Manchester airport History

The choice for Manchester's original civilian airport was Barton. This proved unsuitable however due to flooding causing several serious problems. As a result of this the Manchester corporation had to look elsewhere and a suitable location was found at the site of the Fairey Aviation Company at Ringway. In a few years the area had been completely transformed into a commercial airport, but with the outbreak of the Second World War Ringway was to have a significantly more important role.

During 1940 - 1945 many of Britain's paratroopers and glider pilots trained at the airfield. The well-known aircraft manufacturer AV Roe also used Ringway for setting up their aircraft production line and some of the most famous and significant aircraft of the conflict were manufactured and tested there including the first Lancaster Bomber that played such a significant role in the conflict.

At the end of hostilities and with the withdrawal of the military Manchester Airport was able to look to expand, and this occurred in 1949 with the conversion of the old parachuting school into a terminal to deal with the increasing number of passengers the airport was having to cope with.

With the increase in passengers a new and large terminal was constructed in the 1960's with the addition of 2 passenger piers. Over the next 20 years many modifications and improvements were made to Manchester Airport to keep it in line with the increasing demand that was being placed upon it.

In the 1993 a second terminal was added as well as improved transportation links such as a motorway and direct rail system giving access to passengers from further afield than Manchester Airport had been able to deal with previously with a third terminal added in 1993. Further expansions have been planned for the future to keep it in-line with modern demands as Manchester Airport continues to expand.