Manchester Airport Terminal 3 revamp to include significant commercial space expansion

UK. Manchester Airport today (13 May) announced a multi-million-pound investment to revamp Terminal 3. Devised to improve passenger experience, the project will free up space for new retail stores, bars and restaurants.

The project will remodel the entrance to the terminal, the security hall and departure lounge. This, the airport said, will create extra space for passengers and for new retailers and restaurateurs, as well as updating the look and feel of the building.

The northern England travel hub launched its ambitions transformation programme in 2015. It involves doubling the size of Terminal 2 and closing Terminal 1. The airport has set out how it plans to use some of the space in T1 after it closes to expand the adjoining T3.

Key elements of the investment in T3 include a new entrance to the terminal with more space, easier access and better facilities; new security equipment; +40% more seating capacity in the departure lounge; a new 500-seat bar area with airfield views; an expanded dining area with 200 extra seats; and more shops and facilities landside in the arrivals area.

The key part of the airport’s decade-long, £1.3 billion transformation programme is the brand-new T2. The programme’s first phase saw an extension added to the existing T2 building to double its size.

That extension opened in 2021 and has now served more than 30 million passengers.

The project’s second phase is due for completion later this year and brings the existing part of the building up to the same standard as the extension, with the addition of more than 20 new retailers, bars and restaurants.

Once it is complete, the new T2 is set to become “the beating heart of the airport”, with more than 70% of all passengers eventually using it.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said, “We are proud to connect the people of the North to the world – and our transformation programme means that our passengers will be able to enjoy an airport experience that rivals that of any European capital city.

“The work we’ve done in Terminal 2 is there for all to see – and we’ve already won the prestigious Prix Versailles award for its architecture and design. But until now we haven’t talked about our plans for Terminal 3.

“Moving to a two-terminal airport is giving us a great opportunity to use some of the existing Terminal 1 space to increase the footprint of Terminal 3.

“We’re doing that as well as making some all-round improvements to Terminal 3 – so passengers will enjoy new security technology, more space, more seats, new retail and food and drink, and more.

“It’s another exciting step towards delivering an even better experience for our passengers and I can’t wait to see it progress.”

The announcement comes at the same time as the airport has reached a number of other key milestones in its transformation programme, which will be complete later in 2025.

Among them is new check-in desks in the latest section of T2 have now opened – soon to be followed by the new security hall.

Retail spaces in the new part of the terminal have been handed over to the brands that will run them so they can be fitted out, ready to launch later this year.