Manchester Airport MAN is U.K.'s largest Airport outside of London, with the highest Category 10 rating to handle Code F aircraft, and is only one of a small number of airports in the world able to handle the Airbus A380. It is also the only airport in the U.K. which is totally owned by the public; its aim is to become carbon-neutral by 2015.  Early 2012 MAN received its "Best UK Airport" award.

The Airport is located at Ringway, on the southern fringe of Greater Manchester, 14 km southwest of the city center of Manchester, in northwest England; it is situated between the Counties of Chester & Lancaster and is accessible via the M56 motorway, at Junction 5, as well as by train (Manchester Airport station is located between passenger terminals 1 & 2). Manchester Airport

With two long runways and an estimated 19 million passengers in 2011,  Manchester Airport is hub to BMI, EasyJet, Flybe, Jet2.com and some charter airlines, and is served by a multitude of major domestic and international airlines offering direct and connecting flights to all parts of the globe.

On-Airport Hotels:  (a) Radisson SAS Hotel, with elevated covered walkway to T1, T2 & T3;  (b) Bewley's Hotel, a five-minute walk to T1 & T3; and  (c) Crowne Plaza Hotel inside the Airport complex.

The passenger terminal complex of Manchester Airport consists of three terminals - T1, T2 & T3 . (For detailed terminal information, click on 'Terminal Map'.) 

 

 

To get from Manchester Airport to your destination, you can rent a car, take a taxi, a bus or a train. For local bus network contact Transport for Greater Manchsester at +44 (0)161 244 1000 or Traveline +44 0871 200 22 33.
1. Manchester Airport train station offers fast & frequent connections to over 100 destinations across northern England & beyond. 
(a) There are six trains an hour running to the Mancheser Piccadilly station at City center, with fast rail connection countrywide.  For national rail inquiries, call 08457 48 49 50.
(b) The TransPennine Express & Northern Rail offer frequent direct services 24/7 to: Sheffield, York, Newcastle, Leeds, Huddersfield, Boton, Preston, Backpool & Lake District.  The Arriva Trains Wales serve Ehester & North Wales.

2. The Metrolink - greater Manchester's tram system - serves the city center with lines to Altrincham, Bury & Eccles & the new South Manchester station.. Airport passengers may connect to Metrolink by rail services between the Airport and Manchester Piccadilly, and with Arriva bus service 18 & 18A at Altrincham. (A  Metrolink extension to the Airport opens in 2012!).

3. Buses: Among the many bus services available are the following bus numbers:
(a) 105 to Manchester city center via Wythenshawe, Benchill, Sharston, Northenden & Moss Side;
(b) 43 to Manchester via Wythenshawe, Fallowfield & Rusholme. 
(c) 199 -The Stockport Express - runs via M56 & M60, to Hazel Grove, New Mills, Whaley Bridge, Chapel en-le-Frith & Buxton.  
(d) Other bus connections by numbers: 200, 18, 18A, 19, 369 & 200.  For more information, call +44 (0) 161 228 7811.
(e) Gorilla Bus, a low-cost coach, runs direct services (day & night) between Manchester Airport and Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent, Birmingham, Carlisle, Hamilton and Glasgow.

Present and Future Airport Developments:  While Runway 23R/05L has concluded its 2-year refurbishing project in September 2011, construction starts in 2012 on a new 60-meter high Air Traffic Control tower, expected to be completed by 2013.
The Metrolink is planning a 14.5km extension to the new South Manchester line, taking people all the way from of Manchester's center to the Airport via Chorlton, Northern Moor, Baguely and Wythenshawe. The line is due to be fully operational in 2016 and trams will run every 12 minutes.