UK’s largest airport group announces carbon offsetting scheme for passengers with CarbonClick

UK’s largest airport group announces carbon offsetting scheme for passengers with CarbonClick

Passengers at Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands airports can now offset carbon emissions from flights they take to any destination, with any airline via an easy online process

Offsetting will fund the development of new woodland in the Lake District and carbon-reduction projects in Ghana and Nigeria

MAG has been ranked the number one airport operator in Europe in the GRESB Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) rating programme

The UK’s largest group of airports also publishes its annual CSR Report today, in which it details its commitment to a sustainable recovery from the pandemic

Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has announced it will provide passengers at all three of its airports the ability to offset the carbon emissions from their flights in a new partnership with CarbonClick.

CarbonClick’s voluntary offset tool allows passengers, regardless of their airline or destination, to quickly calculate the emissions from their flight and purchase carbon credits to compensate for them. Every purchase can be immediately linked directly to the high-quality climate projects that CarbonClick supports in the UK and abroad.

For example, a return flight to Amsterdam from Manchester Airport can be offset for £2.14 per passenger and a return flight to Dubai for £11.54 per passenger. Each offset will be split equally between two causes: the UK-based “Woodland Creation in the Lake District” on Lowther Estate, Cumbria, which promotes biodiversity and reduces carbon and the risk of flooding and “Promoting Improved Cooking Practices”, which makes and distributes efficient charcoal cookstoves. Use of the stoves reduces the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere and will improve the health of communities in Ghana and Nigeria.

Buying one carbon offset credit removes the equivalent of one tonne of CO2 from the atmosphere. This means that one passenger’s return flight to Amsterdam would require 0.145 of a carbon credit, which will remove approximately 145kg of CO2 from the atmosphere, while a return flight to Dubai would need the equivalent of 0.836 carbon credits to be offset, removing approximately 836kg of CO2.

Accredited, high-quality carbon offsetting is just one tool immediately available to the aviation sector as it moves towards a more sustainable future and works to support the reduction in overall CO2 levels from the atmosphere.

Norwegian returns to Manchester Airport

The budget carrier Norwegian has restarted its service to Manchester Airport from Oslo following the removal of travel restrictions.  The carrier now operates the route twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays and has indicated it will increase rotations as demand increases later in the year.

Norwegian is the latest of more than a dozen airlines to fly and out of the airport's new-look terminal two, which opened its doors in July.

Meanwhile the airports boss, Charlie Cornish welcomed news of the recent major changes to the traffic light system, "This is brilliant news for British people who are desperate to travel overseas on holiday, to visit friends and family or for business. Customers can now book with confidence, safe in the knowledge that testing is affordable and easy to understand.  Removing so many countries from the red list gives people the most choice they have had since before the pandemic, which will help stimulate the recovery of the UK’s prized aviation sector.

We look forward to welcoming passengers taking advantage of these changes through our airports in the weeks and months ahead."

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Flight Academy returns to Manchester Airport’s Runway Visitor Park

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  Popular Flight Academy programme is back over school summer holidays
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• Sessions give youngsters a chance to learn about the various jobs that keep Manchester Airport running
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• Runway Visitor Park is fully open to visitors once again, offering exciting family days out
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• Concorde tours back up and running, giving families a chance to see iconic aircraft close up

Manchester Airport’s Runway Visitor Park (RVP) has confirmed the return of its ever-popular Flight Academy this summer, as it reopens fully following the lifting of Coronavirus restrictions.

Sessions are available up to five times per week throughout August.

The Academy programme, which has been running for several years, is a firm favourite with young families. During the 90-minute session, children taking part will learn about the different job roles that help ensure that Manchester Airport runs smoothly 365 days of the year.

They then head outside to have a look at Manchester Airport’s runways, watch planes taking off and landing and see some of the various jobs that they’ve learnt about in action.

Flight Academy sessions take place on board the Runway Visitor Park’s retired DC10 airliner and youngsters can get a feel for what it would be like to sit in the cockpit and take control of a commercial aircraft.

