Manchester airport starts phased reopening of third terminal

A phased reopening of Terminal Three at Manchester airport starts from this Sunday.

The gradual restart after shutdown during the pandemic will begin with the terminal being used for arriving passengers travelling with a limited number of airlines.

Those flying with Aurigny, British Airways, Eastern Airways, Iberia Express, Loganair, Ryanair and Vueling will continue to check-in and go through security in Terminal One, but will return into Terminal Three.

Relaunched Flybe will also fly into Terminal Three once the airline has resumed services from Manchester later in the year.

“While the two terminals are directly next to each other, passengers are advised to consider these changes when making drop-off, pick-up and parking arrangements,” an airport spokesperson said.

Those travelling over the coming weekend should also factor in extra time for their journey to the airport, due to closures on the M56, and the clocks changing on Sunday.

Passengers flying on or after March 27 with BA, Iberia Express, Ryanair and Vueling will be asked to use the shops, restaurants and boarding gates within Terminal Three and will be directed to these areas once they have passed through Terminal One security. The two terminals are linked airside, with signage in place to direct passengers.

Those flying with these airlines who have bookings for the Terminal One Escape Lounge have been contacted to advise them of the changes, and invited to cancel and rebook from Terminal Three with a discount code.

Passengers using Aurigny, Eastern Airlines and Loganair will continue to use the Terminal One facilities for outbound journeys, and will only use Terminal Three when arriving into Manchester.

The remainder of Terminal Three, including the check-in hall and security, will be reopened at a later stage as the airport ramps up capacity in line with the recovery of passenger numbers.

Covid-19 measures that are still in place across Terminal One and Terminal Two will also be applied in Terminal Three, including an enhanced cleaning regime.

The airport is also set to reopen its second runway from April 5, initially for a limited number of hours each day and gradually increasing as demand continues to rise.

Airport managing director Karen Smart said: “After almost two years of closure, it is a positive step forward on the road to recovery to be able to partially reopen Terminal Three and resume operating from both runways.

“We have taken this decision in light of an increase in passenger numbers since Covid-19 restrictions were lifted, which is projected to continue into the summer.

“People who these changes apply to should make sure they bear this in mind when making their travel arrangements.

“We are also aware many passengers won’t have flown for a long time so would always encourage them to prepare for their airport journey in advance, and to remind themselves of the rules around security and hand luggage.”