Manchester Airport Guide

Manchester Airport is the fourth busiest in the UK in terms of passenger numbers and certainly the country`s busiest outside the London area.

Manchester Airport ICAO Code: EGCC / Manchester Airport IATA Code: MAN

Manchester Airport Latitude: N53° 21' 12" and Longitude W2° 16' 44"

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When it opened in 1938 it was known as Ringway Airport and during the Second World War, it was named RAF Ringway because of the large air force presence stationed there.

There are two runways, situated parallel to each other and three terminals. A railway station is co-located with the airport, which is one of only 17 in the world to be able to accommodate the larger Code F aircraft.

It wasn`t until after the Second World War that Manchester Airport really began to expand in both size and importance. Nowadays its three passenger terminals are connected by skylink, a system of travelators which enables quick and easy access for passengers between terminals and from the railway station.

More than 60 airlines use Manchester airport and regular daily flights connect the north of the UK to many international destinations in North America, Asia, the Far East and Europe. In all, more than 190 destinations are covered by some 60 different airlines. As well as its international destinations, Manchester serves many other UK airports, including London Heathrow and Gatwick, as well as Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Channel Islands. Currently passenger numbers are approaching 20 million per annum, but this figure is expected to grow to around 38 million by 2015.

As well as the three passenger terminals, Manchester also has a World Freight Terminal. It`s used by 10 dedicated cargo services as well as other civil airlines which carry cargo as well as passengers. The main markets served by Manchester`s cargo airlines are North America and the Far East. On whole the Far East is mainly a source of imports, whilst exports dominate to the North American market. It`s a fast growing sector for Manchester and it is predicted that by 2015, something like 250,000 tonnes of cargo will be handled by the Aipport.

Manchester Airport has good transport links. Since 1993 it has had its own railway station, linking directly to Piccadilly Station in the centre of the city as well as many other stations across the north of England and Edinburgh in Scotland.

The Airport is well served by buses and coaches. Frequent bus services from across the Greater Manchester area arrive at the ground transport interchange, located close to the railway station. And around 100 coaches link the Airport with towns and cities across the UK.

The Airport is situated about 20 minutes drive from Manchester city centre and lies beside the M56 motorway. Both short and long stay parking are available on site and there is also off site long stay parking. Long stay parking is accessed via a free shuttle bus service. There is a wide and competitive range of companies offering car hire at UK airports including Manchester.