A ticket for one adult and one child costs £10, with parking available for the full day at just £5. Sessions are split into two age groups – one for children aged 4-7 years and another for those aged 8-12.

Aegean Airlines moves across to the new Terminal Two at Manchester Airport

Aegean Airlines has become the latest airline to relocate to Manchester Airport’s new-look ‘super terminal number Two.

Additional cafes and retailers are also opening in Terminal Two as passenger footfall is forecast to increase over the summer.  The Terminal Two extension opened to the public on 14th July with Jet2.com and TUI operating from there in the first week.

Singapore Airlines, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Brussels Airlines, airBaltic and Ethiopian Airlines have all now followed suit in moving their operations to the new terminal.

Greek carrier Aegean Airlines will become the ninth airline to operate from the ‘super terminal, offering services to Athens on a thrice-weekly basis.   

Passengers travelling with Aegean Airlines should now use Terminal Two. Those with Manchester Airport car park or lounge bookings will have them moved across and customers will be notified accordingly.

As summer progresses and international travel restrictions ease, further airlines will move across and they will be communicated appropriately. Passengers can also keep an eye on the airport’s social media channels for the latest advice, guidance and information.

Retail, Food and Drink

World Duty Free Express opened in Departures over the weekend, offering customers a quick and easy way to buy World Duty Free’s most popular products. The main World Duty Free unit, which has been operating since the new terminal opened its doors, remains available for those wishing to browse the full selection of the brand’s stock.

Those passing through Arrivals will also have additional choice in the near future, with Pret-a-Manger and Starbucks units due to open in early August.

The new terminal’s varied offering of bars, restaurants and shopping has been well-received by passengers thus far. Popular Manchester brands such as Archie’s and the Amber Alehouse, in partnership with Seven Bro7hers, are complemented by well-known high street names including M&S and Costa Coffee.

For more information on the options available see here.

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Five further airlines set to move into Manchester Airport's new-look Terminal Two this week

Passengers travelling to all corners of the globe will now get to experience Manchester Airport’s new “super terminal.”   The flagship facility opened to its first customers last week, with flights initially being operated by Jet.com, TUI and then Singapore Airlines.

After the success of these operations – and as travel restrictions ease from today (19th July) – the Northern gateway has confirmed the next wave of airlines that will start flying from the new state-of-the-art T2.  A series of new shops, bars and restaurants have also opened their doors for the first time, with details below.

Airline Moves

Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Brussels Airlines, airBaltic and Ethiopian Airlines to move this week after successful launches from Jet2.com, TUI and Singapore Airlines

The Terminal Two extension opened to the public on 14th July with Jet2.com as the first airline. This was swiftly followed by TUI operating from there on 15th July.

Singapore Airlines followed next, moving over on Saturday, the next airlines to move will be Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways and Brussels Airlines tomorrow on 20th July. airBaltic will then go over on 21st July, followed by Ethiopian Airlines on 22nd July.

Manchester Airport’s new Terminal Two extension to open for first passengers this week

Passengers arriving or departing at Manchester Airport this Wednesday will have the chance to pass through the new Terminal Two extension, which the airport confirmed will commence normal operations this week.

Jet2 and TUI flights will operate from the facility initially, with others to follow in the weeks ahead, as the Government’s policy for double-vaccinated passengers comes into play.  The extended terminal is the centrepiece of MAG’s £1bn Manchester Airport Transformation Programme (MAN-TP), which was first announced in 2015.

It was scheduled to open in the summer of 2020, but this was put on hold after the coronavirus pandemic ground international travel to a halt. To ensure the smoothest possible opening when flying resumes in earnest, MAG has agreed a staggered launch of the terminal with its airline partners. It will see Jet2 start flying from there from 14th July, with just three flights on the first day – to Menorca, Ibiza and Palma de Mallorca.

