The first passengers travelled through Manchester Airport's new terminal extension, marking a major milestone in the Northern gateway's 83-year history.
A Jet2.com flight to Menorca was the first to take off from the expanded Terminal Two, which is the centrepiece of the hub's?1bn Manchester Airport Transformation Programme (MAN-TP).
Work started on the transformation in 2017 and, despite a delay of more than one year to the opening as a result of the pandemic, the facility was officially opened by Manchester Airport's managing director Karen Smart and Jet2.com's general manager at Manchester Airport, Marc Burns, at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
In true Manchester Airport style passengers were treated to a range of entertainment from local bands and a DJ. Plus, a prize draw giveaway for Jet2.com flights and 1903 lounge passes.
The first passengers through the doors going to Menorca were the Thompson family from Preston, Lancashire.
Gary Thompson, the first passenger through the terminal, commented: "It was a big surprise to be the first passenger in Manchester Airport's new Terminal Two. It looks very posh, lovely and modern. We only travel once a year and have been through all the other terminals, but this new one is definitely better than anything we've seen before."
Two further Jet2.com flights will depart from the terminal on July 14 & 15, TUI passengers will join them. It is hoped that further airlines will transition to operating from the new terminal in the coming weeks as demand for travel increases, with a government announcement due tomorrow on its traffic light lists for travel.
