Manchester Airport presses ahead with £1bn Transformation Programme
Super Terminal
Images of what the new super-terminal at Manchester Airport will look like have been released as bosses unveil the latest look for the £1bn Transformation Programme.
It comes as the Airport calls for the Government to truly throw its weight behind the Northern Powerhouse vision.
The project to expand and upgrade the airport looks set to be completed in 2023. It's said to be the biggest single construction project ever to take place in Greater Manchester and will see Terminal Two merge with Terminal Three.
It's hoped as a result there will be faster check-in and security checks, as well as a speedier journey through immigration and baggage claim.
There'll be more restaurants, bars and shops bringing over a thousand jobs to the airport.
Speaking at the UK Northern Powerhouse Conference in Manchester city centre Airport Chief Exec Ken O'Toole called for Government action on transport spend in the North of England.
Mr O'Toole said a clear case had been made for investment in infrastructure projects like Northern Powerhouse Rail (HS3), which has the potential to transform the Northern economy by dramatically improving connectivity between the North's leading cities and Manchester Airport.
But he urged Ministers to make a clear commitment to the scheme to show the Government is serious about creating a thriving and internationally competitive Northern Powerhouse.
He said: "If the Northern Powerhouse is to be truly competitive on the global stage, it should be as easy as possible to travel from Hull to Hong Kong; Liverpool to Los Angeles and Sheffield to Singapore.
"Slashing journey times through investment in NPR could lead to the North securing direct flights to 20-30 key global markets, with millions more people in easy reach of Manchester Airport.
"It is connectivity like that that will maximize growth in sectors like life sciences, advanced manufacturing, technology and energy. It is connectivity like that that is key to delivering an Industrial Strategy that rebalances the UK economy.
"Northern Powerhouse Rail could give us that connectivity and drive transformational improvements in productivity and growth."
Mr O'Toole said it was clear 2017 was going to be a "very important year for the North" in terms of the need for Government support.
He added: "We have the plan the time is now for Government to commit to it, starting in just a few weeks time with the Budget."
Mr O'Toole also told delegates the the Government must seize the opportunity presented by the creation of a new national aviation policy this year to ensure that airports across the UK maximise their potential to link the UK to the world's most important markets.
That will not be achieved unless road, rail and aviation policies are joined-up, he said, adding that strong international connectivity is key to the success of the Government's new Industrial Strategy.
Mr O'Toole said unlocking the potential of airports like Manchester was key to creating a "truly global Britain," especially in the 10-15 years it will take to build a new runway at Heathrow.
And he told the conference there were short term measures Government could take to demonstrate Britain was "open for business," such as the reform of aviation taxes, border and visa policies.