The terminal extension includes:

Bright and modern check-in hall

Security hall with the latest technology

Eye-catching departure lounge with a wide variety of shops, bars and restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets

New arrivals experience with spacious immigration hall, providing a warm welcome to Manchester

TUI will operate flights from the terminal from 15th July, with services to a range of destinations including green-listed Malta and Madeira. Singapore Airlines will move over on the 17th.

With the Government set to update its red, amber and green lists on the 15th – coupled with the amber list exemption for double vaccinated passengers from 19th July – further announcements about new flights from Terminal 2 will follow over the coming weeks.

That will see more airlines move across and more retailers and food and beverage outlets confirm their launch dates.

Manchester Airports Group boss slates UK Government over opening up air travel

On Friday the UK Government announced a restart to international travel by lifting the ban from 17th May. Rather than welcoming the news that it would no longer be illegal to travel overseas for leisure purposes, the boss of the Manchester Airports Group - which owns East Midlands, Manchester and London Stansted airports, continued to attack the government.

Charlie Cornish said it was disappointing that "so few countries on the initial green list." of safe countries to visit and moaned that Grant Shapps the Transport Secretary "does not allow for a broader restart of international travel." 

UK’s largest airport group calls for roadmap to restriction-free travel

The UK’s largest airport group, Manchester Airports Group (MAG), has responded to yesterday’s update from the Prime Minister regarding the restart of international travel. While welcoming moves towards a risk-based approach to reopening the sector, the group has expressed significant disappointment at an apparent lack of any provision for a return to restriction-free travel when conditions allow.

MAG owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports, handling over 60m passengers per year prior to the pandemic.

A MAG spokesperson said:   “MAG welcomes the government’s desire to see international travel resume as soon as possible, and that it is still working hard to make 17 May the day when people can begin travelling overseas again.

“Throughout this crisis, the travel industry has recognised the need for measures to prevent the spread of the virus, and to respond to the emergence of new variants of concern, both in the UK and abroad. 

Manchester Airport's Community Trust Fund Supports 18 Local Organisations With More Than £30,000

The northern hub has pledged donations worth £31,898.96 to 18 organisations as part of its Community Trust Fund’s latest quarterly meeting

Funds provided by Manchester Airport are topped up by noise fines levied on airlines

Beneficiaries include four cricket clubs, local scouts and sea cadets and a bagpipe band

Manchester Airport’s Community Trust Fund is helping 18 organisations in Greater Manchester and Cheshire, with donations worth more than £30,000 to a variety of community-led schemes.

The Community Trust Fund, founded in 1997, receives £100k of funding annually from the northern hub, topped up with money raised by fines levied on airlines which break noise limits.

In its latest round of funding, a total of £31,898.96 was pledged to 18 organisations for use on projects as varied as the recommissioning of a boat for a local Sea Cadet group, the creation of an allotment and sports equipment for basketball and cricket clubs.

Among those to benefit are the Agricultural and Rural Centre (ARC), based in Stockport. They were granted £534.56 towards the improvement and development of a tool storage room.

The ARC’s Charlotte Robinson explained; “This tool room will be an important focal point for the users and volunteers to have the opportunity to develop their social skills, gain friendships and to have access to building and construction materials.

Manchester Airport moves all operations into Terminal One

Airport operations consolidate into Terminal One from Wednesday 11 November, with Terminal Three to close

Move follows previous consolidation into two terminals on September 2, when Terminal Two was closed

Passengers advised to check Government advice and speak to airlines for specific flight queries

Retail closures with only essential stores open

Parking and refund advice included

With England returning to a national lockdown for a minimum period of four weeks from Thursday 5 November, Manchester Airport is moving all its operations into Terminal One in response to the drop in passenger numbers. The airport is also issuing the latest advice for any passengers who still need to fly on what to expect when using the airport.

All flights to operate from Terminal One

In response to a ban on international travel that forms part of the Government’s current lockdown measures, Manchester Airport is preparing for a significant decrease in customers over the coming weeks.

