Posts

Dave

Manchester Airport launches new Arctic routes, connecting UK business travellers to Tromsø

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Travellers flying from Manchester Airport will soon have direct access to the Arctic, with Norwegian and easyJet launching new services to Tromsø, the world’s most northerly city, in the coming weeks.

Both airlines will offer flights directly from Manchester to Tromsø, with Norwegian starting their service this Wednesday and easyJet following suit from 19 November. Each airline will operate twice weekly, with Norwegian flying on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and easyJet on Tuesdays and Saturdays. With a flight time of just over three hours, these new routes will be particularly appealing for UK-based business travellers who may want to combine their work trips with an extraordinary experience, as Tromsø is renowned for its unique Arctic landscape and rich cultural heritage.

For Global Travel Management customers, these flights offer new opportunities to explore a destination not only popular for leisure but also important for business in industries such as renewable energy and Arctic research. The launch of these services from Manchester, a major hub for UK business travellers, highlights the increasing importance of connecting the UK with diverse global regions.

Tromsø’s appeal stretches beyond its title as the world’s most northerly city, offering a range of activities in one of the planet’s most stunning natural settings. Whether it’s whale-watching, catching a glimpse of the mesmerising Northern Lights, or exploring the local Sami culture on a reindeer sleigh ride, Tromsø provides business travellers with a chance to unwind in a completely different environment after meetings or conferences. Additionally, Tromsø’s strategic position inside the Arctic Circle makes it a prime destination for those interested in eco-tourism and sustainability.

Paul Baker, Sales Director at Global Travel Management, commented on the benefit these flights bring to business travellers:

With Manchester now offering direct flights to Tromsø, our clients have the chance to explore a unique Arctic destination that could be of particular interest for those working in the renewable energy or environmental sectors. The short flight time and twice-weekly schedule make it easy for UK-based business travellers to incorporate Tromsø into their itineraries, whether for business or leisure.

Stephen Turner, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airport, emphasised the airport’s growing route network, noting that Tromsø is now the most northerly destination available from Manchester. He stated,

These new services to Tromsø are a really exciting addition and give people planning their next city break or adventurous holiday a truly unique option.

If you would like more information about how these new routes could benefit your business travel plans, contact your Global Travel Management Account Manager today.

Dave

Passengers can pre-book security slots at Manchester Airport, free of charge

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Manchester Airport will trial offering free 15-minute pre-booked security slots as part of a new standard for safe air travel. The approach is designed to allow the airport to manage the volume of passengers coming through security more efficiently and help keep queues shorter.

To improve the security experience and help restore confidence in travel as the airport begins to see more people wanting to travel, passengers at Manchester Airport now have the opportunity to pre-book a free 15-minute security slot, as part of a UK-first new trial by MAG, the airport’s owner.

The option is available from this week and accessible here: https://booking.manchesterairport.co.uk/security/dates/

The trial is part of a series of measures introduced by MAG to ensure passengers feel safer and more confident about travelling by air, particularly when travel demand starts to grow again in the near future.

The airport claims to have been the first to ask all passengers to cover their face either with face masks or with their own clothing. All MAG colleagues, interacting with passengers, are also required to wear the necessary protective equipment.

By booking a free slot, passengers will benefit from access to a dedicated lane straight to the security checkpoint and will be able to reach the departure lounge quicker. This approach will also allow the airport to manage the volume of passengers coming through security more efficiently and help keep queues shorter.

The availability of slots is limited and is operated on a first come first served basis, through online booking. Passengers are encouraged to make a booking around two hours before their flight departure time and asked to arrive within the chosen slot. If passengers arrive outside the allocated time, they will not be able to access the dedicated line and will be redirected to the security queue, which may be longer than usual given social distancing measures that the airport will put in place.

Manchester Airport is the first UK Airport to announce such a scheme, and in so doing is aiming to support safe standards for future air travel. If successful, the technology will be put in place at the group’s other airports at London Stansted and East Midlands.

Brad Miller, Chief Operating Officer at Manchester Airport, said:

Safety and security will always be the first priority and, at the same time, Covid-19 will undoubtedly reshape the airport experience. We are exploring every innovation and technology that can help us to adapt to the new world, protect public health and restore confidence in air travel.

This new measure will allow us to manage our security process more efficiently in these challenging times, providing a better and more comfortable experience for passengers.

It is the latest in a series of measures introduced by MAG to make travel safer during the pandemic, which includes asking passengers and colleagues to wear face coverings and piloting temperature screening technologies.”


Kelly

Manchester Airport completes first phase of £1bn transformation

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Manchester Airport is celebrating the completion of the first major phase of its £1bn transformation programme this month.

Passengers flying out of the UK’s third largest airport are able to use a giant new pier, which connects to Terminal 2, for the first time.

The 216 metre pier provides extensive, panoramic views of the airfield and will be used by all airlines currently operating out of T2. The first flights to depart were operated by TUI Airways and went to Madeira and Naples.

