Lois Larson
Manchester Airport and Gatwick Airport are two of the largest and busiest airports in the UK. Heathrow Airport in London is the largest and busiest airport in the UK, with Gatwick and Manchester following closely behind. In 2019, Gatwick handled 46.6 million passengers and Manchester handled 30 million passengers, making Gatwick the second busiest airport in the UK. However, during the COVID-19 lockdowns, Manchester overtook Gatwick as the UK's second busiest airport. Manchester Airport covers an area of 560 hectares (1,400 acres) and has flights to 199 destinations, while Gatwick covers 674 hectares (1,670 acres).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Busiest Airport in the UK | London Heathrow |
| Second Busiest Airport in the UK | Gatwick |
| Third Busiest Airport in the UK | Manchester |
| Manchester Airport Area | 560 hectares or 1,400 acres |
| Gatwick Airport Area | 674 hectares or 1,670 acres |
| Manchester Airport Passenger Volume | 23.3 million |
| Gatwick Airport Passenger Volume | 46.6 million |
| Manchester Airport Terminals | 3 |
| Gatwick Airport Terminals | 2 |
| Manchester Airport Destinations | 199 |
| Gatwick Airport Destinations | 219 |
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What You'll Learn
Manchester Airport covers 560 hectares (1,400 acres) of land
Manchester Airport covers 560 hectares or 1,400 acres of land. It is one of the largest airports in the UK, serving as the main international gateway for the north of England. It is also the largest regional airport in the UK. The airport, located within a 20-minute drive from central Manchester, is conveniently laid out, with its three terminals linked closely together. This allows for easy access when transferring between terminals.
Manchester Airport is a major international airport, with flights to 199 destinations worldwide, making it thirteenth globally for total destinations served. It serves more than 100 airlines, connecting 225 destinations, and features two 3,048-metre parallel runways, a world freight terminal, 46 air bridges, and 254 check-in desks.
The airport is officially owned by the Manchester Airports Group (MAG), which also acts as the operator. It has generated 19,000 direct jobs on-site and 42,500 jobs in the north-west of England. Manchester Airport has impressive facilities and a wide range of destinations, contributing to its status as one of the largest and busiest airports in the UK.
While Manchester Airport is indeed large, it is not the biggest in the UK. London's Heathrow Airport is significantly bigger, covering 3,031 acres of land. Gatwick Airport, the second-largest of the main London airports, is also larger than Manchester, spanning 1,670 acres.
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Gatwick is the second-largest London airport
Gatwick Airport, located about 48 km from London, is the second-largest airport in London. It is also the second busiest airport in the United Kingdom in terms of passenger traffic. In 2013, it handled over 24 million passengers, while in 2019, it handled 46.6 million passengers. Gatwick Airport covers a total area of 674 hectares or 1,670 acres. The airport serves 45 airlines, connecting 197 international destinations in 90 countries, as well as 12 domestic destinations. It features 346 check-in desks and 115 aircraft stands. Gatwick Airport is owned by Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) and operated by Gatwick Airport Limited (GAL).
Gatwick Airport is a major international airport and one of London's six significant commercial airports. It is a crucial aviation hub, contributing approximately £2 billion in revenue to the economy of London and the South East annually. The airport has a wide range of facilities and services to accommodate its passengers and employees. Gatwick is known for its efficient security measures and convenient terminal layout.
Gatwick Airport has excellent transport connections to and from Central London. It is accessible by train, with Gatwick Express and Thameslink services running frequently between the airport and London Victoria or London Bridge stations. The airport is also well-connected by road, with easy access to the M23 and M25 motorways, providing convenient travel options for passengers and employees.
While Heathrow Airport remains the largest and busiest airport in London and the UK, Gatwick Airport holds a prominent position as the second-largest London airport. Its size, passenger volume, and economic impact contribute to its significance in the aviation industry.
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Manchester Airport has 3 linked passenger terminals
Manchester Airport has three linked passenger terminals. Terminals 1 and 2 are linked by the skylink, with travelators to help passengers with the 5- to 15-minute walk. Terminal 3 is linked to Terminal 1 and the skylink by a covered walkway. Terminal 3 is the smallest of the three terminals, with fewer shopping facilities, but it is easily accessible from Terminal 1. Terminal 1 is the second-largest terminal at the airport and was opened in 1962 by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. It is spread over an area of 110,000 square metres (1,200,000 square feet) and has two piers with a combined 29 stands, 15 of which have air bridges. Terminal 2 received a major extension in 2021 to include previously remote stands to the west, adding 12 to 15 covered aircraft stands. Terminal 2 is now the most developed terminal, with new piers, a larger security hall, and more outlets.
