Manchester Airport is situated roughly 14 kilometres from Manchester city centre and handles over 23 million passengers each year, making it the third busiest airport in the UK. The airport is capable of serving up to 50 million passengers annually and is currently set to undergo extensive work to improve and expand its terminal facilities. With its excellent facilities and transportation links, Manchester Airport is an easy place to get to and offers a lot for the travellers waiting for flights.
The airport currently has three operational passenger terminals providing both domestic and international flights. The largest terminal is Terminal 1 which operates international flights alongside Terminal 2, while the smaller Terminal 3 is dedicated to domestic flights and low-cost airlines. The extensive shopping facilities at Manchester Airport range from newsagents and pharmacies to high-end designer stores and duty-free shopping, while the wide array of dining options ensure passengers always have an excellent selection of places to eat and drink.
Manchester Airport is linked to Manchester city centre and the surrounding area by extensive transportation networks including train and tram. The transport hub at Manchester Airport is known as The Station and offers a train service into Manchester Piccadilly as well as a 24-hour bus service into the city centre. The Metrolink network can also be accessed from Manchester Airport, with frequent services running to Cornbrook Interchange metro station. Passengers travelling further afield can even hop on a National Express coach that operates services all around the UK including London. Alternatively, metered taxis are available outside of the Arrivals area of each terminal and take as little as 25 minutes to get into central Manchester. Those looking for their own vehicle during their stay can also visit one of the many car hire providers operating at the Car Rental Village close by to Manchester Airport.
Since its official opening in 1938 as Ringway Airport, Manchester Airport has continued to grow into the busy modern airport of today. During the Second World War, the airport became an important base for the Royal Air Force before becoming the leading civilian airport in the region. The future of Manchester Airport looks bright with a number of expansion projects planned including an extension to Terminal 3 to boost its capacity.