Manchester Airport Guide
Manchester Airport sits 14.6 km south-west of Manchester city centre in Ringway, serving the Greater Manchester conurbation and a broad catchment that extends to Yorkshire, the North West, and North Wales. It is the UK's third-busiest airport and the busiest outside London, handling 30.8 million passengers in 2024 across two active passenger terminals.
The airport opened on 25 June 1938 and has grown into one of Europe's significant long-haul gateways outside the capital. A £1.3 billion redevelopment completed in 2025 transformed Terminal 2 into a major hub now used by approximately 75% of passengers, including all long-haul carriers. Ryanair operates from Terminal 3 following Terminal 1's closure in late 2025. The airport has two parallel runways and connects passengers to 199 destinations worldwide.
Manchester Airports Group (MAG), owned by the ten Greater Manchester metropolitan borough councils, operates the airport. The airport has direct rail access via the Metrolink tram network and a dedicated rail station served by TransPennine Express and Northern services, giving it one of the strongest public transport connections of any UK regional airport.
Services
5 of 6 availableCompare 39 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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