Manchester Airport has confirmed that the multimillion-pound expansion of Terminal 3 will be ready from 2028, with a 'phased opening' of the new features. The airport announced today that a project is underway to expand Terminal 3.
Expansion details and timeline
The development of T3 will see the departure lounge increase by over a third, equating to around an extra 2,000 square metres of floor space for passengers. The airport said that ceilings would be raised, allowing for more natural light in the terminal, and additional space will mean a range of new shops.
Passengers will notice changes in the coming weeks as a new Italian restaurant, called Terracotta, is set to open in November. More retailers will be announced in due course, and the airport said a 'competitive tender' to bring new retailers into the new T3 space would be launched.
Recent changes and context
T3 has already undergone a transformation this year with the opening of Sporting Chance, a 470-seat sports bar with airfield views. It opened in the upstairs area of T3 in March this year, in an area previously used for private lounges and a viewing area.
The work to evolve T3 is part of the airport's overall multibillion-pound transformation programme, which began in 2017. It has seen a complete overhaul of Terminal 2, with an extension opening in 2021, doubling the terminal's size. The second phase of the £1.5billion project saw the original T2 building refurbished to match the extension.
As part of the changes, T1 was closed in March this year, with all airline operations moved across to T2, except for Ryanair, which now operates exclusively from T3. The airport has confirmed that Ryanair will remain the sole operator from T3. The space gained from the closure of T1 will be used to expand T3, and passengers who have flown from the Terminal recently will be familiar with the route which passes through a section of the former T1.
Future plans and leadership comment
As part of the project, the walkway from security to departures will be opened up, creating a more spacious environment for passengers. The Manchester Evening News understands airport bosses discussed the possibility of renaming T3 to T1, but a decision was made to keep it as T3 over internal, external and airfield infrastructure issues, like signage and road marking.
The exact costing of the latest T3 project hasn't been revealed by the airport. The Manchester Evening News understands some elements are still being finalised.
Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said: "Here at Manchester Airport we are proud to connect the north to the world - serving record-breaking passenger numbers via a route network that is unrivalled outside the capital."
"We've completely redeveloped our award-winning Terminal 2 through our £1.5bn investment and now we're turning our attention to Terminal 3. We've already made significant changes, but now we're ready to accelerate that work and provide more space and facilities for our Ryanair passengers."
"It's a really exciting project and I'm really pleased to see it starting to take off. We'll be announcing even more in the coming weeks."
Summary of changes
Below are the details of the changes that have taken place so far at T3, and what passengers can expect in the coming years.
What has changed so far at Manchester Airport's Terminal 3
- There is now a new entrance and security area, using space from T1
- The closure of the following eateries: Trattoria Milano, The Lion and the Antelope, The Hangar (inside the 'Quiet Zone'), Kiosco and Pork & Pickle
- The opening of Sporting Chance, a 470-seat sports bar with airfield views
What changes are still to come at Manchester Airport's Terminal 3
- The opening of Terracotta, an Italian restaurant
- Increased departures lounge area, adding an extra 2,000 square metres of floor space
- Opening up of T3 spaces, adding in extra natural light
- More retail units, details of which are yet to be confirmed
