinum Sponsor
http://www.tuitravelplc.com

Gold Sponsors
http://www.kmp.co.uk
http://www.mitie.com
http://www.worlddutyfree.com

Thanks to our Airline partners for donating flight tickets:
http://www.qatarairways.com
http://www.virgin-atlantic.com
http://www.canadianaffair.com
http://www.united.com
http://www.flytap.com
http://www.flybmi.com
http://www.finnair.com
http://www.lufthansa.com
http://www.icelandair.co.uk
http://www.blueislands.com
http://www.flybe.com
http://www.aurigny.com
http://www.brusselsairlines.com

It is taking one of the tallest cranes in Europe to put the finishing touches to the structure of Manchester Airport's newly constructed £16 million air traffic control tower.

The crane was needed to lift the 168 tonne sub-cab section up 60 metres in the air, before being guided to its finished position on the top of the tower shaft, to give the tower its finished effect on the Manchester skyline.

The sub-cab is the equivalent size of a four-storey detached house and has been built on the ground before being hoisted up by the super crane and permanently placed on top of the newly built tower shaft.

It took six smaller cranes to assemble the finished 90 metre tall crane in order to enable it to carry out the works. The crane was brought in on 25 articulated lorries to the site. The super crane will lift the sub-cab onto the column, with two 'banksmen' sitting on top with radios, charged with guiding the two 10mm guide rods into place. The sub-cab will be home to several departments within the airport including fire watch and apron control who guide aircraft to their gates. The sub-cab is the section that gives the tower its iconic look.

The sub-cab will be lifted as a skeleton shell and then the exterior works such as cladding and getting the windows in place will come once it is in its final position hung nearly 60 metres from the ground.

To ensure safety there will be a 90 metre exclusion zone in place around the tower and the north fire station will be moved to a remote location, so even the main taxiways at the airport - Alpha, Delta, Charlie and Fairies Apron will be out of use.

Andrew Harrison, Manchester Airport's Chief Operating Officer, said: "After all the hard work and planning everyone is very excited that the final piece of the puzzle will be put in place. There is still plenty to do until the tower is ready for use and operational but the installation of the sub-cab is putting the finishing touches to an iconic element of our airport that will take pride of place on the Manchester skyline. By using this impressive super-crane, it will ensure that the job is done safely and quickly."

The control tower shaft took just nine days to rise from the ground up to its current height of 60 metres. A team from construction and infrastructure company, Morgan Sindall, poured concrete continuously for 222 hours which saw the new control tower shaft increase in height at an average rate of around 27cm an hour.

This method of pouring concrete into a continuously moving form is known as 'slipform' and is the same construction technique that was used to construct the famous CN Tower in Toronto.

Dave Smith, managing director at Morgan Sindall, says: "This is a very exciting project to be a part of and we're delighted to have reached such a significant stage in the development. Morgan Sindall has a strong track record in the aviation sector and we're currently on site at nine of the UK's 15 major airports."

Due to be completed and operational in Spring 2013, Manchester Airport's new ATC tower is pre-let to NATS, the UK's leading air traffic control company, which will relocate its existing Manchester air traffic control centre from its current location on top of the Tower Block building in between Terminals One and Three at the airport.

Paul Jones, NATS General Manager Manchester, said: "We have had the best view of the new tower construction and have watched with interest while the cab has been built alongside it. We are keen now to get inside the building and start fitting it out with all the latest air traffic control equipment to ensure that Manchester has a tower it can be rightly proud of."

ENDS

For further information and photographs please contact the Manchester Airport press office via email at press.office@manairport.co.uk or on 0161 489 2700.

Notes to editors

To access the time-lapse footage of the build, go to www.lobstervision.tv and use username: atc and password: atc

The UK's leading Pride event and the country's largest airline have announced that easyJet, in partnership with Manchester Airport, will be the lead sponsor for Manchester Pride this year.

Manchester Pride 2012 will take place between Friday 17 and Monday 27 August. This is the first time easyJet has sponsored Manchester Pride and more than 40,000 daily visitors expected to attend the Big Weekend this year.

Ali Gayward, UK Commercial Manager, commented;

"We are delighted to be the headline sponsor of Manchester Pride, in partnership with Manchester Airport. The festival is one of the largest and most popular events in the City's calendar and easyJet is proud to be sponsoring this year's event.

"Through the sponsorship easyJet will help to make this year's festival the most successful yet. We will help market the event to millions of our passengers and will be flying in thousands of people from all over the UK and across Europe to join the celebrations."

John Stewart, Chief Executive of Manchester Pride, added:

"We are proud to welcome easyJet on board as our first headline sponsor. It's great to have the backing of such a well known brand and confirms Manchester Pride's place as the UK's leading LGBT festival. Support from easyJet and Manchester Airport will help us realise our ambition of continuing to raise funds to support LGBT and HIV charities here in Greater Manchester."

Manchester Airport will be sponsoring the Festival for the second time and has previously entered an aircraft-themed float in the parade that saw several of its employees taking part in the celebrations.

Stephen Turner, Aviation Commercial Director for the Manchester Airports Group (MAG), said: "We're delighted to be linking up with Pride again on the sponsorship of the festival and also pleased to be joined by one of our largest airlines, easyJet. The LGBT community in Greater Manchester has been a positive voice in our region for many years and the festival has become an important date in our calendar as it brings many international visitors to our city. "

easyJet operates 242 flights a week to and from Manchester Airport to 25 of Europe's top destinations including Berlin, Amsterdam and Athens. The airline has recently announced it will begin service between Manchester and both Basel and Tel Aviv this autumn.

- ENDS -

Press Contacts

Manchester Pride
0161 832 3300
press@manchesterpride.com

Easyjet
Anna.knowles@easyjet.com

Manchester Airport press office
0161 489 2700
press.office@manairport.co.uk

Notes to editors

About easyJet

easyJet operates Europe's No. 1 air transport network with a leading presence on Europe's top 100 routes and at Europe's 50 largest airports.
easyJet flies on more than 600 routes between over 130 airports in 30 countries. More than 300 million Europeans live within one hour's drive of an easyJet airport, more than any other airline.

The airline takes sustainability seriously. easyJet invests in the latest technology, operates efficiently and fills most of its seats which means that an easyJet passenger's carbon footprint is 22% less than a passenger on a traditional airline, flying the same aircraft on the same route.

About Manchester Pride
Manchester Pride is an award-winning festival where lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people celebrate their contribution to the spirit and diversity of Greater Manchester. The festival takes place from 17-27 August 2012. Pride fringe will run from 17-23 August; the Big Weekend from 24-27 August; Pride Parade, 25 August; and George House Trust Candlelit Vigil, 27th August.
Manchester Pride is a registered charity, raising money for LGBT and HIV charities and groups across Greater Manchester. For more information visit our webpage or to buy tickets, visit www.manchesterpride.com

CBRE has been appointed to assist Manchester Airports Group (MAG) in the procurement of an international strategic funding and development partner(s) for the delivery of its £650 million Airport City, the major Enterprise Zone development project, at Manchester Airport in the United Kingdom (UK).

Named by the UK Government as the core proposition of the Enterprise Zone for Greater Manchester last year, Airport City will deliver up to five million square feet (sq ft) of new business space, including Grade-A office accommodation, hotel and leisure uses, retail, manufacturing and logistics space.

The Chancellor George Osborne stated at the January launch that Airport City was one of the most advanced of the UK's Enterprise Zone projects. While in March Charlie Cornish, MAG's Chief Executive, launched the scheme at MIPIM - the international property conference - where he confirmed that MAG is focussed on progressing the scheme this year, securing planning permission and adding road infrastructure on the site.

In support of these objectives, the appointment of CBRE will enable the procurement process to commence by the end of Summer 2012. CBRE are experts in the international property market and will be looking across the globe to help MAG secure the best strategic partner to take the project forward.

MAG's Airport City Director, John Atkins, said: "Standing out as the only airport city in the United Kingdom, this ambitious project is one of only a handful of schemes truly capable of competing on an international level. The expertise of CBRE will assist us in securing a strategic partner to work on Airport City and the Enterprise Zone and provides a statement of our intent in the market place for investors and international occupiers."

The first of its kind in the UK, Airport City builds on the global connectivity offered by the airport location, and will transform Manchester Airport from a regional transport hub into a global business destination in its own right, over the next ten to 15 years. Airport City will compete with similar schemes at Barcelona, Frankfurt and Amsterdam; with the aim of attracting international occupiers that would not previously have located in the Greater Manchester region, or even the UK.

CBRE will provide strategic advice to MAG to support the procurement of a strategic partner - or partners - for the scheme. In order to realise the scale of the ambition, MAG is seeking to secure expertise and experience of international business space delivery, alongside access to international occupiers and large-scale financing capabilities, potentially for the entire scheme, alongside MAG's land ownership and expertise in airport developments.

The CBRE team for the project has global reach and includes Stuart Eisenkraft (Co-Chairman for Global Cities), Tony Martin (Head of Investment Advisory), Rob Silvester (Head of Capital Markets - UK Regions) and Colin Thomasson (Head of North West Capital Markets).

Colin Thomasson welcomed the appointment saying: "We are delighted to have joined forces with MAG in order to identify a strategic funding partner for Airport City, the largest new commercial development in the North West for the next decade. We will be looking for the best partner for this opportunity and will be using our international knowledge of key markets to identify the best fit in order to bring the project to market alongside MAG. It's a large, long-term and unique scheme that we are sure will be of interest to major development partners involved in global development projects."

The wider 116-hectare Greater Manchester Enterprise Zone is estimated to create up to 20,000 new jobs over the next 15 years. The Airport City project will be a focal point of the Manchester offer alongside a Medi-Park development at University Hospital South Manchester and Wythenshawe town centre. The sites will be linked by a new Metrolink tramline, which is currently under construction, and complemented by other development sites in the surrounding area. MAG is working closely with the Enterprise Zone partners including the Local Enterprise Partnership and Manchester City Council to ensure that the benefits brought by the proximity to Airport City spread throughout the connecting sites of the Enterprise Zone.

Since the launch of Airport City in January, demand has been healthy, with interest from 58 countries and around 20 live enquiries across all of the scheme's assets. The full roster comprises 1.5 million sq ft of offices; 650,000 sq ft of advanced manufacturing; 1.5 million sq ft of hotels; 100,000 sq ft of supporting retail and amenity; and 1.4 million sq ft of logistics and warehousing.

For more information, www.airportcity.co.uk is available with further details on the project.

-ENDS-

For more information please contact the Manchester Airports Group press office on 0161 489 2700 or email press.office@manairport.co.uk

Visitors to Manchester Airport will today [17th May] see a new addition to the skies with a Pride flag proudly flying near Terminal 1. The flag has been put in place to visibly mark International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHO) in partnership with The Lesbian & Gay Foundation (LGF) and Gaydio.

Since 2010 Manchester Airport has been a key sponsor of Gaydio, the UK's first dedicated FM radio station for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people. The station has a monthly travel show that is broadcast from the Airport, which covers a range of news and holiday ideas.

Mark Johnson, Manchester Airport's Business Services Director, said: "Our strong relationship with Gaydio over the past two years has further strengthened our links with the LGBT community. We have a history of engaging with diverse communities across the region and internationally so today we wanted to visibly show our support and awareness. We are proud to have a diverse workforce as well as being a key contributor to local employment, a major sponsor of the arts and actively supporting economic and cultural diversity in Manchester and the North West."

'Flying the Flag' is an initiative that provides an opportunity to visibly mark 'International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia' by flying a rainbow flag or marking the day by taking positive action to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans individuals and communities.

Chris Holliday, Gaydio's Breakfast Presenter, said: "It's fabulous that Manchester Airport are flying the rainbow flag for IDAHO. We'll also be broadcasting live from Terminal 2 on Thursday morning, offering an insight into being gay around the world. Guests include Equalities Minister, Lynne Featherstone MP and we'll be crossing live to Russia - where in St Petersburg they've recently introduced anti-gay legislation which bans 'homosexual propaganda'."

By flying the flag it not only raises awareness of the impact that homophobia, biphobia and transphobia continues to have on lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGB&T) people and communities, but shows recognition of the positive contribution of LGB&T people locally.

Paul Martin OBE, Chief Executive of the Lesbian & Gay Foundation said: "Whilst IDAHO celebrates lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans individuals and communities, it's important to acknowledge there is still work to be done and encourage people to take action against homophobia. Homosexuality is still illegal in 76 countries worldwide and punishable by death in 6."

Many lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans individuals, their friends, families and employers often use rainbow flags or rainbow images as an outward symbol of their identity or to show solidarity and support.

The rainbow flag is said to originate from the late 1970's when Gilbert Baker flew a hand-dyed flag in the San Francisco Freedom Day Parade.

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For further information and to request an image please contact Manchester Airport Press Office on 0161 489 2700 or email press.office@manairport.co.uk

Notes to editors

The Lesbian & Gay Foundation (LGF) is a charity offering a wide range of services to lesbian, gay and bisexual communities. The LGF campaign for a fair and equal society where all lesbian, gay and bisexual people can achieve their full potential, and their mission is: 'Ending Homophobia, Empowering People'. For more information, visit www.lgf.org.uk, or call 0845 3 30 30 30

Gaydio is the country's first and only FM service for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people and can be found on 88.4fm across Manchester and online at www.gaydio.co.uk.

News from Boeing that its 787 Dreamliner is visiting Manchester in a fortnight has got Manchester Airport's Runway Visitor Park bosses busy with thousands of people expected to descend on the park to witness the historic flight.

The historic day is all thanks to Thomson Airways, Boeing's first UK customer for the 787 aircraft, which will use the visit as an opportunity to give some of its staff an opportunity to get up close to the aircraft for the first time.

With the visit just around the corner, preparations are now in full swing at the park for the aircraft's visit with everything from how to give enthusiasts a great view to how to manage the extra traffic on local roads being considered.

The special aircraft will be making a flying visit to the region arriving in the evening on Monday 23 April as part of the sixth leg of the Boeing Dream World Tour. On Tuesday 24 April, the aircraft will depart for a short demo flight around mid-morning returning at lunchtime to thousands of spectators.

Andrew Harrison, Chief Operating Officer for the Manchester Airports Group (MAG), said: "The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is the next generation aircraft and we're delighted that Thomson, one of our largest customers, has chosen to bring it to Manchester. It will be really exciting to finally see it touchdown on our runway and we're planning to pull out all the stops to give her thousands of local fans the chance to see her.

"The Runway Visitor Park is used to historic flights that attract large crowds. In 2003, over 25,000 people came to see the final arrival of Concorde and more recently in 2010 when Manchester became the first regional airport to get daily A380 flights, over 10,000 people flocked to the park for its inaugural flight.

The Runway Visitor Park team are also creating a special exhibition with aviation experts on hand to give visitors information about the 787 Dreamliner and what makes it a truly unique aircraft. The park will also be staying open late to accommodate the expected crowds.

The Park, which attracts around 300,000 visitors every year has been voted one of the top tourist attractions for the North West and more recently been granted approval from VisitEngland, and now displays the recognised stamp of approval, the VisitEngland's red rose logo quality plaque.

On the day of its arrival, additional catering facilities will be provided to support the Ringway Restaurant that is located inside the Concorde Conference Centre. Concorde tours, viewing mounds, the Nimrod and the other historical aircraft will also remain on show throughout the day.

The Runway Visitor Park is located next to Manchester Airport's runways, two minutes from Junction 6 of the M56 motorway, off the A538 on Louis Paulhan Way.

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For more information - or further hi-res images - please contact Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or press.office@manairport.co.uk

Summer is officially here for airlines and airports with Manchester Airport once again leading the way with sixteen new routes - the most in the UK to launch this Summer.

Manchester has enjoyed 12 months of successive passenger growth that has seen it become the 3rd largest airport in the UK again after it overtook Stansted Airport earlier this year. Passenger numbers have risen over the 19 million mark for the first time since the recession hit and Manchester has high hopes for a busy Summer ahead.

It's expected to be a busy Easter with over 810,000 passengers using the airport during the Easter school holiday period from 1st April to 16th April. Over a quarter of a million (260,000) travellers have chosen the Easter weekend of Thursday 5th to Monday 9th April to make their getaway.

There are several new routes on offer this year across a range of low-cost, scheduled and long-haul carriers, boosting the destination offering for passengers flying from the North. Ryanair's return to set up their 45th base has seen over 27 routes made available since the end of 2011 and services commencing for the Summer include Biarritz, Beziers, Ibiza, Murcia, Barcelona Reus, Tallinn, Tours and Valencia.

Jet2.com continue a rapid expansion from Manchester with an additional based aircraft to take their contingent up to ten with routes to the likes of Barcelona, Pula in Croatia and Toulouse in France. Easyjet also have routes to city destinations such as Berlin and Madrid and are joined by Lufthansa who have added a service to the new Berlin gateway at Brandenburg.

Following their move to Terminal 2, Monarch Airlines are making themselves a regular flier to the Italian market with new routes to Milan, Venice and Verona in Italy.
On long haul routes, carriers such as Turkish Airlines, the airline sponsor of Manchester United, are increasing from seven to ten services per week through their Istanbul hub helping passengers to access more routes to Asia and Australasia. While flying to the West, United Airlines will start a new service to Washington Dulles from the beginning of May.

Andrew Harrison, Chief Operating Officer for Manchester Airport, said: "With 12 months of consistent passenger growth behind us, we enter our traditional busiest period with lots of optimism and a belief that we can carry even more passengers to the destinations they require; while also encouraging more airlines to set up base here in the North West. The Summer schedule looks impressive and many of our airlines have witnessed the continuing passenger growth here and commenced new services as a result, so we're looking at a initial busy period over Easter and lots more to look forward to as we enter the Summer months."

On its route network, Manchester is already well served to the Middle and Far East by major carriers of the likes of Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Finnair, Pakistan International, Turkish Airlines and Biman Bangladesh. North American routes are also on offer with a variety of airlines that include US Airways, Delta, United, American Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.

While the European network continues to flourish with the likes of Flybe, easyJet, Air Nostrum, Icelandair, Lufthansa, Swiss, Jet2.com, Ryanair, Norwegian, SAS, Air France and KLM. Thomas Cook remains an important part of the network at Manchester with similarly strong operations from the likes of Monarch and Thomson.

Additional car parking has been introduced for the peak season to accommodate the additional levels of traffic and the airport is encouraging users to pre-book via the website to ensure a space is available.

The airport's Escape Lounges in terminals 1 and 2 are open between 5am and 8.30pm for leisure and business passengers looking to start their holidays in style. Priority Pass holders and Airport Angels are also welcome in the Escape Lounges. Passengers looking to pre-book car parking, lounge access or fast track services can do so on the website at www.manchesterairport.co.uk

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For further information please contact the Manchester Airport press office via email at press.office@manairport.co.uk or on 0161 489 2700.

Manchester Airports Group (M.A.G.) has today unveiled its plans for the development of a £650million 'Airport City' at Manchester Airport at the international property conference, MIPIM.

A new film launched at MIPIM by M.A.G. Chief Executive Charlie Cornish, sets out the vision to transform Manchester Airport from a transport hub into an international business destination in its own right:

Working with the in-house team at Manchester Airports Group the video was delivered by Matt Leigh Industries and Assembly Studios.

Matt Fairman, CEO of Assembly Studios, said: "I am from Manchester and have strong links with the city, so I'm absolutely delighted to be involved in this fantastic project. The video was developed in response to M.A.G.'s need to showcase this complex, large-scale development in an effective, progressive and engaging way, to an international audience at MIPIM."

Matt Leigh added: "We've been working hard lately on helping M.A.G launch Airport City to a wider audience and MIPIM's always a great springboard for new digital communications such as this. We're all really pleased with the film we've created, which not only looks good but concisely delivers the key USP's of Airport City. We've also spent a great deal of time ensuring it integrates perfectly with all of the other key collateral we've developed recently, most notably the interactive iPad models and our brand new marketing suite."

Building on the global connectivity offered by the airport location, the 150-acre regeneration scheme will deliver over four-million square feet of new high-quality business premises over the next 15 years, with the aim of attracting international companies that would not previously have located in the region, or even the UK.

Speaking at MIPIM, Charlie Cornish, Chief Executive of Manchester Airports Group (M.A.G.), said: "Undoubtedly, the connectivity Manchester Airport brings to the region positively drives its economic and social prosperity. Airport City is a once in a lifetime opportunity to expand on this, creating an international business destination linked to the global connectivity of the North's major international airport and driven by the region's global offer in terms of academic, scientific and technological credentials, supported by its communications and transport infrastructure.

"Airport City is one of the most important projects for the economy of the UK and will elevate Manchester on an international scale enabling it to compete with other European airport cities like Amsterdam, Barcelona and Frankfurt."

The Airport City project will be a focal point of the Manchester Enterprise Zone proposition, alongside a MediPark development at University Hospital South Manchester and Wythenshawe town centre - sites all linked by a new Metrolink tramline currently under construction - and complemented by a series of smaller opportunity sites in across South Manchester. Becoming fully operational from April 2012, it is estimated that the wider 116-hectare Manchester Enterprise Zone will create up to 20,000 new jobs over the next 15-years.

MIPIM brings together the most influential decision-makers in the property industry and provides access to the largest showcase of development opportunities during four days of uninterrupted activity in Cannes.

The Manchester at MIPIM Partnership is led by Marketing Manchester and is supported by Manchester City Council.

For more information or to register an interest in locating at Airport City, visit: www.airportcity.co.uk

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For more information please contact the Manchester Airports Group press office on +44 (0) 161 489 2700 or email: press.office@manairport.co.uk

Over 16,000 football fans are set to travel through Manchester Airport over the next three days - on 74 flights, as Manchester United welcome Athletic Club Bilbao to Old Trafford and Man City fly out to play Sporting Lisbon, in the UEFA Europa League.

31 arriving flights from Spanish airports Bilbao and Vitoria are due to touch down at Manchester carrying a total of around 6,500 Athletic Bilbao fans. Following their team's Europa League tie against United, 31 flights will depart after the match on Thursday night and into Friday - accounting for a total of around 13,000 passenger movements.

