Manchester Airport won approval for a second runway. It was widely hailed as the flagship development for the north west’s business community. It is seen as a catalyst for inward investment, exports and tourism in the region and a confirmation of Manchester’s claim to be the north of England’s capital. The new runway is expected to double passenger numbers to 30m by 2005.
It is part of a package of investment that is already underway. The airport spent £265m on a new terminal which opened in 1993. It is investing another £96m refurbishing its existing terminal one. This includes a £7.5m “superhub”, or rapid transfer facility, which opened in September.
Although the airport has won government support it faces enormous opposition from local residents MPS and environmental groups.
- Financial Times 16/01/97 page 7, page 27 (leader), page 28
- The Times 16/01/97 page 2
- The Guardian 16/01/97 page 10
