Manchester Airport Guide
Manchester Airport sits in Ringway, 14.6 km by road south-west of Manchester city centre, and serves Greater Manchester and the wider North of England. It is the UK's third-busiest airport and the busiest outside London, handling 30.8 million passengers in 2024 and a record 32.1 million in 2025.
The airport opened on 25 June 1938 and has two parallel runways. A £1.3 billion redevelopment of Terminal 2 was completed in 2025, and approximately 75% of passengers now use it, including long-haul and short-haul airlines such as easyJet, Jet2, Virgin Atlantic and Emirates. Terminal 1 closed in late 2025, and Ryanair operates from Terminal 3. The airport serves 199 destinations.
Manchester Airports Group (MAG) operates the airport. MAG is owned by the ten Greater Manchester metropolitan borough councils, which hold 64.5%, and by IFM Investors, which holds the remaining 35.5%. Manchester Airport railway station and the Metrolink tram network both serve the airport.
Services
5 of 6 availableCompare 37 listed options at Manchester Airport, spanning parking, car rentals, lounges, hotels and shuttles. Each guide sets out locations, distance from the airport, key features and links to book direct, so you can weigh cost against convenience before you fly. Select a service below to see every provider we track for Manchester Airport.
Location
Key facts
- Size
- 31M passengers (2024)2 runwaysopened 1938
- Location
- 53.349, -2.280
- Operator
- Manchester Airports Group (MAG)
Terminals
2 terminalsManchester Airport has 2 passenger terminals — Terminal 2 and Terminal 3, handling both international and domestic flights for around 11 airlines. Check which terminal your airline uses before you travel, as check-in, security and boarding points differ between them, and moving from one to another can take time.
- Terminal 2Mixed
easyJet, Jet2, TUI Airways, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Aer Lingus, Lufthansa
- Terminal 3Mixed
Ryanair
Nearby cities
4 citiesManchester Airport is closest to Manchester (14.6 km northeast), and also serves Liverpool, Sheffield and other nearby areas. With 4 towns and cities within reach, it is a practical gateway for the wider region. Distances shown are straight-line from the airport, so allow extra time for road transfers, traffic and parking.
- Manchester14.6 km northeast
- Liverpool57 km west
- Sheffield70 km east
- Leeds91 km northeast
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the airport codes for Manchester Airport?
What are the airport codes for Manchester Airport?
Where is Manchester Airport located?
Where is Manchester Airport located?
What services are available at Manchester Airport?
What services are available at Manchester Airport?
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