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.
Article Source: http://www.articlesabroad.com
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