Manchester Airports Group sees potential job losses on the horizon - talks with unions to start - nearly 900 jobs in the balance

MAG, the UK’s largest airport group, has confirmed it will begin discussions with unions on proposals to reduce employee costs in response to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

This follows a 90% reduction in demand for travel through MAG airports since March, compared with the previous year. Aviation has been one of the hardest hit sectors of the economy and MAG’s current monthly demand is still 75% below normal levels.

In recent weeks, the prospects for a strong recovery over the next 12 months have declined as the virus has re-emerged across the UK and Europe. Meanwhile, the absence of dedicated support for the aviation sector, coupled with a lack of progress in introducing testing for UK passengers to date, has continued to undermine consumer confidence in air travel for next year. Overall passenger demand is not expected to recover fully before 2023-24.

Charlie Cornish, the CEO of 3 major UK airports attacks the UK Government, claiming its inaction is damaging airports

Charlie Cornish, the CEO  of The Manchester Airport Group, which runs 3 major UK airports has launched an attack on the UK Government claiming political inaction is damaging airports.

The boss of MAG which controls Manchester Airport, London Stansted Airport and East Midlands Airport, calls for an end to “sluggish, illogical and chaotic” approach to quarantine and safe travel corridors. As passenger numbers, this Bank Holiday weekend are expected to be less than a third of volumes seen last year, Cornish writes about his worries and concerns: 

This time last year, airports across the UK were gearing up for what is usually one of their busiest days of the year.

At London Stansted, more than 280,000 passengers passed through its terminal in just one weekend.

This year, the figure will be less than a third of that.

The impact of Covid-19 – and quarantine restrictions - on the travel industry is clear for all to see.

It is evident in the tens of thousands of job losses that have already been announced and the millions of holidays already cancelled.,

If reports are to be believed, our government was due to debate taking a more realistic and passenger-friendly approach to quarantine decisions on Monday at its Covid Committee. But this meeting didn’t happen, and we hear it’s now due to happen today. It’s not the first time a critical decision in this area has been put off, with no credible explanation for the delay.

More airlines and flights returning to Manchester Airport

As Manchester Airport is now in what normally be ones of its busiest months of the year, the Northern hub is updating customers on its latest developments, with more airlines and more routes restarting services. 

Each week more and more flights resume from Manchester and following the recent change to travel to Spain, passengers are reminded to check the latest Government information regarding travel corridors: www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors

In addition to the scores of the flights that have already re-started, this week sees the return of:

easyJet:

Kefalonia
Funchal
Olbia
Tivat

Aegean Airlines:

Athens

TAP Air Portugal:

Lisbon

TUI:

Bodrum
Chania
Skiathos
Santorini

Manchester-Belfast City Airport route starts from 14 September

Stobart Air to operate up to 4 daily return flights from Manchester to Belfast City

It has been confirmed that Stobart Air, operating as Aer Lingus Regional, will base five ATR72-600 aircraft at Belfast City Airport and the airline will operate up to 4 daily return flights from Manchester Airport to Belfast City Airport with fares starting from £29.99 one way including taxes.

Aer Lingus Regional, operated by Stobart Air, operates three routes from Manchester including Dublin, Cork and now Belfast City.

Stobart Air, following guidance from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), has implemented a number of enhanced health and safety measures to protect staff, crew and passengers. New measures include:

The key things you need to know about Manchester Airport this week

As flights increase, and more airlines resume services, Manchester Airport continues to keep passengers safe as they travel through the Northern hub. Here is the latest information and advice from the airport to make your journey as seamless, safe and easy as possible.

Travel Corridors:

Manchester Airport welcomed the announcement at the weekend from the UK Government, which allows people to fly to more than 55 countries without the need for quarantining on return to England.

The Northern hub flies to a great deal of these destinations, giving those passengers across the airport’s catchment area who want to fly, the chance to do so safely. The change comes into effect from 10th July and the full list of countries included can be found here: www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors

It is also important to take account of the latest Foreign and Commonwealth Travel advice relating to any restrictions in your destination. This can be found here https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice

Emirates resumes flights for passengers from Manchester Airport

 Emirates has resumed flights for passengers between Manchester Airport (MAN) and Dubai International Airport (DXB), reconnecting people and businesses in the North of England to 30 destinations currently on Emirates’ growing network. Flight EK017 touched down carrying both passengers and cargo at 11.42 BST ahead of its return to Dubai at 14:05 (BST).

