From wartime RAF base to a global aviation powerhouse

Countries & Cities · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Once a military training ground for parachutists, Manchester Airport has transformed into a massive international hub. Today, it stands as the busiest airport in the UK outside of London, connecting travelers to nearly 200 destinations across the globe through a complex network of evolving terminals.

The airport's origins trace back to Ringway, where construction began in late 1935. It officially opened on 25 June 1938, shortly after KLM launched the first scheduled commercial flights to the site on 27 June 1938. During the Second World War, the site served as RAF Ringway, playing a vital role in military aircraft production and parachutist training.

The post-war era saw rapid expansion. By the 1960s, Manchester had become Britain's second-busiest airport, trailing only Heathrow. The facility reached significant milestones throughout the decades, such as beginning 24-hour operations in 1953 and handling its first million passengers in a single month in 1987. In 1975, the site was officially renamed Manchester International Airport.

Today, the airport is undergoing a massive £1.3 billion redevelopment. This project aims to merge the former Terminal 1 with the current Terminal 3 by 2026. This transformation is designed to facilitate easier passenger transfers and accommodate the massive scale of modern travel. In 2024, the airport served 32.1 million passengers, ranking it 20th most busy in Europe and 3rd in the United Kingdom.

The airport's complexity is reflected in its diverse operations. While Terminal 3 focuses on low-cost, short-haul flights, the expanded Terminal 2 is set to handle 80% of all passenger traffic. Managing this vast infrastructure is the Manchester Airports Group, which is owned by ten metropolitan borough councils of Greater Manchester and the Australian finance house IFM Investors.

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