Over the same period, 12 flights between Manchester and Lisbon will carry a total, in the region of 3,000 passengers, as Manchester City fly out to play in the Portuguese capital city of Lisbon.

Manchester Airport's Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Harrison, said: "It's set to be one of the busiest periods of football flights we've seen for quite some time and with passenger volumes having show growth for 12 consecutive months now, this is certainly another timely boost.

"I'm actually a Huddersfield Town fan, so I am totally neutral when it comes to the two Manchester teams - the ideal scenario for us an airport would be for City and United to continue all the way through the competition, until they meet each other in this year's final. It's possibly that Sir Alex and Mr Mancini would perhaps disagree, but with both teams out of the Champions League, the Europa League competition is still great news for the airport and the city of Manchester generally.

"Sport is huge economic generator for the region. Football fans spend a significant amount of money on air transport and accommodation, so along with the airport and the football clubs, the city's hospitality and retail industries are the main beneficiaries of the increased economic activity."

Ticket sales have been high for the visiting Athletic Club Bilbao fans - with the club's initial allocation selling out, an additional 2,000 tickets have gone on sale, resulting in a sudden increase in operations. Scheduled services run throughout the year between Manchester and both Lisbon and Bilbao - operated by TAP Portugal and easyJet, respectively - however due to the increased demand additional charter flights have been put on to carry fans from to and from Manchester.

The airport has also drafted in extra members of staff to ensure it can cope with the additional passengers - with retail outlets in the terminals also stocking up on extra supplies.

Spanish posters will also be positioned around terminals and fans will also be given handouts, written in Spanish, welcoming them to Manchester and advising them of how to travel between the airport and the city, along with suggestions of tourist attractions to visit.

Coach, bus and train operators are also making additional preparations to help the fans make the eight-mile trip from the airport into central Manchester.

In 2008, the City of Manchester Stadium hosted the UEFA Cup Final between Zenit St Petersburg and Glasgow Rangers on May 14th. On the 21st May, over 25,000 Manchester United fans flew out to Moscow to see their team beat Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League Final. An estimated 60,000 football fans travelled through the airport during this period, generating an estimated £4 million for the city's economy.

When Old Trafford hosted 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.

Manchester Airport's Runway Visitor Park is also gearing up for an influx of additional aviation enthusiasts, who will be keen to see some of the aircraft chartered to carry the football fans, make a first visit to Manchester.

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For further information please contact the Manchester Airport Press Office on 0161 489 2700 or email press.office@manairport.co.uk

Manchester Airport is to invest over £1 million in replacing its ageing luggage trolleys, a change that, from April, will see passengers insert £1 or €2 coin to access them, which will be non-refundable.

The new trolleys are lighter, easier to manoeuvre and GPS-enabled allowing 'hot spot' areas to be adequately stocked so there is a trolley available when passengers need one. The current fleet has been in service since the 1990's and were due to be scrapped at the end of the year.

Julie Armstrong, Customer Services Director for Manchester Airport, said: "Since 2007, we've invested over £100 million in creating a modern airport by refurbishing our terminals and upgrading our airfield which is why we are consistently voted as the best in the UK by our passengers. It's also important to get the basics right which is why we are also investing over £1 million in new luggage trolleys.

"But we have to acknowledge that to continue making multi-million pound investments in the airport when the cost of air fares are reducing, means that airports can't continue to provide services like trolleys for free. We know that charging for trolleys will not be a popular decision, which is why we are following the advice of consumer groups and informing passengers before they get to the airport. With around 5% of passengers using trolleys at the moment, this method ensures that only the user pays rather than spread the cost across everyone."

To ensure that passengers know about the new arrangements before they arrive at the airport - as best practice recommends - Manchester Airport will include information on its website, inform airlines and travel agents for bookings and via social media channels so the new charges are well publicised.

All of the trolley vend machines have a change facility, as well as the current change machines located across the airport. You will be able to pay by credit card in all three international arrivals at Manchester Airport. The new trolleys will be introduced on 10 April 2012. Wanzl will provide the new trolleys and Manchester Airport will continue to run the trolley service in-house.

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For further information please contact Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or email press.office@manairport.co.uk

Manchester Airport has been honored at the annual Travel Weekly Globe Awards where it was named Best UK Airport last night beating stiff competition from Heathrow and Gatwick to get the gong.

The awards, which are voted for by travel agents across the UK, are a highlight of the travel industry calendar because Travel Weekly is seen by many as the bible of Britain's travel business.

The glittering event held at the Grosvenor House hotel in London last night (Wednesday 25th January) attracts the best of the UK travel industry competing for its influential awards.

Andrew Harrison, Chief Operating Officer, Manchester Airports Group (MAG), said: "We continue to invest in improving the airport experience for our passengers and despite the difficult economic situation, continue to deliver services to new destinations and additional capacity on existing routes providing increased choice and flexibility for travellers in the North of England. To receive this award is an accomplishment for Manchester Airport as it recognises the hard work of our staff; the successful relationships we maintain with our airline partners - and demonstrates that the travel industry which votes for these awards advocates our approach."

This is the fourth time that Manchester has picked up the best UK Airport award, which remains one of the few award ceremonies where the winners are voted solely by the industry.

Manchester Airport Group's Marketing Director, Caroline Plant, accepted the award on behalf of the airport. The airport was praised by judges for its commitment to customer services, investment in its facilities and security process. The lengths that the airport has gone to reach out to the business travel market and events such as the Diwali celebrations in particular, have not gone unnoticed either.

Travel Weekly Group editor-in-chief Lucy Huxley and comedian Jack Whitehall presented the awards before the 1,000 strong audience were entertained by Manchester X-Factor star Misha B.

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For further information please contact the Manchester Airport Press Office on 0161 489 2700 or email press.office@manairport.co.uk

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, today unveiled plans for the development of a £659million 'Airport City' - the first of its kind in the UK - at Manchester Airport in the North West of England.

Designated as one of the UK Government's new Enterprise Zones last March, the Airport City project has received a substantial amount of interest and the detailed masterplan created by Manchester Airports Group (MAG), sets out the vision to transform Manchester Airport from a transport hub into an international business destination in its own right.

Building on the global connectivity offered by the airport location, the 150-acre regeneration scheme will deliver over five-million square feet of new high-quality business premises, with the aim of attracting international companies that would not previously have located in the region, or even the UK.

Becoming fully operational from April 2012, it is estimated that the wider 116-hectare Manchester Enterprise Zone will create up to 20,000 new jobs over the next 15-years. The Airport City project will be a focal point of the Manchester Enterprise Zone proposition, alongside a MediPark development at University Hospital South Manchester and Wythenshawe town centre - sites all linked by a new Metrolink tramline currently under construction - and complemented by a series of smaller opportunity sites in across South Manchester.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "Airport City will fill the gap in the market that currently exists for a high quality and well-connected environment for businesses that need access to a major British city and to a global marketplace. Airport City will provide an innovative and complementary offer to Greater Manchester's existing assets, rather than competing against them, adding new capacity to the city's existing dynamic economy. Manchester is well placed with an international offer based on established academic research and technology, innovative businesses, communications and transport infrastructure."

The detailed 'stage two' Masterplan for Airport City, unveiled today, identifies the creation of two core Airport City zones. The first is a development area adjacent to the airport's existing railway station and to north of the M56, which will focus on hotel, office, retail and advanced manufacturing uses - whilst a second area adjacent to the existing cargo centre at Junction 6 of the M56, will focus on freight and logistics uses. In total, over the next 12-15 years, Airport City will deliver:

• 1.5 million sqft of offices
• 650,000 sq ft advanced manufacturing
• Up to 100,000sqft of retail and leisure
• Approximately 2,500 hotel beds
• 1.4 million sq ft logistics & warehousing

This stage of the Masterplanning has focused on reviewing the concept for Airport City and how Manchester can interpret elements of existing Airport Cities across the world in its own unique fashion, including what it looks like, how the infrastructure works and how the development integrates with both the existing airport campus itself, and surrounding neighbourhoods such as Wythenshawe.

Sustainability and connectivity are identified in the Masterplan as the key elements in the design - the main central business district of Airport City to the north of the M56 will be linked to the airport terminals and The Station by a series of wide, landscaped 'green bridges' based on New York's elevated urban park, the Highline. This will ensure that every part of the northern Airport City zone is within an eight-minute walk from the airport's coach, bus and rail hub. A new Metrolink line to the airport and Wythenshawe is now under-construction and will also serve Airport City when it opens 2016.

A landscaped 'Central Park' area of over 800m long, featuring a number of pavilions and a large-scale event space, will form the centrepiece of Airport City, along with traditional components of a conventional city centre such as retail outlets, coffee houses, bars and restaurants. The Central Park will also integrate with the existing green space at Painswick Park in order to provide greater connectivity from Wythenshawe's Woodhouse Park housing estate so that Painswick Park benefits from a series of regenerative enhancements as a result.

Airport City's commercial property offering will accommodate a mix of uses and will provide bespoke, high quality environments designed to appeal to graduates, entrepreneurs, global businesses and creating a highly skilled local workforce operating in sectors including: Advanced Manufacturing; Research & Development; Pharmaceuticals & Health; Professional Services; Science & Research; IT & Telecommunications; Retail & Leisure; Hotel & Conferencing, as well as aviation and cargo-related businesses. The architectural approach will be to create high quality, distinctive, contemporary new buildings, all designed and constructed to the highest possible BREEAM and LEED environmental standards.

Charlie Cornish, Chief Executive of Manchester Airports Group (MAG), said: "Airport City is a concept we have been developing for a number of years and we are now at a critical stage in the project's life as we bring it to the market and commence phase one. We were enthused by the Government's recognition of Airport City's potential when it was named as the focal point of their new Enterprise Zone, as we feel that this project presents a generational opportunity not only for the wider region, but nationally in order to attract new investment to the UK during the economic downturn."

Manchester Airports Group is currently preparing to undertake the first stage delivery of the project, which will involve the creation of key road elements, landscaping, infrastructure and utility provision, all of which will help enable the first phase of development plots. Planning permission for the main site link road is due to be submitted within the next few weeks and upon approval could see work start in spring, with completion within 12-15months. The new spine road opens up the site for development and whilst demand will drive the initial phases, the design is such that several plots and areas can be developed at the same time, giving maximum flexibility of location to occupiers.

Since the enterprise zone designation in March 2011, there has been a huge amount of interest in this project - of the hundreds received, around 60 are considered to be potential occupiers - and around a quarter of those are currently progressing and in discussion with MAG about locating at Airport City.

The first phase delivery area is anticipated to create up to 1.85 million square feet of new business space. An 'Expression of Interest Document' detailing the Airport City opportunity will be officially released through an open competitive process in February 2012, as Manchester Airports Group seeks to engage potential development partners to assist in the delivery of the project.

The University Hospital of South Manchester (UHSM), a world-class research hospital and centre of clinical excellence, is also at the centre of a number of initiatives that can take advantage of sites for the creation of a medical and related services complex within the Enterprise Zone, building on its academic support by the University of Manchester. The successful development of the Airport City and MediPark concepts will greatly expand the current local role of Wythenshawe town centre as it supports and takes advantage of the economic energy generated by these two core initiatives, buoyed by the additional connectivity created by the new Metrolink line.

For more information or to register an interest in locating at Airport City, please see: www.airportcity.co.uk

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For more information please contact the Manchester Airports Group press office on +44 (0) 161 489 2700 or email: press.office@manairport.co.uk

Notes to editors:

• Manchester Airport is the UK's biggest and busiest Regional Airport, serving around 19 million passengers every year, with around 60 airlines offering global connections to around 200 destinations - including daily scheduled services to New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Singapore.
• Enterprise Zones are intended to stimulate business growth through the provision of subsidies in the form of business rate discounts, worth up to £275,000, super-fast broadband, a simplified planning regime and all business rate growth within the zone for a period of at least 25 years will be shared by the local authorities in the LEP area to support economic priorities.
• The vision for Airport City has been created by Manchester Airports Group, with support from Urban Strategies Inc., Drivers Jonas Deloitte, and Jones Lang LaSalle, along with 5Plus Architects, AECOM, Davis Langdon and Planit.

The airport also offers a totally free 'Collect on Return' service that allows you to get bags of tax free shopping and exclusive airport discounts without gathering any extra baggage. This service is available throughout all terminals; so wherever you're going within the UK and EU, always travel light. Duty free spirits & tobacco are not included in the collect on return service.

The airport's own Escape lounges in Terminals 1 and 2 will also be ready to welcome passengers over the Christmas period with plenty of offers available for passengers looking to enjoy themselves this Christmas. Since investing over £100 million in the terminal offering since 2009, the airport has keen to provide more for travellers who are escaping the bleak weather for sunnier climes or for people returning home for the holidays. For more information about entry into the lounges, see www.manchesterairport.co.uk/escape

A competition has also been launched to win an Ipad2 today on the airport's social media channels at www.twitter.com/manairport and www.facebook.com/manairport to support the Christmas drive at Manchester Airport.

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For more information, contact the Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or via email at press.office@manairport.co.uk

Manchester Airport is hoping to become part of the airport elite by growing its share of the corporate travel and business tourism market. Manchester has predominantly been recognised as a leisure airport but its growing range of airline services has seen a deliberate shift towards passengers looking to access business sectors from their local airport.

Approximately a third of the UK population resides within two hours drive of Manchester and the airport has been growing its route network over recent years, with large scale additions such as the Emirates A380 alongside a programme of upgrading the lounge offer with additions from the likes of Emirates, Etihad, Virgin Holidays and the airport's own Escape brand. This has all resulted in a growing interest from the corporate market in Manchester's offer.

Manchester's split of leisure and business traffic currently sees about 18% travelling for business travel, which amounts to around 3 million passenger journeys. According to Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) data, the top 12 UK airports currently carry an estimated 37 million business travellers out of 165 million passengers and the business tourism market is continuing to grow.

Paul Simpson, Managing Director of Visit Manchester, said: "Business tourism is incredibly important to the city and Manchester Airport plays an integral role in this sector. Each year it contributes over £570m a year to the local economy and helps to raise Manchester's profile on the world stage. We know from our Conference Value & Volume Study that on average the city welcomes around 4.2m delegates each year - attending one of almost 57,000 business events."

International business visitors are believed to contribute around £3.5 billion to the British economy and the overall size of the market is estimated to be worth well over £20 billion in terms of its wider economic impact. To evaluate that figure even further, the value of business transacted at trade events is estimated to generate £100 billion a year and the airport has acknowledged that the sector is a valuable asset for the UK; even more so in the current economic climate.

Manchester recently housed a new Corporate Travel event in the Concorde Conference Centre at Manchester Airport. The event was open exclusively for buyers of business travel within corporate organisations, travel managers, procurement officers, finance directors and also personal assistant's and travel bookers within companies.

Caroline Plant, Marketing Director for Manchester Airport, said: "This was the first event of its kind at this airport and one we are very keen to repeat so we can cement the relationships between corporate buyers and our airlines. We are very aware of the strength of the airline offering here at Manchester and we are keen for more of the country to feel the benefits of travelling from our airport.

"We are already well served to the Middle and Far East by the likes of Emirates, Etihad, Qatar, Singapore, Finnair, Pakistan, Turkish and Biman. We also remain strong on our North American routes with US Airways, Delta, Continental, American and Virgin Atlantic. While our European network continues to flourish with the likes of Flybe, easyJet, Air Nostrum, Icelandair, Lufthansa, Swiss, Jet2.com, Ryanair, Norwegian, SAS, Air France and KLM using our airport. While Thomas Cook remains an important part of the network at Manchester and we retain strong operations from the likes of Monarch and Thomson."

Over 200 attendees were invited to meet the airlines currently flying from Manchester and over 19 of the major business airlines attended with airlines like American Airlines bringing flat beds for potential customers to trial.

Speakers included Manchester Airport's Marketing Director Caroline Plant, Paul Simpson, Chief Executive of Visit Manchester and Simone Buckley, the chair of the Institute of Travel and Meetings (ITM). The event's sponsors included the North West Regional Development Agency, the inward investment agency - MIDAS and the tourist association - Marketing Manchester.

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For more information, contact the Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or via email at press.office@manairport.co.uk

The first section of ground has been broken in preparation for Manchester Airport's new Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower. To capture the construction from start to finish a time lapse camera has been installed to show every moment that goes on during the build, which will be made available for the public to view.

Work has now started at the site and the 60 metre high tower is expected to be completed by Spring 2013. Construction, design and infrastructure company Morgan Sindall, the contractor for the £16m project, was present at the sod cutting ceremony.

NATS, the UK's leading air traffic control company, and Manchester Airport have teamed up and launched a time-lapse camera that is located on the roof of the current tower over looking the new tower site. It will take a picture every 15 minutes over the course of the project and there will be a weekly one-minute video produced of the works to date that will also be broadcast on the airport's Youtube channel.

Andrew Harrison, Manchester Airport's Managing Director, said: "Now the contractors have been announced and work has commenced, this film will be a great way to monitor the progress of the new tower build. It's a large construction project for Manchester that will create jobs in the process and we are keen to show the benefits of the project to a wider audience across our region. I know that it will be an iconic addition to the Manchester skyline."

James Morgan, area director at Morgan Sindall, said: "Securing the contract for the new air traffic control tower is testament to the expertise we've developed in the UK aviation sector and our ability to consistently deliver on time and to budget. We are working closely with Manchester Airport's in-house team as well as architects CPMG and engineers URS Scott Wilson to deliver this project and are delighted to start work on site."

Paul Jones, NATS' General Manager at Manchester, said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with Manchester Airport Group on the fitting out of their new tower. From our vantage point in the current air traffic control tower we will be able to see progress on the new tower every day, and it promises to be an exciting new addition to the airport landscape. We are already planning ahead to next November when we will be able to start fitting out the tower with the 70 different systems that we require - from radar processors to communications equipment, Electronic Flight Progress System (EFPS) and plasma touch displays."

The control tower, located adjacent to the north fire station, will house a new visual control room, alongside an approach radar section and navigation, surveillance and communication equipment to ensure ATC can effectively service the long-term investment and future growth of the airport.

The new tower will be a standalone, purpose built building, with the base of the building housing a new equipment centre and offices for the Air Traffic Control company, NATS.

With 360-degree panoramic views, it will provide unrivalled views of the entire airfield operation. At present, cameras are used by controllers to assist with the view to the furthest runway end.

NATS will manage the equipment and run the tower's 24-hour operation while Manchester Airport will own and maintain the building. The current air traffic control centre, located on top of the tower block, is 40 years old and is being reviewed as part of the renovating process.

ENDS

For further information please contact the Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or email press.office@manairport.co.uk

Notes to editors:

To access the time lapse footage please visit www.lobstervision.tv and use username: atc and password: atc

About Morgan Sindall

Morgan Sindall is a UK construction, infrastructure and design business with a network of local offices. The company works for private and public sector customers on projects from £50,000 to over £500 million. Activities range from small works and repair and maintenance, to the design and delivery of complex construction and engineering projects where it is able to provide specialist design, tunnelling, utilities, building, civil engineering and mechanical and electrical services. The company operates across the commercial, defence, education, energy, healthcare, industrial, leisure, retail, transport, waste and water sectors. Morgan Sindall is part of Morgan Sindall Group plc, a leading UK construction and regeneration group with revenue of over £2 billion and which operates through five divisions of construction and infrastructure, affordable housing, fit out, urban regeneration and investments.

About NATS

NATS provides air traffic control from its centres at Swanwick, Hampshire and Prestwick, Ayrshire. NATS also provides air traffic control services at 15 of the nation's major airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow, together with air traffic services at Gibraltar Airport. NATS handled 2.1 million flights in the 2010 calendar year, covering the UK and eastern North Atlantic, and carried more than 200 million passengers safely through some of the busiest and most complex airspace in the world.

Manchester Airport celebrated the festivals of Diwali and Eid for the first time this year with the airline carriers who serve the Asian market, as they look to continue their growth from the North of England.

Eid is the Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan and Diwali is a 'festival of lights' that takes place between mid-October and mid-November. The venue for the celebrations was the Concorde Conference Centre at Manchester Airport where Dhol drummers and Indian dancers performed and projections brought the 'festival of lights' to life. Visitors were also treated to an authentic Indian banquet.

Over 150 travel agents specialising in travel to India and Pakistan were invited to meet representatives of airlines such as Emirates, Etihad, Turkish and Biman. Biman Bangladesh Airlines being the latest carrier to add services direct to Dhaka in Bangladesh.

The desire for routes to Asia is of increasing importance to the airport and the Manchester Airports Group (MAG) recently signed a partnership agreement with Beijing Capital International to share knowledge and work towards providing a direct service from the North West to China. Direct passenger services between Manchester and China are a strategic ambition for both MAG and its North West partners including the inward investment agency, MIDAS, and the tourism body, Marketing Manchester.

The city is already home to the third largest Chinese population in Europe as well as enjoying trade links that were worth over £4bn in 2010. Manchester's universities also attract the largest number of Chinese students all of which show the potential for growth and further investment through closer direct links.

Caroline Plant, Marketing Director for Manchester Airport, said: "The strength of the offering to Asia here at Manchester is already apparent but we are still keen to develop our knowledge of the local market and provide more services for the communities that use our flights. How we treat our customers is very important to us and we believe we have a vital role to play as the airport in putting the local travel community in direct contact with the airlines that operate from Manchester. The Asia-Pacific region is a key focus area for route development and whilst we are already well served by a variety of carriers we know the demand is there for more. Events like this give us a greater understanding of the market and allow us to improve the offering we have at the airport."

Manchester is already well served to Asian markets by the likes of Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, Singapore, Finnair, Pakistan, Turkish and Biman Bangladesh. The objective of the celebration was to raise the profile of the airport and the carriers who already serve those destinations.

As the Asian market becomes increasingly important to Manchester Airport's growth, the airport is aiming to build relationships and foster a larger database of agents who serve ethnic communities who reside in the North of England.