The twice weekly Boeing 777-300ER flights to MAN will operate every Wednesday and Sunday, with the inbound flight departing DXB at 7:20 (GST) and arriving in MAN at 12:00 (BST). The outbound flight will depart MAN at 14:05 (BST) and arrive in DXB at 00:20 (GST) the following day. The resumption of flights from Manchester makes the airport the second Emirates UK gateway to reopen, alongside London Heathrow.

Eastern Airways Resumes Manchester Airport - Southampton Service

The UK regional airline, Eastern Airways, has confirmed it will restart routes from Manchester Airport this month - initially connecting the airport with the South coast with service to Southampton from 22^nd June.

Photo Eastern Airlines

From Monday 22^nd June, an initial daily weekday service to Southampton will be the first to be resumed. The frequency of services will be increased as appropriate through July, August and September to help restore the business and leisure connections to help the economic recovery of the North-West.

Following the demise of Flybe, Eastern Airways quickly stepped in to protect regional connectivity to Southampton on an expanding network prior to the Covid-19 travel restrictions. As restrictions begin to ease, services will be carefully re-introduced with extensive cleaning measures on-board and throughout all aspects of the airport. The safety of all customers in addition to all staff will be paramount throughout the journey including airports and on-board the aircraft.

Manchester Airport’s Community Trust Fund awards grants to five Wythenshawe groups to support Covid-19 relief efforts

Five grassroots organisations in Wythenshawe have been awarded grants to support Covid-19 relief efforts by the Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund.

The Fund announced a special round of applications in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and received scores of applications from within a 10 mile radius of the Airport.

Now, trustees have awarded funds to 15 organisations – one-third of which are in neighbouring Wythenshawe.

Barnardos Wythenshawe Centre and the Church of England, Wythenshawe received £2,000 each towards activity packs and other bespoke support for those impacted by lockdown.

Airport boss criticises UK government

Manchester Airports Group MAG owns and operates East Midlands, Manchester and London Stansted Airports

In response to the UK Government' announcement on quarantine measures, the CEO of MAG took a swipe at the decision saying it would be a brick wall to the nation's recovery.

Charlie Cornish is currently consulting with staff and unions at the airport group over staff reductions following on from enforced annual leave, reduced working hours, pay cuts and many of those temporary lay-offs will become permanent.  Current estimations at the groups East Midlands airport is that one-third of staff will lose their jobs completely.  

Cornish doesn't see much help from the government,  "For as long as it lasts, a blanket quarantine policy will be a brick wall to the recovery of the UK aviation and tourism industries, with huge consequences for UK jobs and GDP."

Masks and gloves are now needed by passengers at Manchester

Masks and gloves are now needed by passengers at Manchester Airport, either arriving or departing, the airport has confirmed this week.  

The move is, according to the airport, designed to demonstrate one way in which air travel can be made safe if passenger numbers start to grow in the near future.  The new guidance comes from the airport’s owner, Manchester Airports Group - MAG, as part of a wider pilot of measures aimed at working towards a new standard for safe international travel.

MAG is bringing in the same drastic demands at all three of its UK airports, Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands. The airports will encourage passengers to bring their own gloves and face coverings/masks to the airport,  although. in the early stages of the pilot, for those arriving without, the airport will provide gloves and masks that can be worn throughout passengers’ time in the airport.

All flights are currently operating from Terminal One at Manchester and dedicated stations are in place to provide gloves and masks in both arrivals and departure areas.

MAG says the requirement is designed to ensure passengers currently passing through its airports feel safer and more confident about flying.  Although, in practice, it may worry passengers further about using the airport's facilities. Some customers on social media have criticized the introduction of the new rules saying it is at least five weeks too late.