Manchester Airport to launch private terminal

Manchester Airport today revealed plans to be the first major UK airport to open a private terminal, which offers passengers a "private jet experience" while flying on commercial airlines.

The airport has released preview designs of the new terminal, which will be called PremiAir and will be entirely separate to the existing three terminals at Manchester.

The PremiAir experience will be available to purchase for passengers irrespective of class of travel or the destination they are flying to – and prices start at £50. The intention is that PremiAir should offer a premium service to a wide range of passengers, whether they are travelling on business, for a special occasion or simply want to add a touch of luxury to their trip.

Passengers using PremiAir to depart from Manchester Airport will kick-off their journey with a range of special services, including: a personalised welcome, speedy baggage processing, an elegant lounge with complimentary food and drink, and a dedicated security channel. They will then be driven straight to their plane in a private car transfer.

Passengers arriving back into Manchester will also be able to use PremiAir, either as part of a round trip booking or as a standalone service. They will benefit from a car transfer direct from their plane and use of a dedicated passport control service. They will also be able to relax in the PremiAir lounge while their luggage is returned personally to them.

Inside the PremiAir terminal, there will be a range of spaces designed to cater for different needs, ranging from individual travellers to larger groups.

The new PremiAir terminal is situated away from the existing terminals, just two minutes' drive from the M56. Secure parking will be available for those who drive to the facility. As well as easy road access, passengers using PremiAir will benefit from reduced walking distances, as the total walking distance from arriving at the terminal to the aircraft door will be under 20 metres (65 feet).

Andrew Harrison, CEO, Airport Services, MAG, said: "By introducing PremiAir, we're offering something unique for all of our passengers, and creating a completely new way to travel.

"It is something a large number of customers have been telling us for some time they would be interested in and we hope the services it will offer will appeal to a wide range of passengers, whether they are travelling for business, want to mark a special occasion or just want to add something different to their experience.

"The launch of PremiAir at Manchester Airport is the beginning of an exciting new project for MAG and we plan to assess opportunities to introduce it at other airport sites in the future. At MAG, we are always looking for new and innovative products to improve the passenger experience, and PremiAir is a significant addition to our portfolio."

Construction work is now underway on a site next to the Runway Visitor Park, where the new terminal will be sited. The existing Runway Visitor Park buildings will not be changed. The facility is due to open in mid-2019.

Andrew Cowan, CEO, Manchester Airport, said: "It is an exciting period in the history of Manchester Airport, as we continue to add new routes and deliver the largest investment we have ever made in our facilities.

"Our £1bn transformation will give the North the international gateway it deserves, while connecting it to the best leisure and business destinations around the world.

"PremiAir will add another dimension to that, giving all of our customers the opportunity to tailor the airport experience to their own personal preferences, adding touches of luxury at affordable prices."

Tags:
Manchester Airport
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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Vince Chadwick
Wednesday 23rd January 2019 at 2:40 pm
A 4th terminal next to the Runway Visitor Park? That should do wonders for the traffic congestion on Altrincham Road by the Amazon warehouse junction, especially when the Airport City warehouse complex becomes fully populated.
Simon Worthington
Wednesday 23rd January 2019 at 4:41 pm
The facility will be over run with those wishing to avoid the horrid experience of the rest of the dump. Worst airport in the world is quite possible.
Barry Buxton
Wednesday 23rd January 2019 at 5:00 pm
What a couple of misery guts VC and SW are! I suppose there will always be those who don't want anything to change - except to bring on Brexit, so that we can revert to living in the glory days of Britannia.
Shanila Baseley
Wednesday 23rd January 2019 at 6:09 pm
Well they need to do something to improve customer experience (it couldn’t be any worse). As a person who flys out of Manchester Airport every week, I can honestly say it’s the worst airport I go through out of all the major EU cities. It’s grim, nothing ever works, you have to go up and down stairs with bags to get to your gate, and the staff at security and passport control have let the power go to their heads. Only airport that I literally dread going through...and I’m someone with fast track...look forward to the day when I don’t have to slag off my local airport.
Raymond Walker
Thursday 24th January 2019 at 8:52 am
I totally agree with Shanila above.
It's interesting to see that our Airport Directors have plenty of time (and money) to invent new schemes yet continue to be blind in providing little extras to help their passengers. Arrival information desks are rarely manned out of office hours, and train departure boards in the terminals are still non-existent despite continual requests for them. No information maps showing positions of entrances and inter-terminal routes exist even on the internet.
Security scanners are never fully manned and they enjoy seeing a queue.
My travel by train and Heathrow T2 was a joyful experience in comparison. We remember Manchester Airport meanly charging £1 for a 3p plastic bag to hold liquids when Gatwick and Heathrow offered a help-yourself pile. Greed seems to be Manchester's slogan.
When will senior management meet the public?
Alan Brough
Thursday 24th January 2019 at 10:42 am
How do they offer “dedicated” passport control services when this is a function of The Home Office?

At least there has been some forethought given to the infrastructure planning in this case. The “priority” traffic lane has been open under the airport tunnels for several years for those who don’t feel the need to queue with the proletariat.