A glimpse of the 60s jet-set
Newly uncovered images from the M.E.N. archive provide a fascinating look of life at Manchester Airport in the 1960s
JETTING away to foreign climes may be just a dream at the moment as Covid-19 wreaks havoc with holiday plans. But back in the 1960s, Manchester’s Ringway Airport was gearing up for a brave new world of package tours and trips abroad.
Facilities were hugely improved - the Duke of Edinburgh opened the new terminal and control tower block in 1962 and the runway was extended in 1969.
Airline operator BEA doubled the number of seats it could offer every week and the decade was capped by the arrival of the first Jumbo Jet in August 1970.
New routes had opened up to Europe and beyond, including nonstop flights to Canada.
Investment and optimism were in the air in equal measure after postwar austerity.
It was against this background that M.E.N. photographers decided to capture every aspect of airport life in a moment in time in June 1967.
They took pictures of friends and relatives waiting at arrivals to welcome loved-ones back from foreign trips, of planes waiting on the airport apron and ground crews ready to direct passengers to their flights.
They photographed the burgeoning car parks, the ornate drop-lights in the departure halls and air hostesses on duty on the BEA Tridents bound for London and the continent.
The result is a lasting historical record of the busy terminus in 1967 – a fascinating look back at airport life before maximum security, body searches and baggage scans.
But among the holidaymakers and travellers – and in all the pictures – there is a deep sadness and realisation too.
It was just after the Stockport air crash of June 4th when a British Midland Canadair C4 Argonaut came down in a small, open area of Hopes Carr, killing 72 passengers.
The plane, chartered by Arrowsmith Holidays, was flying back from Palma, Mallorca, and circling the airport when the two starboard engines cut out.
It had already tried to land, but had called an overshoot forcing it to go round again. It was then that the engines failed, making the plane uncontrollable.
Package tours had been operating from Manchester Airport since May 25th 1955 when Air Kruise flew passengers to Ostend.
But air traffic had been growing steadily since RAF Ringway became Ringway Airport in 1946. In fact, the airport carried its millionth passenger at the end of 1954.
Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, opened the airport’s new £2.7 million terminal in 1962. It was the first in Europe to include a pier system where passengers remained under cover before boarding the aircraft.
Before that, the departure gate at Ringway was more like a doctor’s waiting room, complete with canvas chairs and the odd magazine.
Check-in was quick and rudimentary with suitcases lumped straight on to a set of weighing scales. Duty-free retail opportunities were scarce.
By the early 1960s, British
European Airways (BEA) were dominating the most lucrative of the UK’s internal routes – and going head to head with British Rail for business.
From 1960 to 1966, BEA increased its Manchester to London flights from 50 per week to 68. Using bigger aircraft meant passenger numbers doubled from 3,500 to 7,750.
The flight cost was £6. 13s. 0d one way including the coach fare. A return ticket was £9. 14s 0d. In comparison, a second class return train fare from Manchester to London was £5. 0s. 0d.
Of course, you could always travel in style on the British Rail first class sleeper service for the single fare of £5. 4s. 9d.
In 1969, the runway was extended to 2,745 metres, allowing fully laden aircraft to fly non-stop to Canada. The first planes taxiing over the A538 underpass proved a novel sight!
One of the first flights to Canada was enjoyed by 28 staff from the Commonwealth Curtain Company of Kirkby in July 1967. Their weeklong trip consisted of training at a sister plant and a little sightseeing too.
Our photo shows them waving goodbye to other members of the factory before boarding their BOAC flight.
● Readers can revel in the past 150 years with a brilliant anniversary book from the M.E.N. and local publishers iNostalgia. The Changing Face of Manchester: Second Edition is packed with past images of Manchester contrasted with modern photos of how the same scenes look now. The book retails at £14.99, with all postage and packing paid. Just go to inostalgia. co.uk to place your order or telephone the order hotline on 01928 503777.