UK Travel Guide - Manchester Airport Plans For Passenger Focussed Development

27th November 2008 - by Donald Donaldson

Manchester Airport Plans For Passenger Focussed Development

A look at redevelopment plans at Manchester Airport to increase the retail space and car hire provisions in a way that matches the needs of passengers.

Manchester airport has long been known for its belief in innovative schemes and planning. For instance, recently an iris scanning security system was put in place across the site so the thousands of workers for shops, restaurants and car hire firms only have access to specific regions of the site and not the most sensitive areas. However, recently Manchester Airport has announced that they are planning a revamp of Terminal 1, this revamp is set to cost around thirty five million pounds and subsequently will be a major investment. The reason this investment is particularly special is due to the fact that instead of simply listening to an architect, the Manchester Airport team are heeding the advice of expert psychologists.

Fundamentally the biggest change will be an enlargement of shopping areas and retail space, although the room for services such as car hire is also likely to be increased. The plans however have been made after the release of an expansive study into passenger behaviour. The study took place in Manchester airport and picked up on mental activities and body language to gain an idea of the emotional state and mindset of passengers. The study also included information on the effects of sleeping on planes and even in the terminal. With these results it is hoped that a more passenger friendly terminal will be a possibility.

What not be news to regular travellers is that those arriving at the site were in the mindset that they wanted to get the security and passport checking over and done with as soon as possible. The result has been that the landside space, the part of the airport prior to security control is being reduced in favour of a better security service, cuing system and airside shops and restaurants. The focus upon retail space however is twofold; while the airport chiefs may wish to improve the passenger experience, the fact that shops, restaurants and car hire services have to pay higher rents to be located in the airside part of the airport is probably also a strong incentive to change the layout of the terminal.

The design of this retail space, whatever the objectives has been careful designed to match the needs of passengers. For instance, the space has been split into four areas; the first area has been designed to cater for travellers immediate needs and subsequently contains items such as drinks, newspapers and toiletries. After this zone is the largest airside retail space in the UK, selling duty free cigarettes, alcohol and cosmetics, to match the needs of passengers. The third sector contains many shops owned by large high street brands that will give passengers the chance to grab electrical and clothing items and finally, the passenger will reach the fourth sector, an area dedicated to relaxation filled with restaurants and bars.

As Manchester Airport makes so much added revenue from retail spaces and car hire services it is unsurprising that they are increasing the percentage of terminal floor space dedicated to these activities. While these plans may cost thirty five million pounds what is doubtless is that the MAG (Manchester Airport Group) will recoup this expenditure in time through shop rent. While executives may be quick to spout that the plans are solely focussed towards the needs of passengers, they have also been cleverly designed to extract the greatest revenue from travellers.