ENDS

For more information, contact the Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or via email at press.office@manairport.co.uk

A psychologist has been helping calm nervous flyers in Manchester Airport's executive lounge after bosses noticed a rise in the amount of lounge bookings by passengers with a fear of flying wanting to escape the busy airport environment.

To help relieve some of the worries around flying the airport have teamed up with Virgin Atlantic's Flying Without Fear course leaders and arranged for a trained therapist in Terminal 1's Escape Lounge to provide free taster sessions of the techniques they use.

Andrew Harrison, Managing Director for Manchester Airport, said: "Our Escape lounges are perfect for nervous flyers as they offer an oasis of calm in a comfortable and stylish environment away from the hustle and bustle of a busy terminal. We thought that by linking up with Virgin Atlantic's Flying Without Fear we could help prepare those nervous about catching their flight as we want everyone's journey to be as stress free as possible."

Anxious passengers were encouraged to speak with highly reputed therapist; Gill Harvey-Bush who is a Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming and was trained by and now works with Paul McKenna.

Gill covered common worries such as turbulence and panic attacks and took passengers through some practical strategies to help with fear of flying phobia, claustrophobia and any other flying related fears they may have.

Paul Tizzard, Virgin Atlantic's Flying Without Fear Director, said: "Myself and Richard Conway have been running the Virgin Atlantic Flying Without Fear programme for 15 years. In that time, we have helped over 2,000 people a year to face their fears. We run 20 courses per year from 10 UK airports with around a 98% success rate."

Terminal 1 Escape Lounge has seen bookings by those with a fear of flying increase as it has separate areas to suit every passenger's needs. You can decide to unwind in the quiet zones, enjoy a peaceful freshly made dish from the on-site chef or relax further by booking a treatment in the Be Relax Spa private treatment room located in the lounge. For those wanting to keep themselves busy to not think about their imminent flight then the separate entertainment zone for families, including PlayStation 3 and a giant Scalextric racetrack is perfect.

The Flying Without Fear programme has helped thousands of people to overcome their fears, ranging from anxiety at takeoff, to a complete inability to board an aircraft. They have helped many famous faces including Whoopi Goldberg, Coronation Street stars Kym Marsh and Antony Cotton, and ex Atomic Kitten Liz McClarnon.

Manchester Airport's unique Runway Visitor Park attraction has gained official recognition as a tourist attraction by VisitEngland, the national tourist board, under the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme (VAQAS).

The Park is located adjacent to the busy international airport's two runways and is home to a number of retired planes for visitors to tour and explore - including supersonic airliner, Concorde and a former RAF Nimrod military spy plane.

It attracts around 300,000 visitors every year and after an official assessment under the VAQAS scheme during the summer, it has earned the right to display VisitEngland's red rose logo quality plaque - a recognised stamp of approval to assure visitors of the organisation's endorsement of the attraction.

Jeremy Brinkworth, Director of Business Development at VisitEngland, said: "The Runway Visitor Park is a great visitor attraction. Our assessor was particularly impressed by the range of facilities available and the enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff, who should congratulate themselves on this well-deserved accreditation."

The VAQAS report states that the Park offers the visitor an "overall excellent quality experience," and claims the Concorde classic tour is "just the right length and excellently presented and hosted".

The report also goes on to describe the facilities provided by the Park - which include The Aviation Shop and Ringways Restaurant - as a "mecca for aviation enthusiasts".

Natalie Kelly, Head of the Runway Visitor Park, said: "The main attraction is its location, which gives visitors the chance to watch the hundreds of aircraft that land and take-off every day. It is especially popular during school holidays as families look for alternative ways to entertain the kids with something interesting and a bit different."

She added: "Having evolved from humble beginnings, the Park has become one of the most popular visitor attractions in the region over the past decade or so - therefore the VisitEngland recognition is very significant and is testament to the hard work of everyone involved with the Park, both past and present."

"We will continue in our efforts to improve the visitor experience and our ambition is to increase visitor numbers to half a million by 2015."

Following visitor feedback and recommendations made in the report; the Park has recently added a new children's play area and has significantly increased the number of picnic benches to 52. Has also installed a digital flight-screen, similar to those seen in the terminals, which enables visitors to accurately track arriving and departing flights. The screen has already proved to such a popular addition that a second screen is to be installed in the visitor centre. Other improvements currently under consideration include covered outdoor shelters and live commentary.

The Runway Visitor Park is located next to Manchester Airport's runways, off Sunbank Lane in Altrincham, Greater Manchester - just two minutes from Junction 6 of the M56 motorway. It's open daily from 8am until one hour before dusk. A shuttle bus runs between the Park and the airport's bus, coach and railway station.

In addition to Concorde and Nimrod, Runway Visitor Park also hosts an Avro RJX; a DC-10; and a retro Trident airliner, giving a glimpse of what flying was like in the 1960s and 1970s. For more information go to: www.manchesterairport.co.uk/runwayvisitorpark

VisitEngland is the national tourist board for England and is responsible for promoting England to domestic and established overseas markets and for improving England's tourism product. The Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme (VAQAS) is managed by VisitEngland and, through its network of regional assessors, boasts an incredible reputation for instigating, modifying and shaping change to the customer experience at visitor attractions across England.

-Ends-
For more information - or further hi-res images - please contact Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or press.office@manairport.co.uk

Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited, the national flag carrier of Bangladesh, will commence services from Dhaka to Manchester this Winter.

The twice-weekly service is on sale now and will commence its inaugural flight on 2nd November 2011 operating on Wednesdays, arriving at 17.50 and departing at 19.20. On Saturdays, the aircraft will arrive at 18.55 and depart at 20.25. This will become the airport's longest direct route at over 10 hours and the fastest route between UK and Bangladesh.

The Manchester - Dhaka service will be operated by one of the airlines newly purchased B777-300ER with a two-class cabin configuration, resulting in 35 business class seats and 384 economy seats.

Mohammed Salahuddin, Regional Manager for Northern UK at Biman Bangladesh Airlines Limited, said: "It's a dream come true for both Biman and the large Bangladeshi community residing in the northern part of the UK. I hope Biman will fulfil the expectations of the British Bangladeshi community in the North by providing a quality product, with its new generation of modern aircraft and an improved ground and in-flight service. We're looking to provide a better schedule regularity and ensure the highest standards of safety. By adding Manchester into its network, Biman has put itself firmly in the competition in the North, which has long been favoured by other airlines. We will be the only airline to operate non-stop flights between UK and Bangladesh from the 2nd November 2011."

Biman Bangladesh Airlines has placed orders worth a total of US$ 1.4 billion for a further nine aircraft from Boeing including another three 777-300ER, four 787-8 Dream Liners and two 737-800NG. They are expecting delivery between 2011 to 2021 as a part of a global growth strategy and commitment to providing customers with the highest standards of comfort and reliability.

Andrew Harrison, Manchester Airport's Managing Director, said: "The north west has always had a large Bangladeshi community so this is an important region for Manchester to serve, as well as it being our longest direct flight for Manchester Airport. Biman are injecting growth into their business and we are proud to have the first of many new aircraft operating from Manchester. We believe the two-class cabin will help to attract business to both Manchester and Dhaka and help bring new trade opportunities between the two cities."

The airline will operate a triangular route with its inbound service stopping at London Heathrow and then flying onto Manchester. The outbound will run direct from Manchester to Dhaka.

Biman, a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), flies passengers and cargo to 18 international destinations in Asia and Europe and most of their destinations are served directly or via a stopover. Convenient transfer connections from Dhaka are also available to regional destinations.

2011 has been declared as the 'Year of Tourism' in Bangladesh making it the perfect time to visit the unspoilt beach of Cox's Bazaar or to sample the panoramic lush green tea gardens of Sylhet, which is home to Royal Bengal Tigers of Sundarbans. Visitors can also see a large variety of local tribes and be able to sample the culinary delights of the country.

Biman have also launched a new website so passengers can access online bookings at www.biman-airlines.com. The new website allows passengers to plan and manage their travel more conveniently with the option of buying tickets on-line and be able to request added services.

ENDS

For further information please see www.biman-airlines.com or call Biman Bangladesh Airlines in their Manchester office on 0161 228 6605.

Note to Editors:

• Biman came into being on January 4th 1972 with a gift of a DC-3 aircraft from the Bangladeshi Air Force.
• Presently Biman has two 737-800, four DC10-30, three A310-300 and three F28-4000 aircraft in its fleet.
• Biman is in the process of procuring more new generation aircraft such as Boeing 777-300ER, 787-8 and 737-800 for its fleet.

Iberia Regional Air Nostrum will soon link Manchester and Madrid once a day from 30th October 2011. From Madrid, passengers coming from Manchester will be offered easy connections to over 20 destinations on the Iberia network.

Passengers from the north of England will have easy access via the direct daily link to the Spanish capital with flights departing from Terminal 4 in Madrid-Barajas at 15:45 and arriving at 17:05 in Manchester's Terminal 3. The return flight will leave Manchester at 17:35 and land at 20:55 at the Spanish airport.

Andrew Harrison, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said: "Having Iberia Regional Air Nostrum at Manchester provides another route into the Spanish capital and that's significant for the airport and our passengers. This daily service will provide business and leisure passengers with not only a non-stop service to Madrid but greater access to the whole Iberia network, giving them more flexibility and choice."

Flights will be operated with a 100-seat CRJ-1000, its most modern jet aircraft, equipped with Air Nostrum's Business Class. The flight is likely to be of interest to holiday travellers and a growing amount of business traffic between the two cities.

In Madrid passengers coming from Manchester can make easy connections to a further 20 destinations of Iberia's network such as Alicante, Malaga and Valencia in Spain, Lisbon in Portugal, Tel Aviv in Israel, Johannesburg in South Africa and Luanda in Angola, as well as to Buenos Aires, Santiago de Chile, Lima and Montevideo in South America.

Iberia's Business Class passengers can also use special check-in facilities and VIP lounges in Madrid. They can also enjoy a greater luggage allowance, preferential luggage delivery, an exquisite in-flight service with the best Spanish regional wines and other products as well as free magazines and newspapers.

ENDS

For further information please contact Air Nostrum's press office on amares@airnostrum.es. or Iberia's press office +34 91 587 7462 (prensaintl@iberia.es) or contact the Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or press.office@manairport.co.uk

Notes to editors:

• Today, Iberia is the leading airline within Spain, on the routes connecting Spain to the rest of Europe, and on flights between Europe and Latin America.
• Together, Iberia and its franchise partner Iberia Regional operate more than 1,000 flights every day to about 100 destinations.
• Iberia is a member of the oneworld airline alliance, whose members offer a total of 9,000 daily flights to 800 destinations in 150 countries.
• For more information about the Iberia Group: www.grupo.iberia.com/portal/site/grupoiberia/

Building on the success of the company's existing flight schedule of 89 direct weekly flights from the UK to nine Scandinavian and Nordic destinations, Norwegian are extending its offering to the UK business and leisure market by adding three weekly departures from Manchester to Oslo Gardemoen from the 31st October 2011.

The launch of this route is based around the incredible interest in Norway for the big Premiership football teams in the North West; but it also represents an opportunity for business and leisure travelers alike to visit Oslo and other key points in the Norwegian domestic and Scandinavian network, all at excellent fares.

"The instant success with the London route has triggered our desire to offer increased flexibility to our passengers. In order to be a competitive player and an attractive alternative for business travellers, it's important to increase the number of daily flights while keeping low fares," says Daniel Skjeldam, Chief Commercial Director of Norwegian.

Norwegian, Scandinavia's second largest airline and Europe's fourth largest low cost carrier today offers over 90 direct weekly flights from London Gatwick and Edinburgh to Oslo, Bergen, Stavanger, Alesund and Trondheim in Norway, Copenhagen and Aalborg in Denmark and Stockholm in Sweden and offers onward connections to its large domestic and intra Scandinavian network.

Andrew Harrison, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said: "European connections to major capitals like Oslo are an important part of the network offering from Manchester. We're pleased that the popularity of Manchester as a tourist destination is available to an increasing number of visitors who are coming to see teams like Manchester City and United. There is so much to see here in the North West and we're delighted to see Norwegian arriving in Manchester."

With these new direct flights the money saving Frequent Flier program, Cash Points and fares to Oslo Gardemoen starting from £50 one-way incl. taxes, both business and leisure passengers are certain to find the new route offers significant advantages over indirect options from the North West.

With many of our new Boeing 737-800's featuring the latest 'Sky Interiors' and Wi-fi, Norwegian are leading the way, not only in offering economies, but also an innovatory offer that suits both leisure and business travellers.

ENDS

For more information
sa Larsson, Communications Manager
Mobile: +46 735-22 22 42 Email: asa.larsson@norwegian.com

Or

Manchester Airport Press Office on 0161 489 2700 or press.office@manairport.co.uk

Notes to editors:

• In 2007 Norwegian bought 42 Next-Generation 737-800s from Boeing, an order valued at 18 billion NOK at list prices.
• This order has later been increased to 48 aircraft to be delivered between 2008 and 2014. So far, four of these aircraft have been delivered and are currently in operation. Of this pending order it has now increased to a total of 63 aircraft, 44 remain to be delivered.
• Norwegian is currently replacing its older Boeing 737-300 faster than planned. In 2012 the airline will have a fleet of 63 Next-Generation 737-800s.
• Subsequently, the fleet will be increased additionally by Norwegian-owned 800s and a number of leased aircraft.

Channel Islands based airline, Blue Islands today announce their plans to fly direct from Manchester Airport to Jersey with onward connections to Guernsey. The daily flights will commence on 31st October 2011, bookings can be made now at www.blueislands.com and fares start from £49.00 including all taxes and charges.

Blue Islands are the airline with a welcome difference. The truly unique pricing policy pioneered by the airline allows passengers to book flights with no hidden charges whatsoever. No charges to carry baggage or for excess baggage, no charges to book using a debit or credit card and free changes to tickets (names and flights) provide a refreshing change to all passengers on all flights.

Direct, daily flights to Jersey mean that the beauty and tranquillity of the Channel Islands are only just over an hour away. Guernsey is then a short 15 minute flight and passengers remain on the aircraft to connect through. The flight time of 1215 allows passengers an alternative flight time and avoids early morning departures.

Rob Veron, Managing Director of Blue Islands is delighted to begin flying from Manchester Airport. He said: "I look forward to welcoming new passengers living in and around Greater Manchester and hope that they enjoy Blue Islands and our 'welcome difference' brand values. These are hugely popular with our passengers - no baggage charges, no debit or credit card charges and free ticket changes provide passengers with huge flexibility without having to pay any hidden charges. We believe in clear, honest and transparent pricing coupled with excellent customer service. Jersey is the ideal location for taking a break out of the city - stunning views, cliff walks, tax free shopping and of course the renowned beaches make for an excellent last minute, long weekend break"

Mr. Veron continued: "Manchester is a key UK destination for Channel Island passengers who use the airport as a gateway to the North of England, therefore it is important that this route remains to serve the market demand."

Founded in 2006, Blue Islands connects the Channel Islands to a number of UK and European destinations including Southampton, Zurich, Geneva, Isle of Man and more recently London City, Bristol and Manchester.

Andrew Harrison, Manchester Airport's Managing Director, said: "Blue Islands are new to Manchester and I'm very pleased that they have chosen to operate services from here, once again demonstrating the attractiveness of Manchester to airlines. The Channel Islands are very popular destinations and we know that our passengers will be pleased that these remain part of our network. Blue Islands brings 'welcome differences' of no baggage or card charges, which will make a real impact. I'm sure that this service will be very successful and I look forward to working with Blue Islands."

ENDS

For further information please contact:
Hayley Webb, PR Manager, Blue Islands
07911 749909

John Greenway, Press Office Manager at Manchester Airport
0161 489 8746

Schedule

JERSEY
Monday - Saturday
Jersey - Manchester DEP 1015
Manchester - Jersey DEP 1215

Sunday
Jersey - Manchester DEP 1140
Manchester - Jersey DEP 1340

GUERNSEY
Monday - Saturday
Guernsey - Manchester (via Jersey) DEP 0925
Manchester - Guernsey (via Jersey) DEP 1215

Sunday
Guernsey - Manchester (via Jersey) DEP 1040
Manchester - Guernsey (via Jersey) DEP 1340

Record-breaking GCSE results have been announced at Manchester's Enterprise Academy (MEA). With 35% of students achieving 5 or more GCSE passes at grades A*-C including English and Maths, these results represent an 8% increase on last year and mean the Academy meets, for the first time ever, the national standard for secondary education.

James Eldon, Manchester Enterprise Academy's new Principal, said: "Even in a difficult year with a lot of upheaval, including moving into a new state of the art building and a number of staffing changes, I am so pleased to announce our record breaking GCSE results. I would like to congratulate all the students and staff who have worked so hard to achieve this success. However, the staff are not complacent and are striving to improve further. I am confident that our excellent facilities and teaching methods are having the right effect on students and this progress will accelerate further this year.

"Along with our key sponsors, we are committed to securing the best possible outcome for all of our students. This year's improved GCSE results are the product of hard work and dedication from both students and teachers and I know that I speak for the whole Academy when I wish the 'Class of 2011' the best of luck as they move onto to our rapidly expanding sixth-form."

MEA, based on Simonsway, Wythenshawe opened its doors in September 2009 and moved into state-of-the-art premises in September 2010. MEA is the first of a new generation of secondary schools that offer a more flexible curriculum developing the creativity and leadership skills vital to being an entrepreneur and thriving in the new economy. Pupils at MEA also get the benefit of working with the fantastic sponsors allied to the Academy.

Manchester Airport is the major sponsor of the Academy, which provides 750 places for 11-16 year olds and post-16 provision for 120 students from 2010. As part of their sponsorship Manchester Airport provides specialist knowledge of business, tourism and travel to help enrich the curriculum. They also encourage students to get involved with work experience opportunities across the airport site to build upon key skills.

Image: Brian Simpson (MEP) presents Andrew Harrison, MD of Manchester Airport, and members of the Utilities Group with their award.

Neil continued: "In 2009, the airport became the first in the UK to achieve the Reduction level of Airport Carbon Accreditation so we are incredibly pleased to have achieved a higher level of accreditation this year. We place a significant importance on engaging with our service partners and we are delighted that this has been recognised."

"Since 2009, we have developed our skills and knowledge and by sharing this with our partners through the carbon challenge, the wider airport community and the industry, we know we can further cut carbon emissions from our operations and heavily reduce emissions from across the entire site."

Airport Carbon Accreditation independently assesses and recognises the efforts of airports to manage and reduce their carbon emissions with four levels of award: 'Mapping', 'Reduction', 'Optimisation' & 'Neutrality'. Launched by Airports Council International Europe in June 2009, Airport Carbon Accreditation is administered by WSP Environment & Energy.

Olivier Jankovec, Director General ACI EUROPE commented "It's great to see Manchester Airport's famously friendly, proactive attitude and dynamic approach in evidence in its environmental activities. Their increased performance within Airport Carbon Accreditation speaks volumes about their commitment to sustainable airport operations, with a host of on-site initiatives that make a real difference not just to its footprint, but to the carbon footprint of others on the airport site as well."

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For more information please contact the Manchester Airports Group (MAG) press office on 0161 489 2700 or press.office@manairport.co.uk

Notes:

- Manchester Airport has been awarded the Optimisation level of Airport Carbon Accreditation, which requires third party engagement in carbon footprint reduction. Third parties include airlines and various service providers, for example, independent ground handlers, catering companies, air traffic control and others working on the airport site. It also involves engagement on surface access modes (road, rail) with authorities and users

- Airport Carbon Accreditation is the only independent and institutionally-endorsed certification programme designed specifically for the airport business. For more information, including an up to date list of the accredited airports, go to www.airportcarbonaccreditation.org

- Airports must have carbon footprints independently verified in accordance with ISO14064 (Greenhouse Gas Accounting). Evidence of this must be provided to the administrator together with all claims regarding carbon management processes, which must also be independently verified.

- The Manchester Airport Utilities Working Group is a group of colleagues dedicated to energy reduction; this includes looking at areas of the business and creating strategies on how to reduce carbon emissions.

- The Carbon Challenge was launched February 2010 and is aimed at all companies based at Manchester Airport. Its aim is for partners to work together to reduce their carbon emissions. These companies have committed to measure, manage and reduce those carbon dioxide emissions arising from their scope 1 and 2 activities.

Manchester Airport has launched a pioneering new access guide designed to provide disabled customers with all the information required to plan their journey through one of the UKs busiest airports with confidence.

The guide has been developed in partnership with disability organisation DisabledGo who have over 10 years' experience providing access information to disabled people on their website www.disabledgo.com. This is the first time an airport has been given its own guide.

The organisation was founded in 2000 by Chief Executive, Dr Gregory Burke as a direct result of his own personal frustrations as a wheelchair user. Through on-going consultation with disabled people DisabledGo has developed a survey process that gives people extremely detailed, useful information that relates to a wide range of impairments.

The new guide talks visitors to the airport through their journey; from the car park to their departure lounge if they are flying from Manchester, or alternatively from arrivals through to the car park if Manchester is their final destination. Every piece of information on the airport guide has been collected in person by a trained DisabledGo access surveyor. The information includes everything from details of the fixtures and fittings in accessible toilets, to hearing assistance systems, lighting levels and the dimensions of parking bays.

Speaking about the development of the guide Dr Gregory Burke, Chief Executive of DisabledGo said: "We are delighted to have worked in partnership on this pioneering project. It has been clear throughout the whole process that Manchester Airport is committed to providing the best possible service to disabled travellers and recognises that disabled people are a much ignored market. As a wheelchair user and a frequent flyer I know how incredibly stressful air travel can often be. This guide will be a step-change in making every journey better for disabled people and anyone else. All credit to Manchester Airport."

Andrew Harrison, Manchester Airport's Managing Director, said: "I am delighted that we are the first airport to have helped create a DisabledGo guide. We want to make every customer's journey stress free so this World-first guide is just another way of us helping take away the worry for passengers with reduced mobility. By launching this guide in the Summer season, I am confident that passengers will find it useful in navigating their way around the airport."

