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What happened to Terminal 2?Happy third birthday to Terminal 2
The first flight from the expanded Terminal 2 took off three years ago. It was not quite a new terminal, but it was more than just an upgrade. T2 was the most visible part of the ongoing transformation programme that will transform MAN.
What happened to Terminal 2?
Manchester Airport started a transformation programme back in 2017. This was a significant project that aimed to set the airport up for the expected traffic growth over the next decade. The reality was that in 2017 all three terminals were looking old. What passengers really cared about was having a better airport.
When that transformation programme completes Terminal 1 will be closed, and T2 will be a "super terminal" that folds in all the flights from T1.
The work on Terminal 2 was split into two. Stage 1 was completed in July 2021, and that gave us a slightly bigger, but certainly better terminal. The second and final stage is due to be completed in 2025. This will give us an even bigger terminal, with an expansion of the dining and shopping options. Plus perhaps some more lounges. When the programme is completed, 80% of passengers that fly from Manchester will use Terminal 2.
It's worth noting that there's another terminal at Manchester Airport. aether, formerly PremAir, is the "private terminal", but rather than it being for private jets it's for anyone will to pay extra for the experience. aether is due to open in November 2024, the bookings system is now open.
Manchester Terminal 2 Stats
Manchester Airport have released some interesting stats on Terminal 2
- 29.2million people have passed through the terminal, an average of 800,000 per month
- 21 airlines operate from the terminal, including Qatar, Turkish, XXXX. More will come when the final stage of the T2 transformation completes.
- You can currently fly to 109 destinations from T2.
- There are a staggering 35 restaurant and shops in the terminal, with more to come.
- 2.1million coffees have been sold in the last three years.
Last year Terminal 2 was (slightly questionably) named one of the "world’s most beautiful airport terminals" by the Prix Versailles Architecture Awards. It is a nice terminal, but I'm not sure it's up there with Changi or Doha.
