Manchester Airport Expects Over a Million Half-Term Passengers

Manchester Airport expects more than one million passengers over the October half-term break and has issued travel guidance ahead of the rush. Halloween falls in half-term week, and officials expect late-season and holiday travellers.

Popular destinations include Alicante, Antalya, Tenerife and Malaga. Others are choosing seasonal city breaks, with Derry, Frankfurt, Prague and Bucharest among the top picks for family-friendly Halloween trips.

Airport bosses say they are well prepared. They point to the summer, when 97% of passengers waited under 15 minutes at security.

Advice to passengers

Newer scanners now allow liquids and electronic devices to stay in hand luggage, but the 100ml per-container limit remains in force until the Civil Aviation Authority gives further approval.

The Terminal 2 West Multi-Storey car park (P3) now runs without entry or exit barriers. Drivers who have not pre-booked must pay online or by phone before midnight on the day after their visit. A free drop-off option stays available at JetParks 1, linked by a shuttle bus that runs around the clock and takes five minutes.

Passengers should follow their airline's advice, which is typically to arrive two hours before short-haul departures and three hours before long-haul ones. People with hand luggage are urged to check in online days or weeks ahead. Local travellers with hold luggage can look at twilight or day-before bag drop offered by some airlines, which include free short-stay parking while dropping off.

Anyone needing mobility or travel assistance should book through their airline at least 48 hours before departure.

Officials expect roadworks and holiday congestion across the regional road and rail network. They recommend using public transport where possible and leaving plenty of time.

Terminal 2 travellers will also find recent openings in the expanded departure lounge, including the Great Northern Market food hall and The Belle Vue Manchester Airport, the airport's first Wetherspoon pub.

Source: Liverpool Echo