The online guide can be accessed free of charge at www.disabledgo.com by simply typing 'Manchester Airport' in to the search box on the homepage. The guide will also be available on www.manchesterairport.co.uk. The information is easily searchable by using a range of icons and is complemented by interactive 3D maps of the Airport site. In addition to the guide DisabledGo will supply Manchester Airport staff with disability equality training and advice on how access can be improved in the future.

Manchester Airport has geared up for Summer and the arrival of thousands of younger travellers by opening not one but three new children's play areas and they are all free.

Two soft play areas are located in Terminal's 1 and 2 airside. The third play area is a wooden activity area that has been installed in the Runway Visitor Park.

The two soft play zones are the brainchild of Airport employees Susan Dean and Paul Emblow, who both have small children and wanted to improve the facilities whilst waiting for flights at the airport. Manchester Airport has a scheme that allows any member of staff to come up with ideas to improve the customer's journey called 'Customer First'. In this scheme staff members can apply for funding to make their idea a reality.

Julie Armstrong, Manchester Airport's Director of Customer Services, said: "We know how stressful it can be keeping children occupied whilst you are waiting to board a plane so having a free play area should keep them busy and parents more relaxed. We want holidays to start at the airport so having a safe, stimulating and interactive place for youngsters to play is one way we can help.

"I would like to congratulate Susan and Paul for their hard work that has already paid off with feedback from parents saying how much easier it is to entertain children here. The ethos behind 'Customer First' is to get staff members involved in coming up with ideas and developing them to the end to help make the customer's journey easier through Manchester Airport."

The project took just under a month to complete at a cost of over £20k, which came from Customer First funding. The duo worked with Soft Brick Company based in Warrington to choose the range of funky colours and textures. There are now plans for a soft play area to be installed in Terminal 3.

The third play area is a wooden activity area that has been installed in the Runway Visitor Park, which is set to be a real hit amongst the Park's younger visitors. The new facility, which includes a birds nest swing, agility climbing frame and log trail, has been constructed in a prime spot between Ringways Restaurant and the runways, so that parents can sit at the picnic benches and watch the aircraft while keeping a close eye on their children.

Other child-friendly services that the Airport offers include free fast lane through security if you have a child in a pushchair, a wide range of restaurants and cafes offering kids meals and kids packs, Terminal's 1 and 2 Escape lounges both have children facilities; in Terminal 1 there is a scaletrix, Wii and Playstation 3.

For children on the Autistic spectrum there is a free guide called 'Airport Awareness' that explains the process of going through the airport which can be downloaded from the airport website or copies posted out on request from katy.gough@manairport.co.uk.

In Terminal 1 the play area is suitable for under three years of age and is located next to Gate 21. In Terminal 2 the soft play area has a section suitable for under three years of age and an adventure play area for ages three to eight years of age, located next to Caffe Nero.

It was Gagarin's first visit outside of the so-called 'Soviet bloc', and at the time he was still the only human to have orbited the earth. The flight was also Gagarin's first in a British plane, and he took over the controls of the plane for a short time on the way to Manchester.

He landed at Ringway - as the airport was then known - on a specially chartered Viscount 800 aircraft belonging to BEA, one of the airlines from which T3-based British Airways was formed. Rapturous crowds of thousands who had waited in the pouring rain greeted his arrival. A huge crowd of people had pushed through the airport gates to get on to the tarmac and, as Gagarin stepped from the plane, a surge from the crowd carried him away from the party of officials waiting to meet him. The police eventually managed to force a path for Gagarin back to the jostled city representatives. Gagarin then tried to make his way to a waiting car, but was again swept up by the crowd, which this time took him away in a sea of backslapping to the far end of a hangar, far from his car. Gagarin never lost his composure, smiling and waving as he was swept around and around, finally reaching his transport. Airport officials at the time stated it was the biggest and most enthusiastic welcome ever given to anyone there.

Using photographs and historic plans of the airport, Manchester Airport historians with the help of British Airways, have pinpointed the exact location where Gagarin's plane stopped, which is now the location of the Terminal 3 arrivals hall at the airport.

Andrew Harrison, Managing Director, Manchester Airport, said: "The airport is itself intertwined in Manchester's rich historical tapestry, so we felt that it was important to recognise this significant event. We believe that the location where the plaque will be situated is accurate to within a matter of metres of where Mr. Gagarin first stepped on to British soil, at Manchester Airport."

Gagarin's visit to Manchester was prompted by an invitation from the Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers - one of the world's largest unions, with a strong presence in the then union-strong industrial north, and whose headquarters were in Moss Side. Before he became a pilot, Gagarin was a foundry worker and the Union decided to honour his out of this world achievement by offering him honorary membership of the Union, inviting him to Manchester to present him with a medal.

Rare footage of Gagarin's arrival has also been unveiled by space-author Francis French, originally from Manchester and now a Director at the San Diego Air & Space Museum. The footage shows Yuri Gagarin being greeted at Ringway by Fred Hollingsworth, President of the Amalgamated Union of Foundry Workers who had invited him:

The fragile film broke when it was being screened for Francis in 1987 and was restored digitally at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, as a free educational opportunity to learn more about a historic moment when East met West.

Commenting on the visit, Francis French, said: "The combination of Gagarin's unique achievement and the Soviets' clever publicity combined to create a welcome in Manchester that was like nothing ever seen there before. In this decade, when most people would not recognise even Neil Armstrong if they passed him by in the street, never mind any other space farer, it is hard to imagine the star quality that Gagarin carried - it had more in common with Beatlemania.

"This was about something that had never been achieved before in human history, and here was a chance to meet the man who did it. It is notable that Airport officials stated it was the biggest and most enthusiastic welcome ever given to anyone there."

Amongst the crowds lining the streets for Gagarin's visit to Manchester back in 1961 was eight year old Jim Battle - now Councillor Jim Battle, Deputy Leader of the Council - who saw Gargarin pass by from his dad's shoulders. He said: "Yuri Gagarin was welcomed as a super hero. To see a real spaceman was breathtaking. It was really something."

An exhibition celebrating the Gagarin's visit to the Manchester and Trafford area, with archive photography, fine art, video, Soviet space memorabilia and rarely seen artefacts from the extraordinary Cold War era in which he lived; runs until 27th August 2011 at the Waterside Arts Centre, Sale, Manchester, M33 7ZF.

The Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Harry Lyons is also to host a commemorative civic event in the Banqueting Room of Manchester Town Hall at 13:00 on Tuesday 12th July.

The plaque will remain on permanent display for passengers and members of the public alike to see at Arrivals in Terminal 3.

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For more information please contact the Manchester Airports Group press office on 0161 489 2700 or press.office@manairport.co.uk

From changing a light bulb on the runway to fixing solar panels onto a HIV clinic in rural Uganda, this could soon become a reality for staff at Manchester Airport.

Employees skills are being sought to help transform the lives of children with life-threatening illnesses and disabilities as the airport's parent company - the Manchester Airports Group (MAG) - has today announced its three-year support of Medcare, a UK charity that runs the Wellspring Children's Medical Centre in rural Uganda.

Staff with practical skills from electricians to architects will have the chance to provide on-the-ground support in Uganda at Wellspring and apply their skills in building a HIV/AIDS unit and a centre for disabled children.

MAG has never adopted a Group-wide charity before and a key reason it selected Medcare is because their support will transform the charity's ability to help so many children.

Charlie Cornish, MAG's Chief Executive, said: "We do tremendous work in our local communities and support brilliant local charities. But we've never had something that colleagues and business partners can get behind together, by applying a combination of fundraising and first-world skills in the third world which can really change lives. I am confident that our work will make an unfathomable differences to people who need help. Medcare is a relatively new, successful charity but is keen to raise its game and increase its impact. The parallel with MAG's evolution makes Medcare the perfect partner for us."

Russell Craig, MAG's Head of External Communications, is leading the project and the first major development that funds are needed for is to expand the Wellspring Children's Medical Centre in Kamutuuza, Uganda. The first part opened in 2008 and provides general health care, vaccinations, and acute malaria care to some of the most vulnerable children in Africa, together with sponsorship of children with HIV/AIDS and those with disabilities. Since then it has successfully treated over 20,000 children.

Pauline Hutchinson, Medcare Founder, said: "I am so delighted that MAG has agreed to help and support Medcare. I know that just a small contribution can go a long way and change lives. I am confident that having MAG involved for three years will mean a huge difference to the lives of the children we look after at Wellspring."

Medcare is a charity based in the North West of the UK committed to helping under privileged children in third world countries who cannot receive the proper medical care they require. Their overseas work is based in Kamutuuza in Uganda.

Medcare's unpaid volunteers provide health equality for sick, vulnerable, deprived children in the developing world, through medical and social care. All revenues fund the work in Uganda.

They have been making a difference to the lives of thousands of deprived village children for more than three years. Most people don't realise that making a relatively small donation can make a big difference. £3 will purchase a life saving mosquito net, £6 will provide treatment for one child annually at Wellspring, £25 a month will provide life changing sponsorship to a child with a chronic illness or disability, £300 will provide surgery for a child with clubbed feet enabling them to live a normal life.

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For photographs and further information please contact 0161 489 2700 or email press.office@manairport.co.uk

For further details on the work of Medcare please visit www.medcare.org.uk or see their page on Facebook. Medcare charity number 1141700.

Passengers at Manchester Airport are being asked to let the Chancellor of the Exchequer know their feelings on the UK's air taxes by signing up to the 'Give us a break' campaign which launched today and aims to encourage the Government to keep air taxes lower from regional airports.

The 'Give us a break' campaign aims to raise awareness among passengers of the cost of air passenger duty (APD) and the effect it is having on the price of their ticket.
Specially designed post-boxes have been installed in Terminals 1 and 2 for passengers to send a pre-written postcard to the Rt Hon George Osborne MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, encouraging him to consider a lower level of air taxes for airports like Manchester.

In the March Budget, the Treasury invited comments and relevant evidence on the impact of air passenger duty (APD) on the UK's regional economies and time is almost up for the public to submit their views with the consultation ending on the 17th June.

By getting involved in the campaign passengers will be showing their support for more destinations direct from Manchester, more jobs for the North West and more affordable holidays. The current high price of oil and the system of air taxes in the UK is putting pressure on the price of flights and seeing many airports lose key routes, while the economy has been in recession.

Jonathan Bailey, External Affairs Director for the Manchester Airports Group (MAG), said: "This is the last chance for passengers to have their say on the proposed changes that could seriously affect their future holidays and business trips. Many UK travellers are unaware that they pay the highest levels of flight tax in Europe but they have an opportunity to have their say and make their voice heard to Government. We are asking our passengers to show their support and help convince the Government that a regionalised tax system could work in the long term and provide a stronger aviation industry for the UK."

Passengers at regional airports tend to be more price sensitive than at the London airports, which can make regional airports less attractive to airlines. The Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has had a concern that additional price rises might discourage airlines from developing new routes from regional airports that businesses in the North require.

Earlier this year, MAG announced its support for ABTA's 'A Fair Tax on Flying' campaign and joined an alliance of more than 25 airlines, airports, tour operators, destinations and trade associations who were uniting to call on the Government to make the system of aviation tax in the UK fairer. That helped to raise awareness of the current system amongst UK travellers and saw the issue of a regionalised system of tax being mentioned in the Treasury's subsequent consultation on the current system.

The final deadline for responses to be submitted is Friday 17th June. Passengers who might not be travelling through the terminals before then can send their comments direct to the Treasury by email to apd@hmtreasury.gsi.gov.uk

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For more information and photographs please contact Manchester Airport Press Office on 0161 489 2700 or email press.office@manairport.co.uk

Manchester Airport has been named as one of a small cadre of businesses to be recognised by Business in the Community's (BITC) coveted National Big Ticks for their work in the local community. Three of the Airport's initiatives received "Big Ticks" - a unique achievement for one business in the same year.

The Airport was also announced as the joint highest new entry in the Business in the Community's Corporate Responsibility Index, which is the UK's leading voluntary benchmark of corporate responsibility. While Wendy Sinfield, the airport's Community Relations Manager, won the North West 'Leadership for Sustainability' award with judges commenting on her enthusiastic and passionate approach.

(Image - Maggie Unwin, Helen McNabb, Wendy Sinfield and Jonathan Challis from the Community Relations Team with their awards.")

The Big Tick is first awarded at regional level for inspirational programmes that are making a positive impact on the community, the environment or wider society. Selected winners then go on to compete for the national Awards for Excellence.

The airport was recognised in the Education Award for its scheme that encourages colleagues to develop skills by mentoring, becoming Governors and supporting out-of-school activities. In the Employability Awards, the Airport Academy project was recognised for offering career opportunities to local unemployed people. The Academy has helped 585 people through its programme, with 41% successfully moving into work at the airport. Finally, the 3rd award went to the airport's Work Experience Programme which was rewarded for developing young people from the local community with specialised placements at the airport designed to raise aspiration by allowing them to see the workings of a 21st century airport.

Andrew Harrison, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, commented: "Our approach to corporate responsibility and sustainability is a big part of who we are as a company. It's a core value for us and we are delighted its been recognised by our communities and stakeholders. It's also something our staff are keen to get involved in and realise the value of. It's pleasing to me to see we're having a positive impact but also that we are sharing the benefits of our business amongst the wider community, especially those in greatest need."

Categories span environmental, community, workplace and marketplace programmes. The awards celebrate companies who are delivering successful responsible business programmes at local, national and international levels. Judged by business, there are 14 national award categories open to all sizes of business and they are free to enter.

Stephen Howard, Chief Executive of Business in the Community said: "I congratulate Manchester Airport on achieving their 3 Big Ticks. It is a challenging time for business, but this is a sign that companies are not losing their focus and are transforming their businesses to make a positive impact on people and society and are prepared to lead by example. That's what Business in the Community's Awards for Excellence are all about - celebrating responsible business, the leadership that makes it happen and the benefits to the business and society of doing so. Communities and consumers need to see that businesses are proactive, visible and engaged on the big issues of the day, as the airport has demonstrated."

The best of the National Big Tick winners will go forward to judging panels to identify an overall Example of Excellence award in each category, with two entries from Manchester Airport going through. The overall winners will be announced in London at the Awards for Excellence Gala Event sponsored by Unilever on 5 July.

Manchester Airport was the joint highest new entry in the Business in the Community's Corporate Responsibility Index (CRI), which is the UK's leading voluntary benchmark of corporate responsibility. The CRI helps companies to integrate and improve corporate responsibility throughout their business operations, by providing a systematic approach to managing, measuring and reporting on business impacts in society and on the environment.

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For more information contact the Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or email press.office@manairport.co.uk or Ochuko Adekoya at Business in the Community on 020 7566 8758.

Passengers will soon feel the benefit of more improvements to airport security after a £12 million investment in new high-speed passenger luggage screening x-ray technology developed by Rapiscan Systems.

The airport first tested Real Time Tomography, or RTT, in 2009 as part of its continued investment programme - including the installation of Rapiscan Systems' body scanners - that is dedicated to improving security and providing a better experience for passengers.

Installation of the new RTT machines is expected to begin in Spring 2012 with the project completed by Autumn 2012.

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 significantly improves detection of potential threats to aviation security, reduces delays in baggage handling, increases the efficiency of airport operations and improves the overall experience of airport customers.

Manchester Airport has worked 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, on a number of security developments with RTT being the latest deal.

Andrew Harrison, Managing Director, Manchester Airport, said: "Our order for the RTT technology is the latest innovative development in our approach to aviation security both in terms of improving customer service and managing potential threats. We have worked closely with Rapiscan on the development of the RTT including its trial at Manchester Airport in 2009. With its revolutionary design and unprecedented performance, Rapiscan's RTT will help us to maintain our reputation as one of Europe's most passenger friendly airports."

The RTT system works unlike other systems on the marketplace. Thanks to its innovative fixed gantry design, the RTT captures images of baggage at significantly faster speeds than the existing baggage screening technologies and 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.

Rapiscan Systems' President, Ajay Mehra, said: "We appreciate that Manchester Airports Group has selected the RTT and look forward to supporting their continued initiatives to improve airport security and efficiency. Our next generation CT system, the RTT, allows airports to meet current and upcoming screening standards with dramatically lower overall infrastructure costs."

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For more information contact the Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or Rapiscan Systems, Andrew Goldsmith on 001 703 812 0322. More images available from press.office@manairport.co.uk

TAP Portugal has launched its inaugural flight from Manchester (UK) to Lisbon, the capital city of Portugal, commencing today (June 1st). The airline will run six non-stop flights a week offering full services in business and economy class.

The new service has also allowed TAP to extend its flight offerings from other UK departure points to long haul destinations like New York, Miami, Dakar, Caracas, Rio de Janeiro and So Paulo, with connections to other South American cities on flights operated by code-share partners.

Other global business destinations such as Brasilia, Luanda and Dakar will also be reachable thanks to the new Manchester - Lisbon link. Early indications are that the new flight has received solid support from the market with a 75% load factor on today's service and with approximately 15,000 customers booked over the coming months. Today's flight has customers travelling to widely diverse destinations in Europe and South America such as Madeira, Porto, the Azores, Rio de Janeiro, Natal and Recife.

"The addition of Manchester as TAP's new destination in Northwest England is an important step towards the increased size of the company's European network, due to be completed during June 2011, with six new destinations entering the operation in Europe alone", said Carlos Paneiro, Vice President Sales for TAP Portugal. "The United Kingdom is the number one market for Portugal in terms of inbound tourism. Thus, the launch of direct operations between Manchester and Lisbon is very relevant to us as an airline, as Manchester is an important economic and industrial city in the UK, served by an efficient airport with a strong presence of major network carriers and able to accommodate air traffic expansion in the future".

The new Manchester service joins Miami, Athens, Bordeaux, Vienna, Porto Alegre and Dusseldorf on the list of new destinations so far announced in 2011 by TAP with an increase of European destinations of over 17% to its previous coverage. Total destinations served by TAP Portugal from the summer will be 69, with further announcements due later in the year.

Andrew Harrison, Manchester Airport's Managing Director, said: "Having TAP Portugal announce a route to Lisbon from Manchester will not only give passengers access to Portugal's capital city but TAP are also one of the largest carriers of passengers to South America from Europe and that opens even more destinations to our customer base in the North West. This adds another large European capital to our route network and we know it'll prove popular with passengers from Manchester."

Angie Robinson, Chief Executive of MIDAS, Manchester's inward investment agency, said: "TAP Portugal's new route is a fantastic addition to the Manchester Airport route network. It's extremely important to Manchester - in terms of projects, Europe currently generates the most Foreign Direct Investment for the region. The business class flights from Lisbon will offer a great opportunity to develop links with Portugal.

"The Lisbon connection also opens up destinations further afield, in particular those in South America. Manchester has already been working closely with Brazil for example, to promote Soccerex - the world's international football convention, which has staged its last two European Forums here and its Global Convention in Rio de Janeiro. The increased connectivity now available via TAP Portugal can only help to enhance such business relationships between these destinations."

[Left-to-Right: Angie Robinson (MIDAS); Caroline Plant (Manchester Airport) & Carlos Paneiro (TAP Portugal).]

Business travellers, particularly those in the Small/Medium sized category (SME) shall also be able to earn points within the Star Alliance Company Plus (SACP) programme, whereby frequent travellers can earn loyalty "Pluspoints" to trade in for earned free tickets, free upgrades, cash back, quality gift items from the in-house Worldshop; as well as airport parking, limousine transfers, hotels and other programme partners. SACP membership is free to join with 13 STAR alliance airlines offering over 500 destinations to choose from. More details can be found at www.sacp.co.uk

Prices start from £55 one way and include all taxes, on-board drinks & snacks, frequent flyer miles, generous free baggage allowances, free golf equipment carriage (up to 15kgs), advance seat selection, no charges for boarding passes or credit/debit card fees. In addition, there will be access to airport lounges (with some minor restrictions).

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For more information please contact Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or email press.office@manairport.co.uk

Cheshire's Gardens of Distinction project celebrates the richness and diversity of Cheshire's horticultural heritage and green spaces. Delivered by Marketing Cheshire, the Cheshire's Gardens of Distinction project aims to achieve significant impact for the regional tourism industry from local, national and international markets.
Through funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) the project works with 31 gardens under the banner of 'Cheshire's Gardens of Distinction' to actively promote the group as the 'Home of England's Finest Gardens'.

Wendy Sinfield, Community Relations Manager for Manchester Airport, said: "The airport aims to focus our community work on those areas that are close to the Airport and suffer the greatest economic and social need. By working with the Gardens of Distinction project we have been able to take young people, many from urban schools, out in to the countryside and gardens of Cheshire. We've worked with community artist Andy on several occasions in our work with local schools and we knew that the work would be a welcome addition to our terminals."

For this project, the aim was to widen participation and interest in the gardens for young people and families who may never have had the opportunity to visit them before. Schools were selected by Manchester Airport predominantly from areas close to the airport and underprivileged areas. Working with Andy, the children then produced unique examples that depict key features of the gardens showcasing the talent of the children and marketing the gardens as a tourist attraction.

The schools each worked in partnership with one of the garden sites so Adlington Hall hosted a visit from Rackhouse Primary School, Arley Hall & Gardens worked with Mobberley Church of England School, Capesthorne Hall worked with St Elizabeth's Catholic Primary School, Dunham Massey paired with Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Lyme Park worked with St Anthonys RC Primary School, Quarry Bank Mill Gardens & Styal Estate hosted a visit from Styal Primary School and Tatton Park hosted a visit from St Aidans Catholic Primary School.

Caroline Hoppe, Project Manager for Cheshire's Gardens of Distinction at Marketing Cheshire said: "The Cheshire's Gardens of Distinction project is delighted to be working in partnership with Manchester Airport on the schools arts project. The primary school children have produced outstanding works of art depicting 7 of our 31 Gardens of Distinction so far and look forward to seeing the further pictures to come over the seasons. We hope the pictures not only motivate the school children to come back with their families to explore the rest of Cheshire's Garden of Distinction but inspire the millions of passengers who walk through Terminal 3 arrivals to discover why we really are the Home of England's Finest Gardens."

