Manchester Airport to run prize giveaway worth up to £20,000 as part of 85th birthday celebrations

Manchester Airport turns 85 this year, and the celebrations are about to begin. The series of celebrations for the special anniversary are already underway. 

The first-ever flight from what was then known as Ringway Airport took off on June 27 1938, two days after it officially opened its doors on June 25. Since then Manchester Airport has grown to become the UK’s global gateway in the North, employing tens of thousands of people and connecting the region to nearly 200 different destinations.

At the time the airport opened, King George VI was on the throne and Neville Chamberlain was Prime Minister. A lot has happened in the 85 years since, and no doubt plenty more historic events will take place in the years to come. 

Part of the celebrations include a prize draw with free flight tickets, Concorde champagne tours, Duty Free vouchers and complimentary lounge passes worth a combined £20,000. The draw began today (June 26) with one of the prizes up for grabs being a three night stay in Las Vegas. 

Manchester Airport’s very first commercial flight operated to Amsterdam with KLM on June 27 1938. The Dutch airline still serves the same route to this day, and is offering a pair of tickets from Manchester ‘to the world’, with a transfer in Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, giving the winner a choice of more than 170 destinations for their free flight.

Turkish Airlines will also provide two free tickets to Istanbul. The airline’s direct Manchester – Istanbul service celebrates its own 30-year milestone this summer. Visitors to the city will find historic landmarks like the Hagia Sofia, a vibrant nightlife and fantastic food and drink.

Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said: “We are proud to celebrate 85 years of connecting this region to the world, and it is fantastic to be joined in marking this occasion by many of the airline partners who have helped Manchester Airport grow into the UK’s global gateway in the North.

 “Manchester Airport is already the UK’s largest airport outside London but we are intent on improving the passenger experience. Our £1.3bn Transformation Programme is due to be completed in 2025 and will give us the platform to compete with other major European airports for routes to new destinations, which will, in turn, attract inward investment to the wider region.”

To enter the prize draw, visit the Manchester Airport website.