€1.2bn Manchester Airport project completed

The departures area within the newly-constructed Terminal Two at the UK’s Manchester Airport

A major extension to Terminal Two of the UK’s Manchester Airport has been completed, four years after breaking ground.

The £1 billion (€1.17 billion) project – the largest taking place in the north of the country – involved more than 140 businesses and contractors, including the main construction partner Laing O’Rourke, airfield works contractor Galliford Try, architects Pascall +Watson, and programme management and design consultancies Arcadis and Jacobs.

More than 8,000 tonnes of steel went into the structure of the extended terminal, which now has an area of 81,000m².

Beyond the terminal extension, Laing O’Rourke’s scope of work included the construction of a new aircraft pier, a multi-storey car park, baggage hall and associated external works.

Gareth Jacques, project director at Laing O’Rourke, said, “We’re delighted to see the new Terminal Two open at Manchester Airport. Laing O’Rourke is proud to have played a role in its construction, and created a world-class piece of infrastructure that will bring significant economic benefit to the North.

“Constructing a high-quality, modern airport for 30 million passengers required detailed planning so close collaboration with our supply chain and design partners was key. By harnessing our experience of digital engineering, modern methods of construction and creating an effective work environment with our engaged workforce, we were able to deliver the programme on time and within budget.”

Manchester Airport’s managing director, Karen Smart, said, “The Manchester Airport Transformation Programme is the most ambitious expansion project in the history of our airport, and we are very grateful for the hard work, dedication and ingenuity our partners have shown in helping to bring it to fruition.”

Smart added, “More than 1,500 jobs have been created, including 150 apprenticeships, and tens of millions of pounds have been spent in the regional supply chain. We are also immensely proud to be created an AeroZone education facility as part of the project, which will inspire young people for years to come about a career in aviation.”