Work on Manchester Airport’s new terminal continues with launch of temporary lounge

Manchester Airport has revealed the first part of its £1bn transformation programme.

A temporary gate lounge that can hold up to 650 passengers is now open at Terminal 2, allowing the west half of the terminal to be demolished and rebuilt while the airfield remains fully operational.

The first passengers used the space at the end of August and more flights will now use the facility.

The temporary lounge, which is expected to be in place for up to two years, features ceiling-high windows offering a close-up view of the airfield, along with wall art detailing the airport’s 79-year history.

The opening of the new lounge follows last month’s visit from the Secretary of State for Transport Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP, which saw the start of work on the billion-pound development.

Rob Stewart, delivery director of the Manchester Airport Transformation Programme, said: “The opening of the lounge is the first milestone for the project since work started.

“It will allow us to demolish the western side of Terminal 2 and passengers will soon see cranes in place starting those works.”

He continued: “The new facility has been finished to a high standard and it is great to use the space to tell passengers travelling to destinations ranging from Beijing to San Francisco about the history of Manchester Airport and our plans for the future.

“Excitement is really building about the changes taking place at the airport and we are looking forward to seeing it develop in the weeks and months ahead.”

The new terminal building is due to operational by 2019.