Watch as huge new Manchester Airport bridge is put into place as £1.3bn Terminal Two transformation continues

The refurbishment of Manchester Airport’s Terminal Two reached an important milestone this week as the link bridge was lifted into place. 

Manchester Airport has released a timelapse video of the 261-ton, two-storey bridge being installed. In total, the bridge is 90ft long and 33ft high. The bridge will link the terminal to a new “pier,” which will provide for more aircraft gates, seating and stands. The pier is still currently under construction. 

These improvements are part of a massive £1.3bn plan to overhaul and modernise the terminal. Once completed, the revamped Terminal Two will be used by around three quarters of all the airport’s passengers. 

Jill Fraser, programme delivery director for the Terminal Two refurbishment, said: “We’re delighted to mark another major milestone in the delivery of the Transformation Programme. Installing this link bridge was a massive undertaking and it was incredible to watch such a huge piece of infrastructure carefully lifted into place, precise to the millimetre.

“Millions of passengers will soon be using this bridge every year as they leave the new-look departure lounge and head towards their gate, ready to board their aircraft and jet off on their journeys. In designing the new Terminal Two, we have put detailed thought into each and every element of the passenger journey to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience from start to finish, and we can’t wait to share it with our passengers next year.”

David Hanmer, the project director of Mace, the firm overseeing the current phase of the refurbishment, said:  “We have worked closely with the Manchester Airport team, design teams and contractors to ensure the move was delivered safely and to schedule. The window to move the bridge was very tight - to ensure the minimum amount of disruption to the airport and its passengers. As you would expect, it wasn’t an easy task, but everyone involved stepped up to the challenge.”