In all there will be 27 pictures produced during 2011 and the first 7 have now gone on display in the airport in the Terminal 3 Domestic Baggage reclaim area. An 8th has already been delivered from the work of Statham Primary School who visited Walton Hall and Gardens. Nine more are expected in May and June.

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For more information contact the Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or email press.office@manairport.co.uk

Notes on Gardens:

Flagship Gardens of Distinction: Tatton Park, Lyme Park, Chester Zoological Garden, Arley Hall & Gardens, Jodrell Bank, Ness Botanic Gardens, Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, Capesthorne Hall, Gawsworth Hall and Norton Priory.

Further Gardens of Distinction: Adlington Hall, Dunham Massey, Mount Pleasant, Walkden Gardens, Quarry Bank Mill Estate & Gardens, Eaton Estate, Rode Hall, Weeping Ash Garden, The Quinta Arboretum, Combermere Abbey, Walton Hall Gardens, Hare Hill, Stapeley Water Gardens, Dunge Valley Hidden gardens, Dorfold Hall, Bridgemere Garden World, Bluebell Cottage Gardens, Stonyford Cottage Nursery & Gardens, Ness Gardens, Little Moreton Hall, Abbeywood Gardens and Cloister Garth Chester Cathedral.

Developed by local tourism board, Marketing Cheshire in partnership with European Regional Development Fund, the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and Cheshire's leading gardens.

Cheshire's Gardens of Distinction programme celebrates the richness and diversity of Cheshire's horticultural heritage and green spaces. Building on the success of Cheshire's Year of Gardens 08 marketing programme, the project aims to continue to achieve significant impact for the regional tourism industry from local, national and international markets.

ERDF in the Northwest: The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) is making a real difference to people and businesses in the Northwest. With €755 million to invest between 2007 and 2013, ERDF is enhancing the competitiveness of the region's economy by supporting growth in enterprise and employment. ERDF in the Northwest is managed by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). For further information please visit www.erdfnw.co.uk

For further information please visit www.visitcheshire.com/gardens

The Manchester Airport-supported performances are a special preview of Manchester International Festival's (MIF) Music Boxes project, and take place on 24th and 25th May at Wythenshawe Forum Centre and St John's Church in Knutsford, respectively. Music Boxes, a free melodic adventure for children aged 6 months to 7 years, will run for two weeks during MIF, from 2 - 17 July at Salford Quays.

The two areas, which are located at either end of the airport's runways and rank among some of the most deprived communities in the country, will benefit from Manchester Airport's role as Official Sponsors of MIF, as every single place for each of the three 30-minutes performances on each day is totally free.

Recent research into the so-called 'Mozart Effect' has claimed that exposing babies to music can boost IQ, improve health and strengthen family ties. The 'BabyO' show seamlessly combines recorded music with live singing, and uses sounds and words that babies can understand, helping to stimulate the beginnings of language development.

The show's composer, Rachel Drury, has focused on the idea that melody; rhythm and harmony will attract babies' newly developed sense of hearing and looked at how nursery rhymes closely match operatic musical patterns.

The shows will be performed by three vocalists who instead of lyrics, will re-create baby-friendly noises, such as quacking ducks, splashing fish and buzzing bees. The audience will also be encouraged to gurgle along and to crawl over a furry garden set, featuring hand puppets and a range of themed props.

Dr Jennifer Cleary, Head of Creative Learning for Manchester International Festival said "BabyO is a magical musical experience for young children. Creativity starts at a very young age and BabyO offers mums and babies a fresh and fun environment to explore and enjoy music together. We're grateful to Manchester Airports Group for supporting these special previews and look forward to welcoming families into the BabyO world in Wythenshawe and Knutsford in May, and in Salford in July."

The Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is one of the largest arts sponsors in the UK, having committed £9million over the past twenty-two years - it is one of the official sponsors of the 2011 Manchester International Festival, having backed the biennial festival since its inception in 2007.

Dr. Jonathan Bailey, Director of External Affairs for the Manchester Airports Group, said: "One of the main objectives of our long-standing arts sponsorship programme is to inspire new audiences and promote art forms to those who would not normally have access to them, as part of our contribution to our local communities. We believe that a thriving theatre and arts scene helps to support inbound tourism and inward investment and are delighted to be a part of this unique project in two of our key local communities."

BabyO is for babies and infants aged 6-24 months. Tickets are free, but booking is essential as places are limited and entry is by ticket only. For more information or to book a place call 0161 489 5877 or email: babyO@manairport.co.uk

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For more information please contact the Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 / press.office@manairport.co.uk or visit www.scottishopera.org.uk.

Notes to editor:

• Performances on:
  24/05/11 at Wythenshawe Forum Centre, Manchester M22 5RT, at 11am, 12pm & 2pm
  25/05/11 at St John's Church, Knutsford WA16 6DH, at 11am, 12pm & 2pm

Manchester International Festival, the world's first festival of original, new work and special events, takes place biennially in Manchester, UK. The Festival launched in 2007 as an artist-led, commissioning festival presenting new works from across the spectrum of performing arts, visual arts and popular culture. Manchester International Festival will run from Thursday 30 June - Sunday 17 July 2011. Tickets for Music Boxes are free and will be released on 1 June via www.mif.co.uk.

Music Boxes is commissioned by MIF Creative, BBC, Salford City Council and Abu Dhabi Festival. Produced with Manchester International Festival and CBeebies. With support from AGMA (Association of Greater Manchester Authorities).

The Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is the largest UK-owned airport operator, currently serving a total of 24 million passengers annually at its four airports - Manchester, East Midlands, Humberside and Bournemouth. It also runs a commercial property business called MAG Developments. Manchester Airport is the UK's largest regional airport serving more than 190 destinations worldwide and contributes over £1billion to the North West economy.

Now passengers travelling from Terminal 3 will see how their feedback has been used to change the departure lounge.

The changes were made after passenger survey scores for Terminal 3 dropped following the improvement of Terminals 1 and 2. The top five things that passengers wanted were: better wayfinding, more seats in the departure area, more flight information screens, an improved security area with more lanes open and better retail and catering.

Manchester Airport's Managing Director, Andrew Harrison, said: "Passengers travelling through Terminal 3 have told us that they think Terminal 3 could be improved which is why we have invested in the departure lounge.

Although this work addresses the main five areas of concern for our passengers, we know that there's more to do. Passenger feedback will continue to be part of our focus on creating a great experience for travellers through Manchester Airport."

Over £2 million has been invested in Terminal 3's redesign in addition to the £80 million investment in redeveloping Terminals 1 and 2 since the start of the project in 2007.

The Terminal 3 work includes the modernisation of flight information screens with the introduction of several plasma screens, clearer wayfinding signage, replacement flooring tiles on the upper level, plus the creation of four brand new shops and one new catering unit on the upper level.

Trattoria Milano, run by HMSHost, which is part of Autogrill Group, is making its debut at Manchester Airport. Trattoria Milano offers a variety of freshly made paninis, pastas, salads, and handmade pizzas. As part of the dining experience, guests will receive recipes of their dishes to take away. An extensive wine and spirits list is designed to complement any meal.

The four new shops are passenger favourites such as Dixons Travel, Rolling Luggage Swatch and Tie Rack. Costa Coffee will also be getting a new image to creating a relaxing area in the corner of the departure lounge later in the year.

Terminal 3 was originally opened by Diana, Princess of Wales in 1995 and is the newest of Manchester Airport's three terminals.

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For more information please contact the Manchester Airports Group (MAG) press office on 0161 489 2700 or by email press.office@manairport.co.uk

The Airport City location is one of only a few to be confirmed and following today's agreement from the Council Executive, the Manchester Airports Group (MAG) will be working alongside other stakeholders and local authorities to bring forward proposals for a definitive boundary and the required governance arrangements for the zone as soon as possible. Now that the core proposition has been endorsed, phase 1 of the development will now go out for public consultation.

Charlie Cornish, Chief Executive of the Manchester Airports Group, welcomed the news saying: "This announcement represents a significant achievement for the Greater Manchester region and an exciting opportunity to move forward with the Airport City proposal so that we can realise the potential for creating over 7,000 jobs, while seeing additional revenues re-invested throughout Greater Manchester. In partnership with our key stakeholders, we will be progressing the project straight away and looking to build on this opportunity for the region."

MAG Developments, the property development arm of the Group, has been working on the masterplan for the site and was endorsed for consultation today (6th April) by the Manchester City Council Executive. Urban Strategies, Drivers Jonas Deloitte and Jones Lang Lasalle have assisted on the preparation of the masterplan.

John Atkins, Managing Director of MAG Developments, said: " We welcome the agreement of the Council Executive as it allows us to prepare for a start on site early in 2012. The designation of the Airport City as an Enterprise Zone last week underlined the importance of making quick progress on the site and will allow us to move ahead with the development and infrastructure framework."

Airport City is a concept, the first phase of which is located on land between the airport and Wythenshawe, to the north of the airport. It will connect the initial development close to the airport with a wider set of opportunities within Wythenshawe including the University Hospital of South Manchester's (UHSM) Medipark initiative and the regeneration of the Town Centre.

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "Airport City will see the creation of thousands of jobs which will be critical to ensure the city's success as we emerge from the economic downturn. It also provides us with a unique opportunity to significantly accelerate Manchester's economic growth and realise our ambitions for the airport as a global business destination. As we move into a consultation process, we welcome comments on this important development."

While Airport City will be a uniquely different proposition, it will aim to build upon the global connectivity of the airport and create a project to compete with other locations in Barcelona, Amsterdam and Dusseldorf. Airport cities require infrastructure capacity and an ability to grow the network of direct air routes; first class ground transportation and associated developable land assets to support the new function. All of these are available at Manchester Airport.

Businesses that are expected to want to locate at Airport City will include logistics, freight forwarders, advanced manufacturers, those seeking high quality office accommodation, research and development, health related uses to build on the proximity to Wythenshawe Hospital as a centre of excellence, visitor accommodation, hotels and leisure uses to support the delivery of Airport City.

As announced during the Budget, the Enterprise Zones are expected to benefit from a business rate discount worth up to £275,000 per eligible business over a five year period, while all business rate growth within the zone for a period of at least 25 years will be shared and retained by the local area, to ensure that Enterprise Zone growth is reinvested locally.

It is anticipated that detailed planning applications will be ready to be submitted, subject to the public consultation, by the end of 2011 and work on the first phase of Airport City will begin in 2012.

For more information or to register an interest in locating at Airport City, please see: www.airportcity.co.uk

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If you are a journalist and require more information, please contact MAG Developments press office on 0161 489 2700 or press.office@mag-developments.com

MAG is one of the largest arts sponsors in the UK, with its unique sponsorship programme now entering its twenty-second year. It aims to promote art forms to those who would not normally have access to them, create jobs in the process and expanding the cultural life of the nation.

This latest allocation amounts to £575,000 and will support a range of projects from high profile organisations to smaller community initiatives.

The arts organisations that have been successful include the Bridgewater Hall; the 24:7 theatre festival; the Bury Met; Buxton Festival; Halle Orchestra; Library Theatre Company; the Lowry; Manchester International Festival; Wigan Jazz; Tatton Park Biennial; Bolton Octagon; Oldham Coliseum; Royal Exchange Theatre; Manchester Pride and Queer Up North.

Jonathan Bailey, Director of External Affairs for the Manchester Airports Group, said: "It is a very difficult time for arts organisations in the current economic climate, but we have always been committed to enriching culture in the regions where our airports are based and supporting arts organisations as part of our contribution to our local communities. We believe that a thriving theatre and arts scene helps to support inbound tourism and inward investment. In the current climate, we are aware of how difficult it is running these organisations and events but we are proud to play our part in supporting them."

Another of the beneficiaries will be the Manchester International Festival, which takes place between 30th June and 17th July, and Manchester Airport is again one of the official sponsors, as it was in 2007 and 2009. It is the world's first festival of original, new work and special events and is held biennially across Manchester. This year's festival will include 'The Life and Death of Marina Abramović' starring Willem Dafoe while the comedienne Victoria Wood will stage her story of the Manchester Children's Choir - 'That Day We Sang'. Snoop Dogg and Bjrk are among the other commissioned artists at MIF 2011.

Chris Honer, Artistic Director for the Library Theatre Company, which is based in Hulme, Manchester, said: "We are very grateful for the ongoing and valuable support of Manchester Airports Group. Their financial support will help deliver our programme of work, both on-stage, and our extensive community and education outreach work."

The Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is the largest UK-owned airport operator, currently serving a total of 24 million passengers annually at its four airports - Manchester, East Midlands, Humberside and Bournemouth. It also runs a commercial property business called MAG Developments. Manchester Airport is the UK's largest regional airport serving more than 190 destinations worldwide and contributes over £1billion to the North West economy.

-ENDS-
For more information please contact the Manchester Airports Group (MAG) press office on 0161 489 2700 or by email press.office@manairport.co.uk

Notes to editor:

• As owner of East Midlands Airport and Bournemouth Airport, MAG has also committed sponsorship to Spark Children's Arts Festival Leicestershire and the Dorset Music Festival, respectively.

The emphasis of the designated Enterprise Zones will be on offering incentives to businesses to locate and expand in these targeted areas - including reduced business tax rates within the zones and prioritised super-fast broadband, all as part of plans to grow local economies and jobs by removing barriers for new companies.

In Greater Manchester, the Enterprise Zone will centre on the development of an 'Airport City' project, which will be a high quality, mixed-use commercial community that makes full use of its location at a major transport interchange with access to rail, Metrolink, bus and road networks as well as national and international air travel.

Charlie Cornish, Chief Executive of Manchester Airports Group (MAG), said: "Manchester Airport is the principal international gateway to the region and is primed for an investment of this scale, amassing over sixty acres. Our development programme will expand the world freight terminal, create new business space, attract global businesses and provide health related uses. It will build upon the proximity of Wythenshawe Hospital as an international centre of excellence, science, research and advanced manufacturing."

Sir Richard Leese of Manchester City Council said: "Airport City has a major opportunity to create a commercial product of global significance and under the leadership of Manchester Airport we look forward to working with the fullest range of stakeholders to ensure details are developed following consultation as soon as possible. The selection of Airport City followed independent assessment of where the greatest benefit for the Greater Manchester economy would be delivered. We have the potential to create over 7,000 jobs as a result of successful development, and our approach to capturing tax revenues is designed to ensure their re-investment throughout Greater Manchester, including infrastructure. We recognise that Greater Manchester is a single labour market and that we must deliver a single economic strategy and our new governance arrangements which are due to become operational on the 1st April will be crucial to helping local authorities and our LEP to deliver this."

John Atkins, Managing Director of the airport's commercial property business, MAG Developments, said: "Airport City will provide the Manchester region with a true international offer and will transform the airport from a transport hub into a business destination. Enterprise Zone status helps attract new investment and brings trade into the country. It is a significant step for the project and one we are extremely pleased to announce. We will try to ensure that the jobs created have local benefits so we can play a part in the regeneration of communities like Wythenshawe."

Mike Blackburn on behalf of the Shadow Local Enterprise Partnership said: "I welcome the announcement which is an encouraging response to the need to drive the maximum growth in Greater Manchester. There is of course a lot of details to be fully worked through but under the guidance of Manchester Airport and in close consultation with the fullest range of stakeholders this will be major priority for the LEP when it is formally established next month."

Publication of the planning framework for public consultation is due imminently, with the first phase of the 'Airport City' development potentially commencing early next year.

**FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER AN INTEREST, PLEASE GO TO: www.manchesterairportez.co.uk **

-ENDS-

For more information please contact the Manchester Airports Group (MAG) press office on 0161 489 2700 or press.office@manairport.co.uk

The new centre, which is expected to be operational in 2012, will employ up to 160 people and operate in addition to Etihad's existing contact centres in Abu Dhabi, India and Australia.

Etihad is currently working with Manchester Airports Group to identify a suitable location on the airport campus for the centre.

James Hogan, Etihad Airways' Chief Executive Officer, said: "Our contact centres handle around 2.5 million calls each year, and we expect more than half of these calls to originate from non-Arabic speaking markets by 2012.

"As our network continues to grow, it is increasingly important for us to provide high quality, multilingual assistance for customers who choose to book directly with the airline.

"We looked closely at a range of potential locations in the United Kingdom and Europe, and undertook extensive research to find the location that offered us a population base with the right mix of languages and skill sets, as well as a high quality of telecommunications infrastructure.

"Manchester offered everything we needed, and had the added attraction of having strong, well-established business links with Abu Dhabi - a relationship we look forward to developing further."

Mr Hogan paid tribute to the Manchester Investment and Development Agency (MIDAS), which had - under the guidance of the Chief Executive Officer of Manchester City Council, Sir Howard Bernstein - made a compelling case for Manchester as a centre of excellence.

"MIDAS will continue to offer support and guidance as we commence recruitment for the centre," Mr Hogan said.

Charlie Cornish, Chief Executive of the Manchester Airports Group (MAG), said: "Today's announcement reinforces our belief that Manchester Airport has the facilities to support the growth of airlines like Etihad and alongside their new premium lounge in Terminal 1 and the increased capacity on the Abu Dhabi route, we are delighted to see them continuing their investment in the region. We believe that there are unrivalled opportunities on offer at the airport and we hope to see many more deals of this nature in the future."

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "It is excellent news that Etihad is to base its European call centre here in Manchester, and we warmly welcome the announcement. I'm very grateful for the confidence Etihad is showing in Manchester, a demonstration that we really are leaders in this field and can provide a level of service which is second-to-none. It also shows that Manchester continues to be an attractive investment location for global business."

Angie Robinson, Chief Executive at MIDAS, said: "MIDAS is delighted that Etihad has chosen Manchester as the home for their new European Contact Centre. This investment, which is set to create 160 jobs for the region, is testament to the strengths of Manchester's multi-lingual talent pool and its ability to support major pan-European operations. MIDAS worked closely with Etihad to demonstrate why Manchester was the right location for this project and we're looking forward to continuing to work alongside them as they grow their presence here."

The Minister for Trade and Investment, Lord Green, said: "I am delighted Etihad Airways has chosen Manchester for its first contact centre in Europe and I wish them every success with their investment."

"The UK is the number one destination for contact centres in Europe and today's announcement is a boost for Manchester. Etihad has chosen Manchester for its international connections, its strong telecommunications and ICT infrastructure as well as its supply of language talent. Today's announcement comes just ahead of Etihad's 5th anniversary on the Manchester-Abu Dhabi route - the airline commenced operations to Manchester on March 26 2006 - and follows the recent announcement that Etihad increase its frequency to a double daily service operated by A330 aircraft from August 1, 2011.

Etihad's commitment to Manchester also includes the opening of an Etihad premium lounge at Manchester Airport in December 2010 - one of only four lounges outside its home base of Abu Dhabi, and the shirt sponsorship of the Manchester City Football Club.

- Ends -

For further details, visit www.etihadairways.com or www.etihadmediacentre.com

Established in 2003, the campaign aims to secure better outcomes from the railways in the North West of England for passengers and businesses. Susan is focussed on ensuring that the investment in the rail network is directed at those proposals which deliver the strongest set of economic benefits to the North West. During the next two years Government will re-franchise the services currently operated by Virgin West Coast, Transpennine Express and Northern; define its infrastructure plans for the railway for the five-year period from 2014; and complete the first phase of planning for a high-speed railway to the North West.

One of Susan's objectives will be to assist in making the case to government for over £500m of capital investment in Network Rail's plans for the Northern Hub plan.

Welcoming the appointment, Geoff Muirhead CBE, the Chair of the Campaign's Steering Group, said: "During my time as Chief Executive of the Manchester Airports Group, we were supporters of the objectives of the campaign and I was delighted to see Network Rail deliver its Northern Hub report last year suggesting a sensible solution to the railway bottlenecks in the North West. If we remove historic bottlenecks, we can reduce journey times and provide more capacity for passenger and freight trains; all in all this will deliver a network that is suitable for the 21st century. It is a problem of national strategic importance that urgently needs a commitment to its resolution. "

The last ten years have seen a transformation in rail services across the North of England with more and more passengers choosing to travel by train. In the medium term the North West economy is forecast to continue to grow. Fast and reliable links between cities in the North will be essential to supporting the growth of jobs and businesses.

Susan Williams, the new 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 over a century ago. It's an issue that affects services across the Trans-Pennine route, and will continue to hamper our growth and the prospects for important Northern cities and towns like Leeds, Bradford, Sheffield, Newcastle, Preston, Manchester, Warrington, Chester and Liverpool. It's a situation that we must make headway on during the next two years."

The campaign is supported by Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the North West Business Leadership Team, Manchester Airport, GMPTE, Mersey Travel, and many of the local authorities in the North West. More information on the campaign's aims and members is available here: http://www.nwrailcampaign.org

ENDS

To speak to Susan Williams contact the campaign's press office on 0161 489 8746 or email: press.office@manairport.co.uk

The Fair Tax on Flying campaign is an alliance of more than 25 airlines, airports,
tour operators, destinations and trade associations who are uniting to call on the Government to make the system of aviation tax in the UK fairer. The UK already pays the highest level of aviation tax of any nation in Europe.

Jonathan Bailey, External Affairs Director for the Manchester Airports Group (MAG), said: "As an industry, we welcome that the Government has identified tourism as one of the top five industries to drive growth and we now need a system of taxation that supports that objective. The Government has indicated that they want to create the conditions for regional airports to flourish yet Air Passenger Duty makes regional airports less attractive to international carriers, leading them to choose alternative hubs such as Amsterdam. Many UK travellers are unaware that they pay the highest levels of flight tax in Europe and this is not a system that we can allow to continue if the Government is serious about allowing the North's economy to prosper."

