TL;DR
- Seven airlines are moving to Manchester Terminal 2 between 2 and 19 November as part of the airport’s £1.3 billion transformation programme.
- SAS and Turkish Airlines move on 11 November. Emirates follows on 18 November, and easyJet wraps up the moves on 19 November.
- Airport-booked parking, lounges, and FastTrack passes are being handled automatically. Third-party bookings require clients to contact providers directly.
- Manchester Airport handled 3.1 million passengers in September 2025, its busiest September on record.
Manchester Airport is in the middle of operational changes this month. Seven airlines are relocating to Terminal 2 as part of the airport’s ongoing £1.3 billion transformation programme, and several of those moves are happening this week.
What’s Changing on 11 November
Two airlines are making the switch on 11 November:
SAS and Turkish Airlines are both moving their operations to Terminal 2.
This follows moves earlier this month from Air Transat (2 November) and Gulf Air (5 November).
Still to come: Norse Atlantic Airways moves tomorrow, Emirates moves on 18 November, and easyJet completes the November transitions on 19 November.
Airlines that moved earlier include Aer Lingus (plus regional services), British Airways, Finnair, Icelandair, Loganair, and Luxair, all of which transitioned in October 2024 or earlier.
Why It’s Happening
Manchester Airport handled over 3.1 million passengers in September 2025 alone, making it the busiest September on record. The terminal consolidation is part of a long-term strategy to modernise facilities and prepare for the eventual closure of Terminal 1.
Terminal 2’s new extension, completed in 2021, doubled the terminal’s size and won the Prix Versailles architecture award. The updated terminal includes expanded check-in areas, larger security halls, new retail and dining options, and improved wayfinding.
Once the transformation is complete, Terminal 1 will permanently close. Ryanair will remain the sole operator in Terminal 3.
Here’s What’s Useful
For agents with clients travelling from Manchester, there are a few practical details worth knowing:
Parking: Airport-booked Meet & Greet or multi-storey car park bookings are automatically moved to Terminal 2 at no cost. Third-party parking providers (such as Parkwhiz, JustPark, or Holiday Extras) require clients to contact them directly.
Lounge Access: Airport-direct lounge bookings can transfer to Terminal 2 if space is available. If Terminal 2 lounges are fully booked, clients receive a full refund. Third-party lounge providers require direct contact for transfer arrangements.
FastTrack and Premium Security: FastTrack and TimeSlot security bookings made for Terminal 1 or Terminal 3 automatically work in Terminal 2. No rebooking is required.
Assisted Travel: Clients requiring assistance should head to the assistance reception point at Terminal 2 check-in. Reception points are also available at the forecourt dedicated drop-off area.
Worth Noting
Terminal confusion is one of the most common passenger complaints at UK airports. A quick confirmation message to clients about which terminal their airline is using can prevent stress on travel day, particularly for passengers who expect their airline to use the usual terminal based on previous trips.
The moves are part of a planned transformation programme, and Manchester Airport has published detailed information on its website about the changes.
Agent Advantage Insight
A single proactive message confirming terminal details prevents client confusion and demonstrates professional value. One email can turn a potentially stressful travel day into a smooth departure.
