{"id":624568,"date":"2025-12-10T16:40:22","date_gmt":"2025-12-10T16:40:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/624568\/"},"modified":"2025-12-10T16:40:22","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T16:40:22","slug":"manchester-airport-braces-itself-for-biggest-christmas-ever-as-busiest-travel-days-revealed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/624568\/","title":{"rendered":"Manchester Airport braces itself for ‘biggest Christmas ever’ as busiest travel days revealed"},"content":{"rendered":"

More than 1.5million passengers are expected to pass through the airport over the Christmas break\"TravelManchester Airport is preparing for its busiest Christmas on record (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n

Manchester Airport is preparing for its \u2018biggest Christmas yet\u2019 with more than 1.5million passengers due to pass through the travel hub over the Christmas<\/a> break from December 19 to January 4. This will be the airport\u2019s biggest Christmas on record.<\/p>\n

The weekends surrounding the big day itself are set to the busiest travel<\/a> days. Over 100,000 passengers are expected to fly on both Friday, December 19 and Sunday December 28, as people jet off for the festive period and for New Year.<\/p>\n

If you think it would be quiet on December 25 then think again: there will be 85 departures on Christmas day with almost 35,000 passengers expected to fly into or out of the airport. Dubai will be the most popular destination that day, with more than 1,500 people heading there.<\/p>\n

The bumper Christmas period follows the airport\u2019s busiest November on record. Last month 2.2million passengers flew into or out of the airport, a four per cent increase on the previous November record set last year. Over the course of the month 96per cent of passengers waited for 10 minutes or under to get to security and 99per cent waited for under 15 minutes.<\/p>\n

\"WhileWhile some passengers will be jetting off on holiday, the airport arrivals will be a place where loved ones reuinte over the festive period (Image: Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n

The majority of passengers this Christmas will use Manchester Airport<\/a>\u2019s brand new, \u00a31.3bn Terminal 2. Over the last few months airlines have been moving over the new facility so now all but Ryanair will operate from it.<\/a><\/p>\n

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said: \u201cChristmas is one of the most exciting times of year to work here at Manchester Airport. I love walking through arrivals, watching those special \u2018Love Actually\u2019 moments, and seeing the departure lounge full of excited faces.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the kind of thing that really epitomises what we mean when we say we\u2019re proud to connect the North to the world \u2013 when I see those scenes I feel a personal pride in the part I\u2019ve played and I know that\u2019s shared by everyone who works here. This year is set to be even busier than last, with 1.5million passengers due to fly in the two-week Christmas period. With all our work in preparation, I feel confident that they will get a great service.<\/p>\n

\"MoreMore than 1.5million passengers are expected to fly over the festive period (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)<\/p>\n

\u201cOur new Terminal 2 is almost fully open, meaning more passengers can benefit from everything it has to offer \u2013 from the extra space and the high-tech security equipment to the shopping, bars and restaurants in the departure lounge. It really is a terminal to rival any in capital cities across Europe. And people using Terminal 3 will see the first signs of change as we improve and expand that too.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course, there are always things people can do to make sure their passage through the airport is smooth \u2013 including the simple things like checking-in ahead of time and packing smart, but also things like remembering not to take wrapped presents through security. You want your presents to be opened by your loved ones, not our security staff! On behalf of all my colleagues at Manchester Airport, I\u2019d like to wish all our passengers a very happy Christmas and a brilliant 2026 \u2013 we look forward to welcoming you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tips for passengers flying during the festive season<\/p>\n