The Fair Tax on Flying campaign members include: ABTA, ANTOR, AOA, British Airways, BAA, BAR UK, BATA, BMI, Bristol Airport, ETOA, Gatwick Airport, Jet2.com, Lastminute.com, Leeds Bradford Airport, London City Aiport, Luton Airport, Manchester Airports Group, Manston Airport, Monarch, Newcastle Airport, The Caribbean Council, The Co-Operative Travel, Thomas Cook, Tourism Alliance, TUI Travel PLC, ukinbound and Virgin Atlantic.

Cabin crew members from the North's leisure airline Jet2.com were also at Manchester Airport to highlight their support for the campaign.

Ian Doubtfire, Managing Director of Jet2.com, said, "We offer our customers great value leisure flights to city, sun and ski destinations and want to make it possible for people to be able to travel from their local airport at a price they can afford. The taxes imposed on UK flyers, the highest in Europe, discourage people and are unfair, and they are set to rise with nothing for people to show for the high tax they have paid. This burden on customers will increase with the introduction of the EU emissions trading scheme in 2012. Jet2.com calls for the UK Government to ensure that APD is reduced with the introduction of emissions trading and not just used as an extra means of generating tax from hard pressed consumers".

More information can be found at www.facebook.com/afairtaxonflying or at http://www.abta.com/about/lobbying_and_government_affairs/afairtaxonflying

ENDS

For more information, contact the Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or at press.office@manairport.co.uk or Jet2.com on 0113 243 1355 or email pressoffice@jet2.com

[WFT in 1986] - [WFT in 2009]

[WFT in 2011]

The external upgrade and improvement works have seen the original World Freight Terminal (WFT) cladding - iconic red, white and black stripes as seen by millions of passengers since the WFT opened in November 1985 - replaced with a new "Nova Oyster" Grey coloured over-cladding, matching the exterior of the airport's three passenger terminals.

The project has also included upgrading insulation and replacement of existing roof lights to provide additional natural lighting within the WFT buildings, along with replacing rainwater pipes and relining the guttering.

Jenny Smith, Property Manager, MAG Developments, said: "As a customer-focused business, we were impressed with Rooftop Solutions' innovative systems and their dynamic approach to completing this project without disrupting the day-to-day operations of the businesses based at the WFT. We are delighted with the quality of the finished work - it will ensure that we can continue to meet the needs of our own customers by providing quality accommodation and exceptional customer service."

MAG Developments is responsible for the management and development of all the commercial property and land at Manchester Airport. Part of the Manchester Airports Group (MAG) - which also includes East Midlands, Bournemouth and Humberside airports - MAG Developments' £320m Group-wide portfolio comprises over 200 properties across 5000 acres, serving over more than 850 companies. Its World Freight Terminal deals with cargo aircraft and freight consignments that arrive or depart in the holds of passenger aircraft at Manchester Airport. In 2010 this equated to around 120,000 tonnes.

Mark Colbert, Contracts Director, Rooftop Solutions Ltd, said: "This was a huge project and somewhat unique as the World Freight Terminal is in operation 24-hours a day, 365-days a year, with a variety of businesses based there - all in addition to the stringent security requirements of an international airport."

He added: "To have delivered the refurbishment of this iconic facility is a real coup for us and we hope that our client-friendly approach will enable us to achieve our goal of establishing ourselves as one of the market leaders in the provision of industrial and commercial roofing contracting and consultancy services."

Specialising in all aspects of industrial and commercial projects from concept through to completion, Rooftop Solutions Limited is based at Wingates Industrial Park, Westhoughton in Bolton, Greater Manchester.

-ENDS-

For more information, contact the Manchester Airports Group press office on 0161 489 2700 or press.office@manairport.co.uk

The project will replace the current Air Traffic Control (ATC) facilities. The new tower will be located adjacent to the north fire station and is expected to be complete in 2013.

Set to stand at 60m high it will become an iconic building rivaling the Manchester big wheel. The present, 40-year-old Air Traffic Control centre on top of the tower block will be reviewed as part of the renovating process.

With 360-degree panoramic views, it will provide unrivalled views of the entire airfield operation. At present, cameras are used by controllers to assist with the view to the furthest runway end.

The tower will house a new visual control room, an approach radar section and navigation, surveillance and communication equipment to ensure Air Traffic Control can effectively service the long-term investment and future growth of the airport.

The new tower will be a stand alone, purpose built building, with the base of the building housing a new equipment centre and offices for ATC, which is carried out at Manchester by Air Traffic Control company, National Air Traffic Services (NATS).

Tim McDermott, Manchester Airport's Operations Director, said: "This new Air Traffic Control Tower will offer 21st century facilities that will be a fantastic new addition to the Manchester skyline. It will further strengthen our great relationship with NATS and I am very pleased to be working together to create what will be an iconic building."

NATS will manage the equipment and run the tower's 24-hour operation while Manchester Airport will own and maintain the building.

Paul Jones, NATS' General Manager at Manchester Airport, said: "This is fantastic news for Manchester Airport and the Air Traffic Control team. It will introduce new technology and new ways of working, making the Manchester control tower one of the most advanced operations in Europe and offering a platform to develop into the future. We are delighted to be involved in this landmark project."

ENDS

For further information please contact Manchester airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or email press.office@manairport.co.uk

Link to YouTube video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=nL5__bUwX_I

People living under the flight path of the airport are being urged not to use the lanterns as they could bring down a plane due to how unguided and wind dependent they are. Over 60 lantern remnants were found on the runway over the course of the festive season.

The lanterns, which can reach heights of around one mile up into the sky and are made of paper and metal, can cause a very real safety risk to aircraft if the lanterns get sucked into the aircraft's engine.

Some European countries, including Austria and Germany, have already banned the lanterns but there are currently no restrictions in force in Britain.

Tim McDermott, Manchester Airport's Operations Director, said: "Chinese lanterns are becoming more and more popular but they are completely unguided and wind dependent and even the ones made out of bamboo contain metal parts.

"Although we haven't had any reported incidents at the airport, given their popularity particularly at this time of year it is a risk we would like people to be aware of and think through the location from where they release lanterns. You don't need to be an engine specialist to know that a piece of metal getting into an aircraft engine can't be good news.

"Unlike fireworks, nobody actually knows what range and height they can manage and pilots say they have seen them at several thousand feet. Fireworks and lanterns can dazzle a pilot at a critical moment in the flight. It is not our intention to be party poopers but we have to protect the safety of passengers, aircraft and our neighbours."

Mark Swan, Director of Airspace Policy at the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), said: "Unfortunately, sky lanterns do pose a very real safety risk to aircraft. They can be ingested into the engines of airborne aircraft and also become debris on runways. We urge anyone releasing lanterns to think carefully about the consequences to aviation and if necessary to contact local airports well in advance to warn them of the impending release."

Wildlife experts have also previously asked people to think twice before using lanterns after reports they have been ingested by animals.

The cutting edge technology, which is well established in the music industry including bringing the animated band Gorillaz to life, is being trialled in an effort to cut security queues.

Passengers in Terminal 1 will now be met by John and Julie; recordings of actual customer service staff John Walsh and Julie Capper who currently work as part of the customer service team at the UK's largest regional airport.

The eyecatching holograms of John and Julie will greet passengers before they enter the security search area to explain the liquid restrictions and remind travellers to have their boarding cards ready.

The technology has been developed in conjunction with Musion, and uses a texture that is carefully prepared during manufacture to retain maximum transparency and strength. The resulting surface betters that of a glass mirror, allowing the reproduction of high definition video at such high quality that they look real. So much so that passengers at Manchester Airport have been seen presenting their passports to the holograms!

Musion founder James Rock has been using his technology in the music industry lately having worked with the Black Eyed Peas on their latest single 'The Time (Dirty Bit)'. James Rock said: "We've developed this technology for many uses but it's perfectly suited for an airport environment where the support of recorded messages can help with passenger information. It's something we've worked on for a number of years and at Musion and we'd like to see its widespread use for practical purposes like the virtual assistants.

"We can reproduce musical performances and as an example Simon Cowell had a hologram of Frank Sinatra perform at his 50th birthday so you can see where we can take this technology."

Although John and Julie will remind passengers about the current liquid restrictions any message can be recorded.

Julie Armstrong, Customer Services Director at Manchester Airport, said: "We are always looking for new ways to improve the experience of our airport for customers. But four years after the restrictions were introduced, passengers understandably forget about liquids. We don't want anyone to have to throw their drink or make up away so we've tried lots of different ways to reinforce the liquid rules, from posters to people dressed up as giant deodorant cans! Maybe holograms are the answer? You certainly can't miss them and with the real John and Julie already being popular with our customers, I'm hopeful that their virtual selves will be a big hit too."

Talking about his hologram, the real John Walsh said: "The liquid restrictions remain an area of confusion for many of our passengers and it's something we still have to spend a lot of time reminding our passengers. That can slow the process down for everyone and that's something we want to find a solution to. If you look at the entrance to most security areas in airports, a lot of space is set aside for information relating to the current restrictions."

Restrictions on liquids were introduced in 2006 after a plot was uncovered to smuggle liquid explosives on board transatlantic airliners and detonate them mid-flight. The issue of airport security has returned this week with the bomb at Moscow's Domodedovo airport and the recent raising of the Home Office threat level from substantial to severe.

Julie Capper said: "If our holograms help our passengers through the security process even quicker then it will be a good thing. I have to say it's strange to see yourself in virtual form and I'm hoping that I'll be able to rely on my virtual self to carry some of my workload. I wonder if I can send it to meetings in my place and whether anyone will notice."

The holograms will be in place in Manchester Airport's Terminal 1 from Monday. Other airports around the UK are currently investigating their installation.

ENDS

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

Link to Youtube video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=963hFR3fCWs

• Passengers are allowed to take liquids, gels and pastes of 100 mls or less in their hand baggage but these items must be contained within a small, transparent re-sealable plastic bag, which are removed from hand baggage and x-rayed separately.

• Passengers requiring further information about the security process at Manchester can refer to the website at:
  http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/Content/SecurityProcedure

It is the first time such a service has been offered from Manchester Airport and has come about as a direct result of feedback from business travellers in the region.

John Atkins, Managing Director of MAG Developments, said: "We know from previous years that significant demand exists for this service, as MIPIM is a vital opportunity for securing future investment in the property sector for Greater Manchester."

MAG Developments is the property and development arm of the Manchester Airports Group (MAG), responsible for the management and development of commercial property and land at Manchester Airport - the two companies are joint key sponsors of the Manchester at MIPIM Partnership.

Andrew Harrison, Manchester Airport's Managing Director, added: "Working in close partnership with MAG Developments, we have put together a unique package that represents fantastic value and is already proving very attractive to many people flying to MIPIM from the North of England."

The flight, which will be operated by Jet2.com's unique "Manchester" branded Boeing-737 aircraft (G-CELI), is part of an exclusive Manchester Airport MIPIM Experience travel package that also includes free airport car parking, private check-in with a generous 23kg baggage allowance; fast-track security clearance; and entry into the new £1.5million Escape Lounge in Terminal 1 for complimentary food and drinks. Luxury coach transfers between Nice International Airport and nearby Cannes for MIPIM are also included in the price of £400.00 per person (inc. taxes).

David Partridge, Joint Chief Executive of property development company, Argent, said: "The 2011 Manchester Partnership is stronger than ever, and it's no surprise that MIPIM 2011 delegates have made use of this fantastic opportunity. Manchester is the only city outside London currently capable of filling an airliner. It's a real testament to the city's commitment to property development and to showcasing Manchester on an international stage and of the continuing confidence of the sector in the future of Manchester."

A limited number of seats on the flight remain - interested parties should contact Manchester Airport Travel on 0844 887 0812 to book a place. All travel is ABTA and ATOL bonded for peace of mind.

-ENDS-

Notes to editor

• The outbound flight departs Terminal 1 at Manchester Airport on Monday 7th March 2011 at 11:30hrs, arriving in Nice at 14:40hrs. The return flight departs Nice on Friday 11th March 2011 at 12:00hrs, arriving in Manchester at 13:20hrs.

• MIPIM is the world's premier real estate event, bringing together the most influential decision-makers in the industry, offering them access to the largest showcase of development opportunities during four days of uninterrupted activity in Cannes, with more than 20,000 attendees in 2010. The Manchester at MIPIM Partnership is led by Marketing Manchester and is supported by Manchester City Council. Since the city's debut in 2000 the level of interest in the Manchester Partnership has grown significantly. www.manchesteratmipim.com

• Jet2.com, the airline with Friendly Low Fares, currently offers over 1 million seats per year from Manchester, flying to 34 destinations. www.jet2.com

The facility refinances existing funding and will support the future investment and growth of MAG, which is the UK's largest British-owned airport group and serves 24 million passengers through its ownership and operation of Manchester, East Midlands, Bournemouth and Humberside Airports as well as the MAG Developments property business.

MAG's Group Finance Director, Ken Duncan, said: "We are pleased to have put in place a competitive funding structure with a strong group of relationship banks. This deal secures funds to support the development of our group of airports, demonstrating real confidence in our business and our strategy."

The deal represents one of the largest financing transactions arranged in Manchester in recent years. The facility is provided through existing relationship banks including Barclays, the Co-operative Bank, Handelsbanken and RBS, together with further strengthening through the addition of HSBC, National Australia Bank (through its subsidiary Yorkshire Bank) and Santander.

ENDS

For more information, contact the Manchester Airports Group press office on 0161 489 2700 or press.office@manairport.co.uk

So far a staggering 650,000 litres of de-icing fluid has been used to ensure aircraft can safely operate. With a total of 5cm of snow having fallen in sporadic bursts over the past few days, around 50,000 cubic metres of snow have been cleared from the airfield - enough to fill about 5000 large skips.

Over £2 million of investment in new equipment has also boosted the airport's existing fleet of snow clearing equipment, helping to ensure that one-million square metres of airfield remained fully operational during the big freeze. To put the size of the operation into context, Manchester Airport's Runway 1 is 3048 x 45 metres and Manchester United FC's Old Trafford pitch is 105 x 68 metres so each time snow is removed from Runway 1 alone, is the equivalent to clearing 19 football pitches.

With the airfield fully operational, by Tuesday 21 December, Manchester Airport was able to offer to help get flights away that should have departed from Heathrow Airport with around 600 passengers leaving that day to Doha and Hong Kong. Today, Manchester Airport expects to welcome over 1,000 more passengers from Heathrow again travelling to Doha, the United States, Dubai and Hong Kong.

Since Friday, Manchester Airport has accepted 26 diversions which were unable to land at airports in southern England, with around 5000 passengers on-board - a further ten flights heading for Paris and Frankfurt were also accepted into Manchester. As a result, the Runway Visitor Park has also seen a boost in numbers, with aviation enthusiasts keen to see the diverted aircraft that wouldn't usually land at Manchester.

Andrew Harrison, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said: "It's a real achievement to keep the airport moving - all of our staff deserve a big pat on the back. We've incorporated a number of changes in light of the experiences we gained during last winter, including new equipment that enables us to clear snow in a more efficient way, increased contingency staffing levels and improving capacity to store more anti-icing fluid on site, all of which have helped to keep operations running.

"It should however be recognised that there will always be certain times when conditions deteriorate to extent that airports have no option but to suspend operations for the safety of passengers and staff."

Manchester has not totally escaped the conditions and last Friday night operations were temporarily suspended for around 180-minutes which resulted in ten flights being diverted to other airports. On Sunday evening, freezing fog meant that several smaller aircraft had to land at alternative airports due to poor visibility. Since Friday, over 100 flights out of around 1,600 have either been cancelled or delayed at Manchester, due to displaced aircraft and snow-closures at other airports.

ENDS

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

Following the popularity of its non-stop summer seasonal Manchester-New York JFK route introduced last May, American Airlines has announced that it will re-launch the flight in 2011.

The route was originally set to return in May for the summer season only but following strong demand, this has been moved forward to 6th April, with the flight also expected to operate as a year round service.

As an additional bonus, the departures in both directions have also been re-timed by over an hour so that they will now depart Manchester earlier and leave New York later, enabling customers to really maximise their time in the Big Apple.

Maria Sebastian, Vice President Sales & Marketing EMEA, American Airlines, commented: "Since the route was launched in May 2010, literally thousands of customers have flown with us non-stop to New York and beyond. We are very grateful to everyone involved in making the flight a success and are excited to be able to respond to customer demand by bringing the flight back earlier and with sales open on an annual basis for next year."

Andrew Harrison, Manchester Airport's Managing Director, said: "American Airlines is our longest serving American carrier from Manchester Airport, having operated continuously for 25 years. I'm delighted that the New York JFK service was so successful that it's not only starting earlier than planned but will be operating a year round schedule from 2011. American Airlines is a key part of our long haul route network which supports the region's business interests across the world."

On its return, the route will again be operated by American's internationally configured two-class Boeing 757-200 aircraft offering a total of 182 seats, including 16 in Business Class. As American's second non-stop daily flight to the US from Manchester, it will complement the existing Chicago route which celebrates its 25th anniversary of operation in 2011. Together, the routes will offer customers departing Manchester the opportunity to connect onwards to around 125 destinations throughout the Americas and Caribbean.

Provisional schedules for Manchester's two non-stop daily flights are:

Manchester to the US:
Flight AA2111: Manchester - New York JFK (Departs 09.50, Arrives 12.40)
Flight AA55: Manchester - Chicago ORD (Departs 10.40, Arrives 13.15)

US to Manchester:
Flight AA2102: New York JFK - Manchester (Departs 20.25, Arrives 08.45 next day)Flight AA541: Chicago ORD - Manchester (Departs 18.00, Arrives 07.45 next day)

Flights for the new route are already on sale with prices starting from just £431.30 per person^. 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 0844 499 7300* or visit www.aa.com.

-ends-

*0.05GBP/min; network charges may apply
^Price correct at time of release but subject to availability and/or change.

ABOUT AMERICAN AIRLINES
American Airlines, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection airlines serve 250 cities in over 40 countries with, on average, more than 3,300 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning website, AA.com, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalised news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve approximately 750 destinations in nearly 150 countries and territories.

John lives in Northern Moor and attended the Airport Academy course in April 2010 at The Forum in Wythenshawe, which led to him being accepted onto a course delivered by The Manchester College. After completing it, he got an interview at the airport which led to him being placed at the World Duty Free owned, Biza store.

Biza is a 'department store' experience located within the airport. It provides new 'must-have' products, alongside desired global and niche brands. This is all combined with tax and duty free essentials and a sense of in-store theatre. Biza stores can be at found at the airport of Manchester, East Midlands, Bournemouth and Newcastle.

John attended his interview with World Duty Free in May and was subsequently successful in gaining employment. John was also getting married during this time and was so keen not to hold up the process for his referencing that he actually delivered his documents to the World Duty Free HR office on his way to his honeymoon.

John Lovesay said: "I was told I'd got the job on the actual day I went off on my honeymoon to Rhodes so it was a great feeling to be walking around Biza before I left knowing that I'd be working here when I got back. I recently got offered a role outside of the airport and I tried it for a few days but there's something about the airport that's very satisfying and I'm really enjoying my role. I just want to keep improving now and moving onwards and upwards."

The Airport Academy project is an employment and training programme that helps unemployed people living in the Manchester South regeneration areas and particularly in Wythenshawe.

Students of the Academy are all 16 or over and are assessed, given appropriate training and skills, coached in interview techniques and helped to find suitable vacancies at the airport.

Maggie Unwin, the Airport Academy Project Manager, said: "We're delighted that John has found the right role for himself and that he's committed to it, as demonstrated by his actions before he went on his honeymoon. We have a long history of working in close partnership with our local communities. Over the years, we have worked with many local organisations to enable everyone to benefit from the resources at the airport. Our community work is focussed on areas closest to the airport and gives priority to those with the greatest social and economic need."

Once in work students are given support and encouraged to develop their skills to ensure that their new working life is a rewarding one. The Academy is a story of successful collaboration with the council and the 300 or so companies who are based on site.

Councillor Sameen Ali, Executive Member for Employment and Skills at Manchester City Council, said: "The Council's regeneration team in Wythenshawe has a strong working relationship with the Airport and other employers to promote growth and job opportunities. It's a very effective network which means that residents can gain, practical, vocational training which can lead to permanent work. Congratulations to John and let's hope we'll be celebrating another 100 new jobs very soon."

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

Epernay has taken the first phase of the Control Tower Bar on the ground level. The decommissioned control tower is arranged on four main levels with an observation level on level five. The areas are connected by a circulation core, which is serviced by a dedicated passenger lift within a central core.

The iconic elevated 110sqm space is located at the heart of Manchester Airport's new Terminal 1. The upper level area has 360 views around the airport and airfield and expressions of interest can be directed to Jane.Nicholls@manairport.co.uk.

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For more information, contact the Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or for images, email press.office@manairport.co.uk

For more information on Epernay, call Ryan Thomas, Marketing and Corporate Events Manager at Epernay Champagne Bars on 07884225359, e-mail manchester@epernaychampagnebars.com

Developed by Human Recognition Systems, the "Biometrics In Motion" trial will last for two weeks starting from today in Terminal 1. Passengers register after check in so that their iris can be used to identify them as they enter the security search area.

The technology could have a variety of future applications to speed up the identification of passengers. Just one example might be to allow international transfer passengers to mix with domestic passengers in the departure lounge because they can be securely identified before boarding their flight.

Currently, arriving passengers from overseas who are connecting to another international flight in Manchester remain separated from domestic passengers to protect the integrity of UK border security.

"We are always keen to develop innovative technology solutions to improve our passengers' experience of the airport", said Mike Fazackerley, Manchester Airport's Product Director. "People are already familiar with the concept of iris recognition. This technology has the potential for a number of uses in a busy airport environment including security because it can recognise individuals when they are moving around.

"Although it is in its very early stages of development, using this technology for transfer passengers could make Manchester more attractive to airlines as a hub airport in the future."

The airport already uses iris recognition technology to manage staff access into sensitive areas of the airport. Immigration authorities also use it for pre-registered people arriving back into the UK. However, the current system requires users to look directly into a device that uses photo recognition software to authenticate individuals.

"Biometrics In Motion" represents a significant step forward because it is able to "see" an individual's iris whilst they are moving.

