Youth centres under threat
MANCHESTER Airport is set for a record-breaking Easter weekend with more than 320,000 passengers expected to pass through the airport between today and Monday.
Dubai, Alicante and Tenerife are among the top destinations that Brits will be heading to over the coming days.
The busy end to the month follows three consecutive record-breaking months for the airport from December to February, with March expected to follow the trend.
The weekend will kick off another busy month with projections showing 2.3million people will fly from Manchester in April, up seven per cent on 2023.
It comes just as Manchester Airport has announced a number of new routes including the addition of Shanghai with Juneyao Air - the first time the North of England has been connected directly to China’s financial capital.
New destinations have also been added across Europe ahead of the summer holiday period.
Due to the number of travellers expected, the airport has issued guidance to ensure that passengers have the smoothest experience possible.
Security waits are “expected to be short for the majority of passengers”, stating that in February no passenger waited longer than 15 minutes to get through security.
Chris Woodroofe, managing director of Manchester Airport, said: “Here at Manchester Airport we’re proud to connect the North to the world so it’s exciting that record numbers of people will be taking off from here this Easter.
“320,000 people will travel over the bank holiday weekend - that’s up 7% on April 2023.
“We want passengers to feel like they’re starting their holidays at the airport - and with queues to get to security comfortably under 15 minutes for pretty much everyone, we’re confident that will be the case for people here over the break.
“But it is important that people come prepared and ready to travel.
“If people do that it means they should get through security and into the departure lounge and enjoy the range of shops and food and drink in our terminals - including our new, award winning Terminal 2.”
Manchester Airport’s guidance for passengers is:
■ Arrive at the airport at the time suggested by your airline - this is usually two hours ahead of take-off or three for some long haul flights
■ Do not forget your passport - and make sure there are at least six months left on it before it needs renewing, otherwise you may not be able to travel
■ Do not bring items through security that could be prohibited - this adds time to security queues and will result in your belongings being confiscated and you may not be able to get them back. Commonly confiscated items include things like lighters, multi-tools and pen-knives
■ Do not bring liquids of more than 100mls to security (although there are exemptions for certain things like baby milk and medication). Any liquids under 100ml will need to be packed in a clear plastic bag
■ Be ready to remove things like jackets and belts to go through security - and make sure you can remove electronic items like laptops from any bags
■ Check traffic and public transport before you travel to the airport to make sure you are not late
THE future of six new youth centres in Manchester is in doubt after the town hall was told that government funding has been pulled.
Manchester council was told last week that there is no more money available this year with no guarantees of any funding after that.
The council’s bid worth £10m for six new youth centres across the city - including in Burnage, Withington, Chorlton, Wythenshawe, Crumpsall and Newton Heath - had progressed to the final stage. Each of the buildings were set to be run by different organisations.