Manchester Airport, is an international airport in Ringway, Manchester, England.
In 2014, it was the third busiest airport in the United Kingdom in terms of passenger numbers, and the
22nd busiest airport in Europe. Manchester Airport is the largest outside the London region with over double the
passengers of the next non-London airport, Edinburgh Airport. A Category 10 airport, Manchester Airport provides
flights to around 225 destinations – more than any other airport in the United Kingdom. The airport comprises
three terminals, a goods terminal and is the only British airport other than London's Heathrow Airport to operate
two runways over 3,280 yd (2,999 m) in length. The airport covers an area of 1,440 acres.
The terminals are 7.5 nautical miles (13.9 km; 8.6 mi) south west of Manchester city centre. It officially opened on 25 June
1938 and was initially known as "Ringway Airport". During World War II, it was called RAF Ringway, as a base for the Royal Air Force, and from
1975 until 1986, "Manchester International Airport". The airport is owned and managed by the Manchester Airports Group (MAG), a holding company
owned by the Australian finance house IFM Investors and the ten metropolitan borough councils of Greater Manchester, with the Manchester City
Council owning the largest stake.
The airport regularly handled the supersonic transport Concorde and houses the British Airways G-BOAC flagship Concorde at the Manchester
Runway Visitor Park. Ringway, which the airport was named after, still exists as a village with a few buildings and church at the southern
edge of the airport. The airport currently handles 20.8 million passengers annually (2013) and spare capacity exists for up to 50 million
passengers annually. However, this potential figure is limited by aircraft movements. The airport currently has a total maximum capacity
of 61 aircraft movements per hour. Vacant land exists for expansion, future developments include the £800 million Manchester Airport City
scheme aims to create logistics, manufacturing, office and hotel space adjacent to the airport. Ongoing transport improvements include a new
fourth railway platform which is currently under construction; future plans include a dedicated ten kilometre relief road (SEMMMS) and a High
Speed 2 station.
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