Work starts on £1bn Manchester Airport transformation programme

June 08, 2018: Manchester Airport sees the start of work on a new taxiway as part of its £1 billion transformation programme. The building of Taxiway Delta Echo, as the new taxiway will be called, is the start of the reconfiguration of the airfield at one of the UK’s biggest aviation hubs to help feed the redeveloped Terminal 2.

The works will see 80,000m2 of new taxiway and apron, 40,000m3 of concrete poured and sixteen miles of cabling installed with the aim of all excavated material being diverted from landfill throughout. The work is due to be completed by July 2020.

Galliford Try will deliver the taxiway works as part of the Airfield Phase 2 Design and Build Contract awarded in December 2017. Jacobs are providing MAG with client Project and Programme Management support services for the full airfield scope of the transformation programme.

Once finished, it will improve aircraft access to the new terminal, leading to reduced taxi times and reducing the amount of fuel they burn. The works will be the biggest changes to the airfield since Runway 2 came into operation in 2001.

Andrew Cowan, CEO of Manchester Airport, said: “It’s another exciting milestone alongside the works already happening on the terminal building. Our airline customers will see taxi times reduced which will ultimately improve the experience for our 28m passengers.”

Chris Scoffield, managing director Infrastructure – Rail and Aviation said: “Today marks the start of the next phase of this exciting project. Being part of such a significant transformation for the airport and the North West is a great honour for our company and the local people which we employ.

“We’re looking forward to beginning this new stage of the transformation project, which will enhance the facilities and connectivity of the airport for many years to come.”

The first pier will open to passengers in April 2019 with the redeveloped terminal building set to open in 2020.