p36 air oct24 20/10/08 18:16 Page 36
Air
Chris Gray
020 7921 8003
cgray@ttglive.com
For the latest news about flights, airlines and airports, visit
ttglive.com/air
Interview Andrew Harrison, Manchester Airports Group
Manchester ‘ready to grow’
Manchester Airports Group is about to start work on the next stage of transforming its flagship
airport. Commercial director Andrew Harrison told Lee Hayhurst what it means for the passenger
A
£75 million a year investment in moved upstairs and expanded, and there will be
physical improvements to the two more efficient technology, such as automated
terminals at Manchester airport is boarding card readers.
tackling the problems caused by “We have tried to plan it so we get security
increased security procedures. right, because that unlocks everything,” he said.
Manchester Airport Group’s commercial director Although Manchester airport has just lost
Andrew Harrison (right) said this summer, after direct British Airways routes to the US as the
a 75% increase in the number of lanes, 99% carrier focuses more of its attention on London,
of passengers got through Terminal One’s new the airport still serves 225 destinations, more
security area in less than eight minutes. than any other UK airport.
And this was just one change of many that are Harrison said it was a shame to lose BA flying
designed to address the airport’s key stress those direct routes, but revealed many other
points. Work on major structural changes is carriers were “banging our doors down”.
about to start in Terminal Two, which will con-
centrate on leisure passengers. Terminal One will
“We are focusing on
retain more of a mix of business and leisure.
“We are focusing on the consumer,” said
the consumer and
Harrison, adding that the airport was taking
spending the money
account of what is predicted to be a sharp
downturn, particularly in business travel.
on the right things,
“We are continuing to invest, but from the
not being reckless”
point of view of what we can afford.
“We are investing to make sure we are ready MAG also owns Bournemouth airport and
for the growth [in air passengers] when it comes while the work at Manchester should be
back. What we have to be clear about is spending completed by next summer, development work
the money on the right things. We are not being to increase the capacity at Bournemouth to four
reckless, but we need to get ourselves fit for million passengers a year will continue.
when the market gets going again.” MAG is investing £45 million in Bournemouth,
In developing its plans, MAG has used profiles transforming its “low-cost” feel to give it a more
of the five mindsets people have when using an planned appearance with a new departure area
airport. These comprise: big spenders, default in a single building. “It is really loved by the
spenders who buy something if it takes their people who use it because it’s small and efficient.
fancy; the hassled; those who just want to relax; We don’t want to lose that but at the same time
and those who see it as a means to an end. we want to help it grow,” he said.
“The design of the departure lounges is not all MAG has confirmed it is interested in bidding
about sell, sell, sell retail. The customer might be for Gatwick if BAA is forced to sell it, and Harrison
in a different frame of mind and we need leisure said the group believes in strong competition.
lounges and places to relax.” “We operate in a pretty competitive environ-
Terminal Two will feature designer shops, ment, but we think that’s good for us because it
including a large designer clothes store, a huge keeps us on our toes and airlines have choice.
duty free shop and new branded restaurants and “We think it’s right that in Scotland and
cafes close to the gates. The security area will be London there is going to be more competition.”
36 24.10.2008
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76