The three terminals are conveniently located close to one another, allowing for easy access when transferring. Transferring between Terminal 2 and Terminals 1 or 3 should take no more than 5 to 15 minutes, with moving walkways throughout the terminal buildings. Manchester Airport's official short-stay car parking can be found in the multi-storey car parks adjacent to all three terminals. In 2018, the airport introduced a ''No Waiting' restriction on all access roads surrounding the terminals, along with a fee for vehicles dropping off passengers.
Terminal 3 at Manchester Airport offers a range of facilities and services for travellers. It has a variety of cafés and restaurants, including Costa, Bar 08, and Delice de France, serving hot, cold, and alcoholic drinks. There are currency exchange desks on both sides of security control in arrivals and departures, as well as a selection of shops and refreshment options. Terminal 3 is divided over two floors, with the ground floor serving as the arrivals area and the first floor for check-in and departures.
While Manchester Airport has three linked passenger terminals, it also has a cargo terminal. A £1.3 billion redevelopment programme is planned to merge Terminals 1 and 2 in 2025. Manchester Airport, also known as Ringway Airport, is located 7 miles (11 km) southwest of Manchester city centre. It is one of the largest and busiest airports in the UK, serving 30.9 million passengers in 2024 and offering flights to 199 destinations worldwide.
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Gatwick handled 46.6 million passengers in 2019
Gatwick Airport, located in London, is one of the largest airports in the UK. In 2019, the airport handled 46.6 million passengers and 283,000 aircraft movements. This made Gatwick the second busiest airport in the UK in terms of passenger traffic, only surpassed by London Heathrow, which handled over 80 million passengers in 2019. Gatwick's high passenger volume can be attributed to its role as a major aviation hub, serving both international and domestic destinations.
Gatwick's position as a key airport in the UK is further emphasised by its ranking as the 36th busiest airport in Europe by total passenger traffic in 2021. The airport covers a vast area of 674 hectares or 1,670 acres. Gatwick's three terminals cater to a wide range of airlines and destinations, contributing to its high passenger volume.
While Manchester Airport is also a significant aviation hub in the UK, it handled less than 30 million passengers in 2019, placing it as the third busiest airport in the country at that time. However, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered airport traffic across the UK. Manchester Airport experienced a notable increase in attention during the pandemic, overtaking Gatwick as the UK's second busiest airport.
The shift in airport traffic can be attributed to various factors, including the suspension or reduction of services by major airlines at Gatwick, such as British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Manchester Airport's ability to retain a higher number of flights and its convenient terminal layout may have contributed to its rise in passenger numbers relative to Gatwick during this period.
In summary, Gatwick's handling of 46.6 million passengers in 2019 underscores its significant role in UK aviation. The airport's large passenger volume contributes to its ranking as one of the busiest airports in the country and Europe. However, the dynamic nature of the aviation industry, influenced by factors like the pandemic, has led to fluctuations in airport traffic, with Manchester Airport emerging as a strong competitor to Gatwick in recent years.
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Manchester Airport is the fourth-busiest airport in the UK
Manchester Airport is one of the largest and busiest in the UK. It has three linked passenger terminals that are used by a variety of international and domestic airlines. The first two terminals are used by airlines flying to European and worldwide destinations, while Terminal 3 is reserved for domestic routes. Manchester Airport is a major international airport, located around eight miles south of Manchester city centre. It is the second-largest city in the UK and is the main international gateway for the north of England.
Manchester Airport has flights to 199 destinations, placing it thirteenth globally for total destinations served. It serves more than 100 airlines and connects 225 destinations worldwide. The airport features two 3,048-metre parallel runways, three passenger terminals, a world freight terminal, 46 air bridges and 254 check-in desks. Manchester Airport also has impressive facilities and a wide range of destinations, making it a convenient and popular choice for travellers.
In recent years, Manchester Airport has seen significant growth and attention, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the various lockdowns, Manchester Airport retained its position as the UK's second busiest airport, operating double the number of flights that Gatwick was managing. This was due to some of Gatwick's biggest airlines pausing or exiting the airport, while Manchester Airport continued to grow and expand its services.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Manchester Airport is not bigger than Gatwick. Gatwick is the second-largest airport in the UK, after Heathrow. Manchester Airport is the fourth-busiest airport in the UK.
Manchester Airport has three linked passenger terminals. The first two terminals are used for international flights, and Terminal 3 is reserved for domestic routes.
Manchester Airport welcomed 23,364,471 passengers in 2022.
Manchester Airport serves more than 100 airlines and connects 225 destinations worldwide.
