A MAJOR UK airport may get a tram line for a new £1.3billion terminal as bosses prepare for eight million more flyers.
Manchester Airport has revealed the latest plans for their multi-billion Terminal 2 renovation.
The airport’s revamp is part of a wider 10-year redevelopment, which saw the terminal double in size back in 2021.
Major airlines including Lufthansa, Swiss and Austrian moved to the terminal last October, followed by Jet2 and Egyptair.
Now there are plans to possibly introduce a new Metrolink stop and tram line, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is considering adding a Metrolink station on a new “Western leg” of the existing tram line.
A TfGM document revealed: “As for tram, there are proposals to extend the tram from its current terminus at Manchester Airport railway station to serve Terminal 2 directly.
“With the completion of the Manchester Airport Transformation Programme in 2025, most flights will arrive and depart from this terminal.”
It is understood if proposals get the green light, services will stop for passengers at the Manchester Airport rail and tram station and continue on to the new T2.
The tram would travel across the M56 and connect to the existing line at Roundthorn.
It would be created to accommodate the eight million more flyers expected in the next five years.
A Manchester Airport spokesperson said: “Here at Manchester Airport, we are proud to connect the North to the world via our ever-growing network of more than 200 destinations with upwards of 50 airlines.
“With our brand new £1.3bn Terminal 2 almost fully open we have the high-quality infrastructure to go from serving 32m passengers this year, up to 40m by 2030 and beyond that in the years that follow.
“But as we continue to serve more passengers, and the growing number of airport staff, it’s important that the transport infrastructure that connects the airport to the local area and the wider region is convenient, fast, affordable and able to meet that demand.
“It will also help make sure that the benefits of Manchester Airport’s route network and the wealth that generates can be felt by more people.
“We are working closely with TfGM, the City Council, and the transport operators on these plans for rail, the Bee Network, coach services, and walking and cycling.
“When joined together and delivered, they could make a huge difference to people all over Greater Manchester and beyond.”
This comes as plans were also revealed to see the modern terminal upgraded with new security scanners using “state of the art technology“.
And, the airport is getting 20 new shops and bars, including it’s first Wetherspoons pub, along with a LEGO store and Fever Tree bar.
Called The Avenue, the “shopping street” will also have chops like Chanel and the Great Northern Market.
Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said: “Our transformation programme has been 10 years and £1.3bn in the making but now we’re in the final stages of finishing everything off to open it to the public later this year.
“There’s a huge amount of work going on all over the airport but this video shows that it will all be worth it.”
He also said that other parts of the airport were being redeveloped – including Terminal 3.
He continued: “That work isn’t just limited to Terminal 2 either. We’re modernising our airfield, building a new road to improve access to the new terminal – and we’ll soon be able to say more about some work we’re doing in Terminal 3 too.”
Manchester Airport first opened in 1938, and has since expanded to welcome nearly 30million passengers a year.
Terminal One opened in 1962, with Terminal 2 added in 1993 – both launched by the Duke of Edinburgh.
Terminal Three – previously named Terminal A – was opened by Princess Diana in 1989.
It is also the only other UK airport to have two runways, along with London Heathrow, and is the third biggest (after Heathrow and Gatwick).
Long-haul routes operating from Manchester Airport include Singapore and Hong Kong, as well as Barbados, Beijing and Florida.
