The first passengers travelled through a new terminal extension at Manchester airport today.
A Jet2 flight to Menorca was the first to take-off from the expanded Terminal Two, the centrepiece of a £1 billion airport transformation.
Work started on the transformation in 2017 and the opening was delayed by more than a year as a result of the pandemic.
Two further Jet2 flights will depart from the terminal today with Tui using the new terminal from Thursday,
The airport said: “It is hoped that further airlines will transition to operating from the new terminal in the coming weeks as demand for travel increases, with a government announcement due tomorrow on its traffic light lists for travel.”
Managing director Karen Smart said: “After a hugely challenging 16 months, we are delighted to be delivering some positive news and welcoming the first passengers into our new terminal extension.
“When we first announced our £1 billion transformation programme in 2015, we set out a vision to create state-of-the-art facilities that provided a first-class customer experience and cemented our role as the UK’s global gateway in the north.
“The impact of the pandemic on the travel industry means we are not able to immediately welcome as many customers and airlines into this fantastic new facility as we would have hoped.
“However, as government restrictions continue to be eased, and travel to more destinations is opened-up in the weeks ahead, we will be making further announcements about the carriers and retailers operating from Terminal Two.”
Jet2 chief executive Steve Heapy added: “From today all of our flights will depart and arrive from the expanded Terminal Two, with the exception of arrivals from Jersey.
“This means all Jet2.com and Jet2holidays customers get to enjoy the state-of-the-art facilities before jetting away on their much-needed flights and holidays.
“With travel restrictions easing, we have a wide choice of quarantine free destinations on sale from Manchester airport this summer, and the demand for our flights and holidays means lots of customers will be enjoying the new terminal extension this summer and beyond.”