Manchester Airport has confirmed a multi-million pound revamp of Terminal 3, with the project to expand the terminal by over a third given the green light on Friday, October 23. The expansion will provide more space for passengers, increased natural light and new retail units, with completion expected by 2028.
Terminal 3 has often been named among the worst terminals in the UK, most recently in September when a Which? survey crowned it the 'worst to fly from in the UK'. Compared to the airport's other terminals, T3 has felt smaller and more cramped, with fewer dining and retail options.
New additions and phased opening
In the coming weeks, one of the new additions will open to passengers: Terracotta, an Italian restaurant, set to be up and running in November. While details of the new shops are yet to be announced, the airport has confirmed the terminal will launch with a phased opening.
Passengers don't have to wait until then to enjoy the benefits of the revamp. Earlier this year, Sporting Chance, a 470-seat sports bar with 69 televisions and airfield views, opened to passengers. Located on the upper floor, previously home to lounges and the Quiet Zone, the bar is bright and spacious with a range of seating options and an array of sports shown all the time.
A brighter future for T3
The airfield views from Sporting Chance are spectacular, and the bar is a far cry from the Lion and Antelope Pub that was on the floor below, which often felt as if it was in a dark pit. One of the common complaints of T3 is that it's dark and dingy, so the announcement of additional space and more natural light is welcome news.
Some passengers may note that T3 now exclusively serves Ryanair passengers, but it's quite an achievement for an airline to have a dedicated terminal at an airport which serves over 200 destinations across the globe. T2, which now serves 75 per cent of the airport's passengers, will always be Manchester Airport's main hub, but for passengers flying with Ryanair across Europe, things are about to get significantly better.
