The airport said the change will ease congestion
Manchester Airport has announced changes to Terminal 2 taxi drop-offs (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
Manchester Airport has made changes to drop off locations for private hire vehicles including taxis for Terminal 2. Passengers arriving at the airport in one of these will now be dropped off in the Lower T2 Drop-Off Forecourt instead of the Upper Forecourt.
They will then have to get a lift or use the escalators up to the departure hall. The changes came into effect on Monday, November 17.
The changes affect concession holders, drivers of private hire vehicles and taxis who obtain a 40 per cent discount for airport drop offs by paying a small annual fee. Correspondence sent out to concession holders stated that they will no longer receive the discount for the Upper Forecourt.
The lower forecourt does have a height restriction of 2m, which means taller vehicles such as minibuses and some MPVs (people carriers), will not be able to drop off in this area. These drivers will have to use the T2 Over Height Car Park instead.
After being dropped off passengers will then need to get a lift or use the escalators to go up to departures (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
There are some concerns from the private hire industry that the changes could cause congestion during busy periods, while passengers being dropped off in the over-height car park may find a long walk frustrating.
DM News, a website specialising in private hire vehicles, said: “Moving concession users downstairs could add extra time during peak traffic, particularly during early morning holiday departures when congestion is already heavy.
“The height restriction will also create issues for XL and minibus operators. These drivers will now need to divert into the Over Height Car Park – adding extra walking distance for passengers, which may frustrate families with luggage or those on tight schedules.”
The changes have been made to ease congestion at Terminal 2 and Manchester Airport expects them to have minimum impact on passengers. A Manchester Airport spokesperson said: “The changes to drop off arrangements at Terminal 2 will ease congestion during busy periods.
“The Overheight car park is a convenient alternative for taller vehicles. It is right outside the terminal entrance and passengers can use the lifts or escalators to get to departures.”
The changes come as Manchester Airport’s £1.3billion transformation project nears completion (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
The changes come as Manchester Airport nears the end of its £1.3billion transformation project, which will see Terminal 1 close and Terminal 2 become the ‘beating heart’ of the airport, with more than 75 per cent of the airport’s passengers using it.
In recent weeks several airlines have moved their operations from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2, with Etihad, Emirates and easyJet among the latest to make the move.
A multi-million pound upgrade of Terminal 3 is already underway, with space from the closure of Terminal 1 used to expand the Terminal. Some parts are due to open early next year, including a new sports bar, Sporting Chance.
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