"At HRS we are constantly testing the boundaries of technology and this innovation represents the very leading edge in enabling a passenger to quickly and conveniently prove their identity", said Lee Hannis of Human Recognition Systems. "Our experience of working with airports to date tells us that the technology is only one part of making this a success, that's why we are excited by the opportunity to understand how the system will perform in a real airport environment."

Like other iris recognition systems, on registering "Biometrics In Motion" takes a photograph of an eye and because every person's iris is different, the image can later be used to confirm an individual's identity.

"Biometrics In Motion" is one of several trials currently taking place at airports across the UK. This is part of a Government programme called Innovative Science and Technology IN Counter-Terrorism, or "INSTINCT". INSTINCT is run by the Home Office and looks to identify and trial innovative counter-terrorism technologies, solutions or ideas. This part of the programme, known as the Technology Demonstrator 2, focuses specifically on ideas that could enhance aviation security, while also improving passenger experience.
Industry and academia were invited in October to submit technologies, processes and ideas for evaluation by an independent panel. Human Recognition Systems' "Biometrics In Motion" was chosen for testing at Manchester Airport.

Following the trials, there will be an event in early December, which will showcase the results to Ministers, and domestic and international VIPs from industry to understand whether they offer practicable solutions in counter-terrorism.

Manchester Airport and Human Recognition Systems will be operating the trial between 15 and 26 November 2010 in Terminal 1.

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For further information and photographs, please contact:

• Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 / press.office@manairport.co.uk
• Home Office press office on 020 7035 3535 (for general queries on INSTINCT
• Human Recognition Systems on 0151 254 2888 / info@hrsltd.com

Around 4,500 of those will be flying direct between Manchester and Jeddah's King Abdulaziz International Airport in Saudi Arabia, on one of 20 Hajj charter flights - the first of which departed on 1st of November, with the final return flight on 2nd December. This is around double the number on last year, with airlines and tour operators reporting increased demand for dedicated flights to Jeddah, which has its own dedicated Hajj Terminal for pilgrims going to nearby Mecca.

A further 6,000 people will travel from Manchester on scheduled services to other destinations in the Middle East region, where they will take connecting flights to reach Mecca via Jeddah.

The flights depart from Terminal One, where members of Manchester Airport's Chaplaincy Team have set up a dedicated facility at Gate 20, where travellers can change into their religious garments, plus a quiet area for prayers. The Cheadle Muslim Association has also kindly provided a supply of extra Ihrams after passenger feedback indicated that this would be something to help improve the airport experience for many travellers

The airport has also worked to ensure that the desks assigned for the check-in of the Hajj passengers are situated to ensure the check-in operation is a smooth as possible, whilst also accommodating family members, friends and well wishers who may wish to accompanying pilgrims to the airport. The Manchester Airport Chaplaincy team will be in T1 to provide assistance to passengers and members of the public.

Moulana Faruk Ali, of the Manchester Airport Chaplaincy, said: "The airport has many years of experience dealing with the extra flights that this important time of year brings and we are very pleased to welcome the thousands of people from the North West who will be travelling to this year's Hajj through Manchester Airport.

"We want to ensure that our customers enjoy hassle-free journeys, so we have listened to passenger feedback and worked closely with local communities to help ourselves and the other agencies that operate within the airport to have a greater cultural awareness so that we can build on the success of previous year's operations."

Additionally, some of the airlines operating the Hajj flights will serve Halal meals and prohibit the sale of alcohol on-board, as well as increasing hold-baggage allowances so that pilgrims can bring back holy water.

MEA, which has a focus on business and enterprise, opened on the site of Parklands High School last year and moved into its new building on 8th September and provides 750 places for 11-16 year olds with post 16 provision for 120 students.

Over a hundred guests were treated to inspirational speeches from the two VIP's along with a question and answer session from a select student panel. Lord Digby Jones was keen to stress the value of voluntary work, career challenges with one pupil even asking him for investment advice.

Julie Armstrong, Manchester Enterprise Academy's Chair of Governors, said of the event: "As the first Academy to officially open it has been a great honour having Lord Digby Jones and Sir Bobby Charlton celebrate this momentous occasion with us all. It has been a great way to commemorate the hard work of both students and staff in getting us to this point. It is now up to the teaching staff and the students to deliver new standards in education and achievement. I am sure that the facilities and technology of the Academy will allow us to ensure each student reaches their full potential."

The lead sponsor of MEA is Manchester Airport with Manchester City Council, Willow Park Housing Trust and The Manchester College as co-sponsors.

Andrew Harrison, Manchester Airport's Managing Director, said: "It is a very exciting time for the Manchester Enterprise Academy and today's event has highlighted this. I wish all the students and staff the best for their future. There are several partners 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."

Prior to the formal unveiling of the commemorative plaque The Manchester United Foundation, who supports the MEA, organised a five a side football tournament with pupils from five of the local primary feeder schools attending. The young players were treated to Sir Bobby Charlton cheering from the sidelines as well as the winning team meeting their hero in person.

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.

It also has a university style lecture theatre, a boardroom, solar thermal panels, underfloor heating, a three story high central glazed atrium, lights that adjust depending upon the level of natural sunlight and turn off when not in use and acoustic panels to absorb noise.

The bag was identified by security staff as part of the normal hand baggage security process in Terminal 1.

Although an investigation by specialists from Greater Manchester Police confirmed that the bag was not a threat, we would like to pay tribute to our highly trained security staff. They view millions of x-ray images but any suspicious items have to be taken seriously to ensure the safety of our passengers and staff as was the case today.

Around 1200 passengers and 20 flights in Terminal 1 were affected by the disruption. Operations at Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 were not affected by the evacuation of Terminal 1, which was closed for approximately three hours.

We would like to thank all our passengers and airport staff for their patience during the disruption.

Starting this week, a national advertising campaign called 'So Far, Yet So Near' is launching to win back the estimated 1.5m passengers from the airport's catchment area that fly long haul from other airports. The awareness campaign will include the unveiling of an outdoor advertising campaign focussing on destinations in America, the Far East and India and using Geolocation a first for Manchester Airport, on websites including Skyscanner, On the Beach and Expedia.

The airport ran a similar campaign in 2008, which was designed to highlight to residents of the airport's catchment area about the range of long haul destinations that were served, by the UK's largest regional airport. In November 2008, 68% of people knew that it was easy to connect from Manchester to a long haul destination but at the last survey taken in March, this had dropped to 60%. These opinions are consistent across the core and extended catchment areas excluding Cheshire, which is the only county to have seen a rise in awareness.

With regards to specific regions, awareness of direct flights to the USA has dropped by 9% with those unsure of what's available rising by 9%. Awareness of flights non stop from Manchester to the USA has dropped by 12%, with an increase of 10% saying they are not aware and a further 2% stating they are unsure of what is available. Awareness around Australia has also decreased showing a dip of 12% and when questioned about accessibility and connections to cities in the Far East there was also a decrease in awareness.

Andrew Harrison, Manchester Airport's new Managing Director, welcomed the new attempts to win back passenger share saying: "As it's my first week in the job, I wanted to start with something that's close to my heart. Just last year I said that 50% of travellers from the North wanting to fly to Dubai were driving to London rather than take flights from Manchester. With two daily services and one of them being an A380, there's no need to do that anymore and with this campaign we want to win back the one million or so passengers we're losing from our catchment area and remind them about the range of routes we offer from Manchester. We want to continue to grow our long haul offering at Manchester and we will achieve this by increasing the awareness and gain the support of our passengers"

Previous research has shown that people from the North West region are frequently travelling to long haul destinations but aren't aware that Manchester serves destinations including New York, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Chicago, Philadelphia and Lahore amongst others in the top destinations which Manchester services on a daily basis. Other destinations like Toronto, Hong Kong, Sydney, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Mumbai and Shanghai can be reached by connections from US or European points.

Andrew Harrison continued: "Research has shown that people are driving, getting the train right passed Manchester to travel to a long haul destinations, this campaign will remind people that you can get almost anywhere in the world from Manchester with direct or one stop services on a daily basis."

Emirates is just one of the airlines to have rapidly grown over recent years and since 1990 the airline has flown over four million passengers and more than 100 million kilos of cargo to and from the region. Etihad has increased its capacity by an additional 2,100 seats per week on its Abu Dhabi route. Additionally, Singapore returned to a daily service, seven days a week, from the start of September showing that confidence is returning to the market and to Manchester following a period of global recession. Destinations in the USA are well served by Virgin, US Airways, Delta, Continental, and American Airlines, amongst others and efforts are under way to add a direct West Coast USA and India service within the aviation development strategy.

The 'So Far, Yet So Near' campaign will run for four weeks and coverage will appear in national publications and on national broadcasters from this week onwards. To see more about the destinations from Manchester Airport, visit www.manchesterairport.co.uk

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

To view the images visit www.facebook.com/manairport

In his current role, Brad has responsibility for overseeing all core property and asset construction projects including terminals, runways and airfield in his role at MAG Projects. Brad's role saw him work for and on behalf of the airport group liaising with contractors, designers, architects, surveyors, consultants and bringing them all together to ensure that projects were completed on time and on budget.

He was instrumental in the terminal redevelopments that were launched at Manchester in 2009 and has brought his considerable experience to the £10 million upgrade of the airfield in time for the arrival of the Emirates A380 that flew into Manchester for the first time on the 1st September, commencing a daily service for the A380 to Dubai.

Brad Miller said: "I'm obviously very proud to have been chosen as the new MD and I'm looking to grow our market share at East Midlands; obviously there's competition from the likes of Robin Hood Airport and Birmingham but I hope to bring new ideas to the fore and ensure we grow the 4.5m passenger base we flew to their destinations last year. There's much to work on at East Midlands in the freight community and with the recent announcement of a new Radisson Hotel on site and I'm keen to get started as soon as possible."

Brad has made impressive progress at MAG becoming the youngest member of its executive committee in just five years with the company. He began working with the airport on secondment in 2005 and joined the Group in July 2007. He joined the executive committee in March 2009. He currently has responsibility for the delivery of the Group's capital expenditure programme and the Group Procurement Team.

In August, it was announced that Penny Coates, the former MD of the Group's regional airports, would be promoted to the role of Chief Operating Officer for the Manchester Airports Group and takes up her new role on the 15th September.

Penny Coates, Chief Operating Officer at Manchester Airports Group, welcomed the announcement saying: "We are delighted to announce Brad as the new MD and I know he will do an excellent job. There's room to grow at East Midlands, which is the UK's primary pure freight airport, and home to leading airfreight operators such as DHL, TNT and UPS while it also acts as a major air hub for the Royal Mail. In recent months, we've also seen airlines such as bmibaby and Jet2.com strengthen their offering at East Midlands."

East Midlands Airport is part of the Manchester Airports Group (MAG), the UK's largest British-owned airport operator. Its four airports - Manchester, East Midlands, Humberside and Bournemouth - currently serve a total of over 23.9 million passengers every year.

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

When the CAA Aerodrome Standards Division gave their approval, the airport joined a select group of only 17 global airports to be certified meaning next month, Manchester will become the first regional airport in the World to have a regular service by an A380.

Manchester Airport has invested more than £10 million upgrading the airfield to the standards needed for the Emirates super-jumbo. This includes reconstructing a new aircraft stand with state of the art equipment including an advance docking system, which guides the pilot onto the stand and into the correct position for the unique double airbridge to connect. Construction has taken place over the last 18 months on the airfield at Manchester.

Manchester Airport's Managing Director Andrew Cornish said: "It's a proud day for Manchester and we're naturally pleased that Emirates has chosen Manchester to be the first regional airport in the world to welcome an A380 aircraft. A lot of hard work and planning has gone into the arrival from many people across the business and we're pleased that as an aerodrome we can accept the newest type of aircraft flying today and that Emirates has recognised Manchester as a world class airport."

As well as building a new stand the airport has also updated the pier with a new pre-boarding lounge to accommodate the 517 passengers the new Emirates A380 will have onboard at any one time. Emirates have been flying from Manchester to Dubai for almost 20 years and now have a double daily service to Dubai.

The CAA approval is a result of work dating back nearly ten years with the most detailed and intensive work taking place out on the airfield due to the shear size of the aircraft. Taxiways have had to be widened, realigned and reinforced at junctions and turns as well as perimeter fences and over fifty airfield signs moved further away so the super jumbo can pass safely.

The airport has also invested in two new fire-fighting vehicles. One of the vehicles hosts a turntable system with a 30 metre extending ladder which can be extended over inflated emergency exit chutes, enabling the fire service to gain access to any level of an aircraft including those where conventional ladders might not reach.

With the airport now being classed as 'A380 ready' this makes Manchester a 'Category 10' airport, meaning that the airport can not only accept the A380 but other 'Code F' aircraft such as some of the larger freighter aircraft that are operating around the world.

Emirates, the biggest customer of the Airbus A380, currently flies the aircraft to London Heathrow, Paris, Seoul and Bangkok amongst others.

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For further information please contact the Manchester Airport Press Office on press.office@manairport.co.uk or 0161 489 2700

The iconic A380 Airbus - a 517-seat, double-decker aircraft, dubbed the "Super-Jumbo" - is due to land at Manchester Airport at 12.25pm, commencing a daily scheduled service for Emirates in what will be a world first for a regional airport.

The Runway Visitor Park will open at 8:00am on the day in order to accommodate the expected crowds. Visitors arriving on foot or on public transport will be able to enter the Park for free, as always. Entry for cars will however be by pre-booked ticket only, at £12.00 per car with up to five occupants. Tickets will be valid until 4:00pm - enabling spectators to watch the A380's departure at around 3:30pm.

Andrew Cornish, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said: "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the A380 arrive and I put it on a par with the last flight of Concorde to Manchester. We're looking forward to welcoming thousands of people to the airport to be a part of this historic event, especially in the school holidays and with the Park being voted one of the top tourist attractions for the North West. There will be plenty of opportunities to come see the A380 as from 1st September onward it will be operating a daily service into Manchester, but this is a really significant day for aviation here in the North West and we aim to celebrate it appropriately."

When Concorde made its final flight into Manchester in 2003, before going on permanent display in the Runway Visitor Park, an estimated 10,000 on-lookers greeted her arrival.

In anticipation, parking marshals and an overflow car park will be in operation, whilst the Park's Aviation Shop has also stocked up on extra A380-model aircraft. On the day, additional catering facilities will be provided to support the Ringway Restaurant that is located inside the Concorde Conference Centre. Concorde tours, viewing mounds, the Nimrod and the other historical aircraft will remain on show throughout the day.

The new services on the Emirates A380 will boost capacity by an extra 75 seats a day and introduce the Dubai-based international carrier's award-winning First Class cabin, which includes another world first - onboard showers.

Emirates have been flying from Manchester to Dubai and its network of onward destinations since 1990. A second daily service was added in 2003 and its Manchester lounge - the most luxurious at the airport - was opened on October 2009.

Emirates, the biggest customer of the A380, currently flies the aircraft to London Heathrow, Paris, Sydney, Auckland, Toronto, Seoul, Bangkok and Jeddah.

The Runway Visitor Park is located next to Manchester Airport's runways, two minutes from Junction 6 of the M56 motorway, off the A538 on Louis Paulhan Way.

Only pre-booked tickets will see visitors gain entry to the Park and customers can book an entry ticket for 1st September, on the website here - www.manchesterairport.co.uk/RunwayVisitorPark

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For more information please contact the Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or press.office@manairport.co.uk

Directions

• The Runway Visitor Park is situated off the A538 between Junction 6 of the M56 motorway and the airport tunnels. From Junction 6 Roundabout follow the signs for Wilmslow.
• After a very short distance you will see Sunbank Lane on the left with sign posts for The Runway Visitor Park and Concorde.
• The Romper Public House provides a very visible landmark.
• Turn left here and then immediately right at the crossroads onto Wilmslow Old Road and follow to the end.
• The address is Runway Visitor Park, Louis Paulhan Way, Sunbank Lane, Altrincham, WA15 8XQ

Airport social media firm, AirGate Solutions, found that there are currently 143 airports in the world using Twitter as an official passenger service, and that Manchester Airport tops the list as the most active and engaged of them all.

The ranking method is a simple ratio of airport passengers to followers by which the airports are ranked in descending order. The main results are as follows:

(1.) MANCHESTER AIRPORT; (2.) LONDON HEATHROW; (3) BOSTON; (4.) BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON; (5.) LONDON GATWICK; (6.) ORLANDO; (7.) PHOENIX; (8.) LOS ANGELES; (9.) MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL; (10) DALLAS/FORT WORTH.

Robert Cook, Managing Director of AirGate Solutions and influential blogger with New York's Forbes magazine, published the survey. Speaking of the results, he said: "We feel that if an airport has a higher ratio of followers to passengers then it is more engaged with its travelling customers. Manchester came out on top in the 20million passenger category, which demonstrates that the airport is using it to very good effect."

He added: "Since publishing a similar report last March we have received much interest within the industry and there has been a 26% increase in the number of airports adopting Twitter to talk to passengers. More and more organisations are beginning to realise the growing effectiveness of using Twitter and other social media tools to connect with their audiences."

Manchester Airport became the first UK airport to officially launch a Twitter stream, in February 2009. It currently has a following of around 9300. During the recent disruptions with the volcanic ash, the application was a vital tool in communicating with passengers around the world who were looking for information on airport closures.

Russell Craig, Manchester Airport's Head of External Communications said: "It's fantastic to receive this recognition - during our recent experiences with snow and the volcanic ash cloud, Twitter became a vital channel. Updates were posted as they happened, enabling those following the airport to get the latest information at the same time as the news organisations - even Sky News was taking live updates from our Twitter stream to use its website and TV channel."

For more information on AirGate Solutions see: www.airgatesolutions.com and www.twitter.com/airgatesolution and to see Manchester Airport's official Twitter go to: www.twitter.com/manairport

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For more information, contact the Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or press.office@manchesterairport.co.uk

Notes to editor

To read Robert Cook's "Wheels Up" blog go to: http://blogs.forbes.com/wheelsup/

Following on from the earlier appointment of Charlie Cornish as MAG's new Group Chief Executive in June, Penny Coates, the current MD of the Group's smaller airports, will be promoted to the role of Chief Operating Officer.

Penny Coates said: "I'm excited to add Manchester - the largest of MAG's airports - to my portfolio because it creates a huge opportunity to optimise the benefits of being a Group. Our airports already hold every major travel industry award but if we are to retain our leading position, we have to focus on the areas that matter to our passengers and airlines from security to sustainability. MAG has an exceptional and experienced team across our four airports and by working closely together we can take this business to the next stage in its development."

Andrew Harrison, the current Commercial Director at Manchester, will replace Andrew Cornish as the new Managing Director of Manchester Airport. He joined the airport in 2005 to focus on the retail portfolio, and specifically the redevelopment of the airport's three terminals, launching over £80 million of improvements in July 2009.

Andrew Harrison said: "Over the last three years, we have made a massive investment in both Manchester Airport's facilities and our ability to deliver excellent customer service. I am looking forward to building on these foundations and leading our fantastic team to take full advantage of the economic recovery and deliver the benefits that the business brings to the North West region."

Penny and Andrew will take up their new roles from 15 September. The post of East Midlands Airport's Managing Director will be advertised internally across MAG with any appointment likely to also be effective from September.

Geoff Muirhead CBE, Group Chief Executive of MAG, said: "This move comes at a time of significant change for MAG and is a major opportunity for the business to continue to strengthen our industry leading position. The Group's new Chief Executive has been fully involved in the process and I can speak for both of us when I say that we wish Penny and Andrew the best of luck in their new roles."

The Manchester Airports Group is the UK's largest British-owned airport operator. The four airports - Manchester, East Midlands, Humberside and Bournemouth - currently serve a total of over 23.9 million passengers every year.

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For more information on Penny, contact Amy Teige at East Midlands Airport on 0845 108 8542 or amy.teige@eastmidlandsairport.com.

For more information on Andrew, contact John Greenway at Manchester Airport on 0161 489 2700 or john.greenway@manairport.co.uk.

The airport has been surveying users of the recently opened £1.7million lounge in Terminal One to find out which songs help them to relax before a flight and put them in the mood for their holidays - with Elbow's hit "One Day Like This" coming in at number one.

The band - Guy Garvey, Mark Potter, Craig Potter, Pete Turner and Richard Jupp - paid a flying visit to the Escape Lounge at Manchester Airport over the weekend, where they were presented with a commemorative record, before jetting off to Mallorca.

Sarah Barrett, Manchester Airport's Head of Customer Experience, said: "We have done everything possible to create the perfect escape atmosphere for our passengers. Our customer insight team has looked at every aspect of the lounge experience, including the most popular song people would like to listen to enjoy the start of their journey.

"Elbow have already collected a plethora of awards for their work, so it probably no surprise that 'One Day Like This' was the most popular song as it is an inspiring piece of music. However, we thought it would be nice to commemorate their first visit to the Escape Lounge and the fact our passengers picked them out in the popularity stakes especially as they are local lads whose contribution to the city's musical heritage is something to be very proud of."

To date Elbow have released four top-twenty studio albums and seven top-forty singles in the UK. "One Day Like This" is the second single from Elbow's fourth album The Seldom Seen Kid. Released in June 2008, it has been in the UK Top 200 Singles for over 100 weeks and remains there now. In May 2009 it won the prestigious Ivor Novello award for Best Song. The band also won the 2008 Mercury Music Prize for The Seldom Seen Kid album, which has been in the UK Top 100 Albums for 124 weeks and is still in there now.

The Escape Lounge opened at the start of July 2010, and has already been a huge hit, with over 100,000 passengers expected to use the facility every year. Customers can book into the new lounge at www.manchesterairport.co.uk or by phone on 0871 200 4450.

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

Passengers who have flight inclusive bookings with Goldtrail are advised to contact their travel agent in the first instance.

Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport unless they have confirmed travel and accommodation arrangements.

The Civil Aviation Authority has taken steps to protect affected customers. Passengers with forward bookings can telephone the CAA helpline on 0844 856 2585.

