Manchester Airport today revealed the progress made on its £1bn transformation, with several months to go until it opens its new “super terminal.”

The UK’s third largest airport also released new images and a video to showcase what passengers using the new facilities can expect, when they start using the new terminal from next summer.

New features unveiled include a honeycomb light installation that proudly illuminates the departure lounge. With 16 million settings, it will change colours depending on the time of day.

A new 83 square metre digital screen will take centre stage in the new extension to provide entertainment and information to passengers. There will also be a new children’s play area to help families pass the time before heading on their travels.

New shops will also open in the departure lounge including passenger favourites like JD Sports, WH Smiths and Dixons Travel. Bury-based JD Sports will open its largest ever airport store in the UK. Dozens of new retail outlets will also open when the existing terminal building reopens.

The new announcements come on the back of the news earlier in the year that 15 new food and beverage outlets would open including Manchester favourites like San Carlo Cicchetti, Pot Kettle Black, Archie’s and Barburrito.

The first the phase of the terminal extension is set to open in July 2020. It will see a brand-new security hall, the departure lounge, the immigration hall, arrivals hall and the new bus gate lounge open to passengers.

Once they are up and running, further facilities will start operating during the rest of 2020, including the first of the new ‘island’ check-in desk banks and the new baggage reclaim facilities. As the various elements of the new extension open, the airport will start to close parts of the existing Terminal Two to allow for that area to be reconfigured to align with the new facilities.

The fully reconfigured Terminal Two will open in 2022 with 32 new shops and food and beverage outlets set to feature in that area. The completed Terminal Two will be 150% bigger than the current building once finished.

Pier Two will also open at that time and will be a similar size to Pier One. It will have the capability to handle the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the double-decker A380 and will also include airline lounges. The remaining terminal and airfield infrastructure is due to open in 2024.

Passengers with accessibility requirements have been consulted throughout the development and build of the terminal. Due to their feedback changes have been made to signage and colour schemes. The sunflower room that has proved popular in Terminal One, will also open in the reconfigured terminal in 2022.

https://youtu.be/FYGaZG503Ps

The completed extension will achieve BREEAM status of very good for its sustainability credentials. Other environmental developments include fixed electric ground power points on all new stands which mean aircraft don’t have to leave their engines running when parked up. The terminal will also feature a highly efficient combined heat and power system.