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The departure lounge at Terminal 2 has been lit up red ahead of United fans flying out to Bilbao(Image: Manchester Airport)<\/p>\nMore than 30 charter flights will carry supporters for the Europa League finalThe departure lounge at Terminal 2 has been lit up red ahead of United fans flying out to Bilbao(Image: Manchester Airport)<\/p>\n
Part of Manchester Airport has been lit up in United red as thousands of fans prepare for the Europa League final.<\/p>\n
Ruben Amirom’s side face Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday (May 21), hoping to salvage a poor domestic season with a European trophy and a place in next year’s Champions League.<\/p>\n
More than 30 charter flights are set to depart Manchester Airport<\/a> for Bilbao, in northern Spain, to take fans to the host city for the match on Tuesday and Wednesday.<\/p>\n As the airport prepares to welcome United fans in their droves, the honeycomb light feature in Terminal 2 is bathing the departures lounge in red.<\/p>\n Jennifer Byrne-Smith, customer operations director at Manchester Airport, said: \u201cWe\u2019re proud to connect Manchester to the world and look forward to welcoming thousands of Manchester United to our airport this week. It\u2019s wonderful to see them competing in a major European final once again.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re working closely with partners including the football club, airlines and Greater Manchester Police<\/a> to ensure fans get their trip off to the best possible start, and hopefully the team can bring the trophy home with them.”<\/p>\n Manchester Airport has issued United fans with key travel advice ahead of the next few days.<\/p>\n It says supporters should allow plenty of time for their journey to the airport, ensure they have their documents prepared and hand luggage packed in accordance with security rules, and have plans in place for return journeys.<\/p>\n Ms Byrne-Smith added: \u201cPlease allow plenty of time for your journey to the airport, keep an eye on service updates if you are travelling here via public transport, check which terminal you\u2019re travelling from and arrive here at the earliest time your airline recommends.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re aware that many fans will only be staying one or two days, so will, in many cases, only take hand luggage. It\u2019s important you make sure that your hand luggage complies with the 100ml rule on liquids, gels and pastes, to avoid any issues at security.<\/p>\n \u201cMany of the return charter flights from Bilbao will arrive back in the small hours of Thursday \u2013 if this includes your flight, please ensure you\u2019ve made plans for how you\u2019ll get home.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you\u2019re being dropped off at the airport, you can use our new barrierless drop off areas \u2013 these make the experience faster and more seamless \u2013 just remember to pay for using the area online or over the phone by midnight the following day. Free drop-off is also available at JetParks1, with a short bus shuttle to all three terminals.\u201d<\/p>\n —<\/p>\n Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it.<\/p>\n That’s why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable<\/strong>, highlighting the best of what we do – bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don’t miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North.<\/strong> You can also <\/strong>sign up for that here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here<\/strong><\/a> to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street.<\/p>\n If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here,<\/strong><\/a> and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you’ll be the first to hear about it.<\/p>\n