From October 31st 2010, Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Aer Arann, will provide additional flights to Cork from Manchester and Birmingham that will effectively double the number of services on each route. The increased frequency means that the Manchester service will operate twice a day seven days per week.

The new schedule will offer business customers the frequency required to spend a full business day in Cork and it will offer additional choice for leisure passengers.

Commenting on the announcement, Aer Arann Corporate Affairs Director Andrew Kelly said "We are delighted to launch these flights as part of the franchise agreement in the same week that we launched new franchise services from Manchester to Shannon."

"The addition of these new services will offer passengers travelling to and from each of these destinations greater choice, flexibility and convenience" he added.

Also commenting on the announcement, Aer Lingus Director of Communications Declan Kearney said "Aer Lingus Regional services have enjoyed strong support from customers in the short time since their launch. Aer Lingus welcomes the introduction of these additional services from Cork and wishes Aer Arann continued success."

Manchester Airport's Commercial Director, Andrew Harrison said, "Again this is very good news for us, our passengers and the North West region. This double daily service to a great destination like Cork will do very well with not only our leisure passengers but our business passengers alike"

Flights to Manchester with Aer Lingus start from £29.99 one way including taxes. For further flight information and to make a booking visit www.aerlingus.com

Ends

The £1.7 million investment was officially unveiled for the first time and passengers were able to see the design, which includes separate areas for relaxation and business, including a self-contained meeting or private function room.

Mosaic Hospitality was recently announced as the caterer for the new Escape Lounge and will be providing customers with a wide choice of refreshments and freshly made light meals.

Andrew Harrison, Commercial Director for Manchester Airport, said: "We set out to create a lounge which would stand out but which also had a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. Our aim was to create a memorable experience for both our business and leisure passengers with great ambiance, service and food made to order, and we have incorporated some quirky touches such as the Scalextric track and Wii which will appeal to all ages, and hopefully help our customers to really enjoy the start of their journey."

The new Terminal 1 Escape Lounge at Manchester Airport was initially announced in April 2010 alongside the launch of the 'The Travel Extras Store' on Manchester's website. The airport already has an Escape offering in Terminal 2 and hopes to launch a third in Terminal 3 in the near future.

Manchester Airport unveiled over £80 million worth of improvements across its three terminals only last year in the Summer of 2009. Alongside the opening of the new lounge today, the airport also has plans to introduce a Control Tower Bar to Terminal 1 to a vacant tower facility by the end of the year.

Customers can book into the new lounge at manchesterairport.co.uk or by phone on 0871 200 4450.

ENDS

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

Gordon Beech, Kirsten Inverarity and Richard Boyd, who have worked together for more than 15 years, currently lead the management team. They will be endeavouring to create a real point of difference for airport lounges by serving high quality fresh food to the thousands of passengers who are expected to use the new facility when it opens in July.

Mosaic's management experience background stretches across hotels, Michelin starred restaurants, private dining and off-site catering for a range of companies across the North West, including the University of Manchester and Arley Hall. They have also provided corporate hospitality for blue chip companies in the City of London.

Gordon Beech, Chairman of Mosaic Hospitality, said: " We've been keen to move into new markets for a long time and the airport was obviously something of real interest to us so when we heard about the new lounge, it was something we wanted to be involved in from the beginning. We believe that our company is uniquely placed to create a product that will provide an important part of the Escape experience and play a critical role in the development of the lounge over the long term. We cannot wait to get started in July."

A new Escape Lounge for Terminal 1 at Manchester Airport was announced in April 2010 alongside the launch of the 'The Travel Extras Store' on Manchester's website. The airport already has an Escape offering in Terminal 2 and has hopes of launching a third in Terminal 3 in the future. The new lounge in Terminal 1 will be in good company standing alongside the new Emirates Lounge, which was opened in October 2009 and will soon host passengers travelling on the A380.

Andrew Harrison, Commercial Director for Manchester Airport, said: "We want our passengers to start to enjoy their holiday experience as soon as they step into the Escape Lounge. Mosaic Hospitality are excellent caterers held in high regard right across the North West so we are very pleased to have them on board for the launch in a few weeks time."

More information on Mosaic Hospitality is available at: www.rwbespoke.com. Customers interested in seeing the lounge can book here.

ENDS

For further information please contact Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or email press.office@manairport.co.uk

Andrew Cornish, Manchester Airport's Managing Director, said: "We have a history of engaging with diverse communities across the region and internationally so today's announcement of our involvement with Pride and also with Gaydio has been a long time coming. Diversity is what makes this city a fantastic place and is what encourages visitors to the region.

"We are a key contributor to local employment and a major sponsor of the arts and we actively support economic and cultural diversity in Manchester and the North West. Pride is such a well known event and attracts people from across the World so as the UK's third largest airport we are very excited to be a part of this event, as well as engaging with LGBT listeners closer to home via this new, and set to become well known, radio station."

Toby Whitehouse, Gaydio Station Director, said: "Air travel is so important to everyone's life and to have such a well known organisation as Manchester Airport onboard at such an early stage of Gaydio is really fantastic. The travel requirements of LGB&T people can be quite specialist so we look forward to sharing our knowledge of this with the airport as one of our foundation partners."

It will be the first time in the Airport's 71 year history that they will be taking part in this year's Pride parade. Members of staff and senior managers will be proudly making their way through the city centre on a float following this year's theme of 'Through the Decades'.

Manchester Airport has set up a committee team of staff members from across the site to take on the detailed planning and implementation of their float entry.

Daniel King, Customer Relations Manager, is heading up the committee, said: "We are pleased to announce that this year for the first time Manchester Airport will be taking part in the Pride 2010 Parade for what is expected to be a fantastic weekend. I don't want to give away too much of what we will have on our float but prepare for the infamous chandeliers to make an appearance!"

The aims of the Manchester Pride Parade are to have fun, celebrate the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community in Greater Manchester, the UK and overseas, and to raise awareness of the issues around HIV and Aids.

Jackie Crozier, Festival Director of Manchester Pride, said: "With over 100 entries each year, the Manchester Pride Parade is one of the highlights of the Big Weekend and we're absolutely delighted that Manchester Airport is going to be a part of that.

"As a premier gay pride event in Europe we attract an international following and, with its large route network, the airport is a key asset for us. Each entry has its own take on the parade theme and I'm particularly looking forward to seeing what ideas the airport has up its sleeve."

The Pride 2010 Parade will take place on Saturday 28th August and forms part of the "Big Weekend", which is the culmination of the annual Pride celebrations in Manchester. The parade starts at 1pm on Saturday 28th August.

Gaydio will be the country's first and only FM service for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people and launches today (18/06/10) on 88.4fm across Manchester and online at www.gaydio.co.uk.

ENDS

For more information please contact Manchester Airport press office on 0161 489 2700 or email press.office@manairport.co.uk

ACI EUROPE is the European region of Airports Council International (ACI), the only worldwide professional association of airport operators. ACI EUROPE represents over 400 airports in 46 European countries. Member airports handle 90% of commercial air traffic in Europe, welcoming nearly a billion and a half passengers each year.

Charlie, 50, will join MAG on 1 October 2010. Currently, a main board director of United Utilities where he is Managing Director of United Solutions, he has also held a variety of senior positions both within United Utilities and other businesses including RWE Thames Water, West of Scotland Water, NHS Scotland and Associated British Foods. His early career included positions in British Aerospace, Plessey Telecomms and Trusthouse Forte.

Commenting on the appointment MAG's Chairman, Mike Davies, said: "Charlie brings a broad range of skills and experience to the role. In addition to his in-depth Board and general management background, he has an impressive combination of operational, strategic and international experience.

"I look forward to working with Charlie on growing the Manchester Airports Group and wish him every success when he joins us in October".

Charlie Cornish said: "I'm delighted to have been offered this opportunity to join such a successful team at MAG and look forward to meeting my new colleagues soon. MAG has made tremendous progress under Geoff Muirhead's leadership and I look forward to working with colleagues and stakeholders to continue building on its great reputation for customer service and innovation."

Married with four children, Charlie succeeds MAG's long standing Group Chief Executive, Geoff Muirhead CBE, who is retiring at the end of September after 22 years at the helm of the Group.

A full flight departed Manchester airport for Kerry indicating the high bookings and popularity of the service since it was announced in March. All passengers landing in Kerry airport were treated to a champagne reception on arrival to mark the occasion.

Commenting on the re-launch of the service today, Aer Arann Chief Executive Paul Schtz said "We are delighted to have our Kerry bound Manchester customers back on board with us from today. Initial support for the route has been excellent which we sincerely hope will continue.

In addition to our routes to Galway and Waterford from Manchester, we are offering even greater access and choice when choosing to visit the regions around Ireland. Kerry Airport is the gateway to the all that the south west of the country has to offer and we look forward to welcoming both new and existing customers on our flight in the coming weeks and months" he added.

Andrew Harrison, Commercial Director for Manchester Airport, said: "It's great for us to see another airline adding a new destination from Manchester this Summer. Despite what we've seen with the volcano, there is still a large section of the Summer left for passengers to enjoy and we hope to see many of them taking advantage of the route to Ireland."

Kerry Airport is ideally located for anyone wishing to travel for business or pleasure in the Munster region. Passengers arriving to Kerry airport from Manchester with Aer Arann will need only travel a short distance to find the Lakes of Killarney, the Ring of Kerry, the Rose of Tralee festival, the Dingle Peninsula, the Irish Open Golf and much more.

Flights to Kerry from Manchester with Aer Arann start from £36 one way including taxes. For further information and to make a booking visit www.AerArann.com.

The commission is part of MAG Developments' on going re-branding, which is aimed at raising the profile of the business, which contributes around 25% of the Airport Group's total profits. The campaign features the artwork of illustrator David Bray, whose previous clients have included Harvey Nichols, Sony Records, Time Out and MTV. It focuses on the thoughts and ideas often found in 'desktop doodles' and 'notepad scribbles' - and is aimed at promoting Manchester Airport as more than just a place where you can board a flight, but instead as an all encompassing business destination and accessible transport-hub.

Stephanie Mullenger, Business Development Director, MAG Developments, said: "We've completely re-evaluated how we do business and having become much more customer-service focused, the campaign brief was about challenging potential customers to completely reconsider the airport as more than just a place where people and cargo arrive and depart, but instead as one of the premier business destinations in the region - that just so happens to have access to direct worldwide flights.

"We're delighted with the artwork and hope that by starting to change perceptions we can attract some of the top businesses from across the North, which may never have previously considered the airport as a location simply because its operations aren't focused around aviation or freight. The airport has so much more to offer - with the facilities and infrastructure that are already in place here, it has all of the elements of a self-contained city with everything that businesses big and small require."

The new artwork will be visible across Manchester at the M-Site poster locations between 07/06/10 - 04/07/10; and at the M-Site banner locations between 14/07/10 - 14/08/10.

Jackie Holt, Partner, BJL, said: "We've loved working with the team at MAG Developments on such an important campaign. Our aim for the creative has been to develop an eye-catching, informative and memorable campaign that will encourage commuters to reconsider the airport as a destination for their business; the fact that the campaign will be on such high profile sites along Princess Parkway and the City Centre will give us great visibility and impact. "

The MAG Developments has an investment portfolio of more than £320 million and manages an estate of over 5000 acres; 200 buildings and 850 customers. It currently has offering of around 118,000 square feet of office space to let in Manchester. For more information go to www.mag-developments.com

Today, American Airlines, a founding member of the oneworld alliance, inaugurated its new Summer seasonal nonstop service between Manchester and New York JFK and brought a little flavour of the Big Apple to the Northwest in the process.

Passengers departing on the first flight were treated at the gate to a glass of bubbly while also being entertained and helped into that New York state of mind with the presence of a living Statue of Liberty. A ribbon cutting officially opened the new flight before passengers were given a special commemorative gift in what appeared to complete the celebrations before the flight made its scheduled departure. As part of a final farewell to the special flight, however, a New York taxi then led out the Boeing 757 aircraft from its stand to the runway and to the excitement of all who were watching.

Speaking at Manchester Airport's Terminal 3 this morning, Graham Bell, Director of Sales UK & Ireland, American Airlines, commented: ""We are delighted to be launching a second daily flight from Manchester to the US. American has been flying between Manchester and the US for nearly 25 years, which serves to demonstrate how committed we are to our Manchester operations and also gives us the distinction of being the airport's longest continuously serving carrier to the US. We very much appreciate the region's support which has enabled us to offer this new service and we believe the new service will prove just as popular as our existing Chicago route."

Andrew Harrison, Commercial Director for Manchester Airport, said: "We are delighted that American have shown their commitment to Manchester by adding the JFK route. They first came to us in 1986 with a daily service to Chicago and have nearly reached their 25th anniversary here. It's partnerships such as these that have enabled the airport and the region to flourish and we look forward our next 25 years together."

The new daily flights are operated using an internationally configured Boeing 757 aircraft with 182 seats, including 16 lie-flat Business Class seats and 166 seats in the main cabin. The new flight enables non-stop travel to one of the most popular US cities, as well as increased and more convenient connections to around 40 popular onward destinations across the Americas and Caribbean.

The new schedule launched today is as follows:

Westbound from Manchester Terminal 3 to New York JFK Terminal 8
(Summer seasonal service effective 14 May-30 September 2010):
Flight No: Departure Airport Departure Time Arrival Airport Arrival Time
AA211 Manchester 11.10 New York JFK 13.55

Eastbound from New York JFK Terminal 8 to Manchester Terminal 3
(Summer seasonal service effective 13 May-29 September 2010):
Flight No: Departure Airport Departure Time Arrival Airport Arrival Time
AA210 New York JFK 19.05 Manchester 07.55 (following day)

To celebrate the new flight, members of the American Airlines AAdvantage loyalty programme will be able to earn 10,000 AAdvantage bonus miles for each Business Class roundtrip flown on the route, or 5,000 bonus miles for travel in Economy Class. The number of times the bonus miles can be earned is unlimited, so sit back and watch the miles add up!

To participate in this limited-time offer, passengers simply need to register prior to travel and fly between May 14, 2010 and June 30, 2010 on the new non-stop flight. Registering is easy - just visit www.aa.com/offers, click on Airline offers "View All" to locate the Manchester offer, then use bonus code NYMAN. If you're not already an AAdvantage member, it's free and easy to enrol by visiting www.aa.com/enroll.

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 0844 499 7300* or visit www.aa.com.

From July 1st, Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Aer Arann, will provide direct flights to Shannon from Manchester, as well as Glasgow, Birmingham and Bristol. Flights to Manchester will operate seven days per week with fares starting at €39.99 one way including taxes. Flights can be booked on www.aerlingus.com and are on sale from Wednesday 2nd June.

This latest announcement has been welcomed in both the Midwest of Ireland and Manchester with the new service adding even more direct links between Ireland and Britain. Aer Arann also operates direct services from Manchester to Galway, Kerry and Waterford under its own operation.

Announcing the new routes in Shannon Airport today, Aer Arann Chief Executive Paul Schtz said "We are delighted to launch the second phase of our franchise operations with Aer Lingus, including a direct link from Manchester to the Midwest of Ireland. We are providing a unique product that combines the best of both Aer Arann and Aer Lingus and offers both business and leisure passengers a quality service with excellent frequency".

Also commenting on the announcement, Stephen Kavanagh, Chief Commercial Officer at Aer Lingus said "Aer Lingus Regional services have enjoyed strong support from customers in the short time since its launch. Aer Lingus welcomes the introduction of these additional services to Shannon and wishes Aer Arann continued success."

Andrew Harrison, Commercial Director for Manchester Airport, said: "Aer Arann's connections to Manchester have been performing strongly and we're pleased they're adding another service. As the gateway to the North West, passengers will be able to access the city of Manchester and areas right across the North West for both business and leisure."

Under the franchise agreement between the two airlines Aer Lingus Regional flights are operated by Aer Arann using its own ATR 72-500 aircraft and crew. All franchise flights are sold and distributed through www.aerlingus.com. Aer Arann assumes full operational and commercial responsibility for the services covered by the franchise agreement with Aer Lingus receiving a franchise fee.

The lift, situated in Terminal 3, has been given a radical overhaul to reflect City's £1.5m pre-season transformation of the Club's corporate hospitality offer.

Stainless steel walls have been swapped for bright, ceiling to floor graphics depicting the interior of the Platinum Box - a stylish concept set to be rolled out to all 66 boxes during the close season.

And they'll even be unrivalled pitch side views, with business travellers greeted with a life size view from the stands as they travel floor-to-floor.

Either side of this, there's floor to ceiling graphics of the box itself - complete with walnut panels displaying pictures of City Legends, high glass tables and walnut poseur stools, together with a bar area, LCD TV and backlit feature display shelf.

David Chell, Head of Sales at Manchester City Football Club, said: "With a £1.5m transformation now underway, we thought the lift to the Executive Lounge which is visited by thousands of professionals a year, would be an ideal location to give the local business community a sneak preview of what's in store for next season.

"Our vision is to exceed expectations, both on and off the pitch. With the new Platinum Boxes, clients can look forward to a premium experience that is unrivalled anywhere else. For anyone wanting to experience the real thing first hand, they are welcome to make an appointment by visiting www.mcfc.co.uk."

The £1.5m investment also includes a complete overhaul of Legends, the refurbishment of premium dining facility The Boardroom, together with increased Executive seating in the stands (from 250 to 350 seats) - all to be enjoyed by next season's 75,000 corporate hospitality guests.

Andrew Harrison, Commercial Director for Manchester Airport, said: "Football is what Manchester is famous for and Manchester City continue to be a strong ambassador for our city. With both Manchester teams playing in Europe next year, we expect to see many more supporters using Manchester Airport's facilities."

ENDS.

The summit will be held at the Airport's Concorde Centre at the Aviation Viewing Park on Wednesday 16th June 2010, is free to attend and is open to anyone with an interest in innovation.

Andy Cliffe, Manchester Airports Group Strategy Director, said: "Manchester Airport has a great reputation for the innovative services we offer our customers, from the use of body scanners in security to our widely praised twitter site and innovations such as the Airport Awareness guide.

"We're delighted to announce our first innovation summit, it's sure to be a must for any individual or organisation with a passion for innovation."

The keynote speaker at the summit will be former trade minister Sir Richard Needham, who is known as Sir James Dyson's right hand man and is currently Dyson's Independent Director for International and Commercial Affairs. He will be joined in panel discussions from speakers including Juergen Maier, Managing Director Siemens UK Industry Sector and Dr. Moneeb Awan, President of the Greater Manchester Chamber.

The summit will also boast a series of exhibition stands from companies showcasing the latest advancements in innovative technologies, including; Siemens, Pixel Inspirations, Rapiscan, National Air Traffic Services and Penbay Solutions.

During the event, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and PR agency Weber Shandwick will announce the result of their innovation award.

This award is designed to showcase the very best in innovative talent across Greater Manchester; the award is open to individuals and businesses that can demonstrate innovation and its benefits to their organisation.

Commenting on the partnership with Manchester Airport, Dr. Moneeb Awan, President of the Greater Manchester Chamber, said: "Not only is Manchester Airport one of the region's biggest and best known brands, it's also synonymous with innovation and leading technologies. Its expertise will greatly assist us in helping to identify talent across the region."

Attendance at the innovation summit is free of charge, but is based on a first come, first served basis. To register your interest, please contact allie@outthereevents.com or call 0161 214 5207.

Innovation award entries can be submitted now and at anytime until Friday 28th May 2010, by logging onto www.gmchamber.co.uk/innovation.
The award is being delivered by the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and Weber Shandwick, and supported by Brother UK and Manchester: Knowledge Capital.

The New York branch of the Manchester Business Club is the third in the series and will be attended by Tim McDermott, Director of Operations at Manchester Airport. The airport works closely with MIDAS to promote the Business Club network. Other attendees include representatives of Manchester Business School, American Airlines, Continental Airlines and other companies with links to the Manchester and the UK North West region.

An evening reception, for an exclusive audience of leading individuals and businesses, will take place on 12 May at Soho House New York and will provide an opportunity for guests to network and to strengthen the business links between Manchester and New York.

The keynote speaker will be Sir Harold Evans, a critically acclaimed journalist and best-selling author specialising in the history of America. Sir Harold, who was born in Manchester and started his career at Manchester Evening News, now lives in New York. He has also served as the prize-winning editor of The Times and The Sunday Times. He is now editor-at-large of The Week magazine. In 2004, he was honoured with a knighthood in the Queen's New Year's Honours list for service to journalism.

Andrew Cornish, MD, Manchester Airport said: "It's great to see the business community in Manchester and New York joining forces especially with the additional capacity provided by the launches of Delta and American Airlines' services to JFK alongside those provided by Continental and PIA. Links that are made at the Business Clubs can help to build stronger economic links between foreign companies and those based in the UK, which can also assist the development of our route network and the choice of flights from Manchester."

The event comes after successful launches of Manchester Business Club in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

Zoe Ensor, Director of External Relations, MIDAS said: "MIDAS is delighted to host the Manchester Business Club in New York. As with earlier events, it's set to be a high-level networking opportunity for like-minded businesses and an opportunity to build and strengthen ties between the two cities. We're very excited about welcoming Sir Harold Evans as the keynote speaker and look forward to hearing his speech."

Manchester Business Club is an exclusive network of individuals and businesses which aims to develop links between Manchester and leading global city economies. Manchester is the largest business centre in England after London and home to international companies such as BNY Mellon, BBC, Credit Suisse, Google, Nike, Kellogg's, P&G and SPX.

Manchester Business Club focuses on working closely with foreign-owned companies based in the Manchester City Region who have located there to enjoy costs up to 40% lower than London, a strong and diverse talent pool, attractive commercial properties, superb universities and colleges and a world class airport and transport connections.

Membership of Manchester Business Club provides benefits including high-level networking, exclusive events and knowledge sharing. Members also have access to Manchester Airport's Escape lounge in Terminal 2 and, from July 2010, access to the new Escape lounge in Terminal 1, fast track facilities, exclusive car and valet parking and retail offers.

Manchester Business Club is free to join, by invitation only.