The first major phase of the £1bn transformation of Manchester Airport is now complete as the project marked the six month milestone.
Two apprentices, Elektra Politis and Holleeann Walker, tightened the final bolt on the steel framework on Friday, 23rd February; connecting one of the new airport piers to the Terminal Two extension for the first time.
The transformation programme, which was launched by The Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP in July 2017, is set to see Terminal Two grow by more than 140% and offer the latest innovations in travel. Passengers will be able to use the new pier from next summer.
Manchester Airport CEO, Andrew Cowan said: "Today is one of the major milestones for our £1bn transformation programme, which is gathering pace at a rapid rate.
"As you can see from Elektra and Holleeann being here today, not only are we building an airport for the future, but we are creating jobs and acting as an economic stimulus for the region and beyond.
"Through the delivery of the transformation we will have a world class airport the whole of the North can be proud of, and one that will attract new airlines and routes so that we can continue to play economic provider by linking the North to key investment and trade opportunities across the globe."
Bryan Glass, Programme Director, from Laing O'Rourke, said: "We're delighted with the progress we have made on site so far. Today marks the pier and the pier link building coming together for the first time, which is a huge milestone for the team. In a little over a year, passengers will be taking off and landing from this building and it's from up here you get a real sense of just how large the project is.
"Having spent a few months demolishing, piling and laying foundations, we've recently started on the terminal extension superstructure and the new multi storey car park. Around 90% of the multi storey car park will be built using our innovative offsite construction methodology, enabling us to build faster, more safely and to a higher quality.
"I'm also delighted that the project is having such a positive effect on the local community, with 52% of our workforce coming from the local area and with apprentices like Holleeann and Elektra starting out their careers with us on this prestigious project."
With the demolition works now largely complete and foundations laid, focus is now shifting to the construction of the new Terminal Two extension and multi storey car park, with four tower cranes erected to aid the process, and two more to be installed before the end of March, creating a dramatic skyline to the construction site.
Announced in June 2015 the £1bn programme will more than double Terminal Two, introduce two new security halls, self-service check-in facilities and state of the art services along with up to 50 new retail and food & beverage outlets will be available
