Manchester airport - Further Information

History of Manchester Airport

Today, Manchester Airport is one of Britain's, and the world's, principal airports. Handling millions of passengers each year, Manchester Airport connects the North of England with global destinations. Still growing, Manchester Airport has an exciting and promising future, but it has an equally illustrious past which began in 1928.

Prior to that date Manchester had seen plenty of air activity, starting in 1910 when Louis Paulhan landed his Farman biplane in a field near Burnage, claiming the £10,000 Daily Mail prize as the first man to fly from London to Manchester.

Various short-lived aerodromes sprang up in and around Manchester, and in 1919 Britain's first ever scheduled air service commenced from a private airfield in Manchester, flying to Birkdale Sands in Southport then on to South Shore, Blackpool.

However Manchester still had no permanent airport. In 1926 some far- seeing city fathers realised that unless Manchester had a permanent airport the city would suffer commercially. They agitated for the establishment of a more permanent airport, and as a result of their efforts the first Manchester Airport was built leading to Manchester Airport as we know it today.

The Manchester Airport Police

A subdivision of the Greater Manchester Police is located at Manchester Airport in order to provide security and protection for visitors, passengers and workers at Manchester Airport.

The role of the Police at the Airport is to preserve aviation security; to co-ordinate the emergency services response to critical incidents; to prevent crime; to bring all offenders to justice; to keep the peace; and to protect, help and reassure the Manchester Airport community.

If you need to contact the Greater Manchester Police you can write to:

Superintendent Burgess
Manchester Airport Police Station
Manchester Airport,
M90 1NN

General enquiries
Phone: +44 (0)161 856 0250
Fax: +44 (0)161 856 0206
Email: contact_us@airportpolice-manair.co.uk
Remember if there is an emergency always use 999 the above numbers are for general enquiries only.

Airport Smoking Policy

Manchester Airport operates a restricted smoking policy. Smoking is only permitted in designated areas which are clearly marked. The following areas have designated smoking zones:

All catering facilities have designated smoking areas which are clearly marked.

All Baggage Reclaim Halls are non-smoking areas.

Terminal 1:
Concourse, Meridian Food Court, Departures Lounge, Gates 24 & 28 Pier C, and Café Select in Arrivals.

Terminal 2:
Concourse, Gates 201, 205, 208, 209, 211, 215 and Arrivals.

Terminal 3:
Lower Lounge.