Manchester Airport Transformation Programme (Terminal 2 Expansion)
Manchester Airport, Manchester, UK · 2015-present (first announced 2015, Phase 2 in final stages) · £1.3 billion (overall programme, announced 2015); £1 billion (Laing O'Rourke contract)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe programme represents a significant investment to solidify Manchester Airport's role as the UK's global gateway in the North. - The use of geospatial services helped identify and manage a large number of issues, improving project delivery. - The phased approach allows for continuous improvement and expansion while maintaining airport functionality. - Focus on customer and colleague experience drove many of the design and operational decisions.
Key engineering challenges
Managing the complexity of the structure and high degree of systems integration within an operational airport. - Extensive interfaces with airside operations, requiring careful planning and execution. - Identifying and resolving over 6,000 issues during the transformation, including in Terminal 2 redevelopment and Pier 2. - Ensuring seamless connection between the new extension and the refurbished original Terminal 2 building.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Manchester Airports Group (MAG)
- Lead contractor
- Laing O'Rourke (main contractor); NG Bailey (for Terminal 2 Pier 2)
- Lead designers
- Buro Happold (Terminal 2 extension); Arcadis (program management and digital solutions)
- Project type
- new build | upgrade | expansion
- Scale
- Revolutionized customer and colleague experience; new security infrastructure; international departure lounge; capacity for 29.5 million annual passengers.
- Disciplines
- civil; structural; mechanical; electrical; architectural; systems integration; aviation planning; digital solutions
- Standards & frameworks
- —
Sources: Manchester Airport: Your New Terminal 2 (https://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/at-the-airport/terminal-2/your-new-t2/) - Laing O'Rourke: Manchester Airport Transformation Programme (https://www.laingorourke.com/projects-and-sectors/united-kingdom/manchester-airport-transformation-programme/) - Buro Happold: Manchester Airport Terminal 2 Transformation Project (https://www.burohappold.com/projects/manchester-airport-terminal-2-transformation-project-terminal-2-extension/) - Arcadis: Manchester Airport Transformation Programme (https://www.arcadis.com/en/projects/europe/united-kingdom/manchester-airport-transformation-programme/) - Woolpert: Geospatial Services Enable Transformation at Manchester Airport (https://woolpert.com/case-studies/geospatial-services-enable-transformation-at-manchester-airport/)