Andrew Cowan, CEO of Manchester Airport, said:

This is a significant milestone for Manchester Airport as we deliver the first phase of the biggest investment we have made in our 80 year history.

We’re delighted to wave off the first handful of flights from the new pier, as we build up to bringing it into full operation in the days ahead.

What that means is our customers can start to enjoy the new facilities, at the same time as getting a taste of what to expect from the next stages of our £1bn transformation programme.

Over the coming years we will transform the airport for all of our customers, giving the North the world class airport it deserves. The investment we are making and the range of destinations we connect to, in all corners of the world, underlines the vital role Manchester Airport plays in creating jobs and driving growth across the North of England.

Having first put a spade in the ground in July 2017, a huge amount of work has gone into getting our new pier and multi-storey car park ready to open and I would like to thank all of our colleagues and delivery partners for their efforts.

The new pier was opened at around 4.30am on Monday, with passengers treated to entertainment by the NoTTwins, who featured on Britain’s Got Talent, the Loose Change Buskers who are raising money for Cancer Research, guitarist Jack O’Malley and Christian Marshall, a caricaturist to mark the occasion.

Also, attending the celebrations was TUI Airways crew member Caroline Cox from Bolton. She operated on the first flight out of Terminal 2 to Alicante when it opened back in 1993. Having worked for the company for 33 years, her elder son is now following in her footsteps and is a First Officer for the airline.

The opening marks the next phase of the airport’s transformation programme that will see Terminal 2 become the focal point of its operations. More than 1,750 people are currently working on the project which recently welcomed its 100th apprentice as work gathers pace. Over the coming weeks more and more flights will gradually move over to the new pier as it becomes fully operational.

Manchester Airport’s new pier is the first phase of a £1 billion transformation

The next phase of the £1bn transformation is the extension to the existing Terminal 2. Work is well underway and will see the terminal more than double in size. The extension will open in summer 2020 with 40 plus new food and beverage outlets and shops, followed by a further 40 when the existing building is fully refurbished

Peter Jones, Operations Leader for Laing O’Rourke, said:

It is a significant achievement to have the pier, link bridge and multi-storey car park ready for airport guests within 18 months. The project’s design, construction methods and logistics were all planned digitally before construction on the edge of the live airfield began. Our digital engineering approach meant we, and our project partners were able to work together efficiently; putting productive solutions in place to minimise disruption to passengers and staff, while delivering new facilities for Manchester Airport on time.

The opening comes as the airport continues to see passenger numbers continue to grow as it attracts further long-haul routes to likes of Addis Ababa and Seattle. The transformation will ensure the Northern hub can continue to play its role as a global gateway and economic and employment generator, as it plugs the region into key global destinations and widens UK connectivity.

Contact your GTM Account Manager when you next need to fly into – or out of – Manchester Airport.

Paul

Manchester Airport to introduce “private terminal”

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Manchester Airport has revealed plans to be the first major UK airport to open a private terminal, offering passengers a “private jet experience” while flying on commercial airlines.

The airport has released preview designs of the new terminal, which will be called PremiAir.  The PremiAir experience will be available to purchase for passengers irrespective of class of travel or the destination they are flying to – and prices start at £50.

The terminal will be entirely separate from the existing three terminals at Manchester Airport and there will be a number of different services available depending on individual passengers’ preferences.

The services offered at PremiAir include include a personalised welcome, speedy baggage processing, an elegant lounge with complimentary food and drink and a dedicated security channel.  Passengers will then be driven straight to their plane in a private car transfer.

Passengers arriving back into Manchester will also be able to use PremiAir, either as part of a round trip booking or as a standalone service. They will benefit from a car transfer direct from their plane and use of a dedicated passport control service. They will also be able to relax in the PremiAir lounge while their luggage is returned personally to them.

Andrew Harrison, CEO, Airport Services, MAG, said:

By introducing PremiAir, we’re offering something unique for all of our passengers, and creating a completely new way to travel.

It is something a large number of customers have been telling us for some time they would be interested in and we hope the services it will offer will appeal to a wide range of passengers, whether they are travelling for business, want to mark a special occasion or just want to add something different to their experience.

The PremiAir terminal is designed by Jacobs.  Ross Powell, Director of Operations, Jacobs, said:

Jacobs are absolutely delighted to have supported MAG bring this exciting and unique new product to the market.

We have worked hard with the Airport to create a simple yet elegant design, utilising natural materials, full height glass and visual connection to the airfield to offer the guest a warm, relaxing and personalised environment.

PremiAir is the latest investment by MAG in transforming the customer experience at Manchester Airport. The £1bn transformation of the UK’s third-largest gateway continues at pace, with the first phase of the project set to open in April this year. This scheme will see new piers and car parks developed and the latest technology installed to deliver a smooth and efficient journey for passengers through the airport.