Mace scoops role on £440m airport expansion

Mace has landed the the integrated delivery partner and construction manager role on the £440m second phase of the Manchester Airport expansion.

The firm was appointed to deliver the latest chunk of work on the major upgrade of the regional flights hub after Manchester Airport Group this week made the final investment decision to go ahead with the second phase of its £1.3bn transformation programme.

This phase will double the size of the facility’s existing departure lounge and create a new security hall fitted with next-generation scanners.

Mace will also oversee the redevelopment of Terminal 2 and the building of a new pier to create extra capacity for aircraft.

Jacobs will be principal designer for airfield works, delivering a new dual-taxiway system to improve efficiency.

Pascall+Watson was named as principal architects; Turner & Townsend as programme-wide independent cost consultants; and Buro Happold as structural engineers. Hoare Lea will be mechanical and electrical consultants; Atkins is to be Aviation Security in Airport Development consultants; and Vanderlande will be principal contractor for baggage systems.

Manchester Airport Group chief development officer Paul Willis said: “The second phase of the Manchester Airport Transformation Programme represents the concluding chapter of the most ambitious expansion project in the history of the airport, and in turn signifies a huge milestone for our city, the North and also the wider recovery of the travel industry.

“We are looking forward to working with Mace and all our partners to create a world-class facility that will provide not only regional connections, but also improved global connectivity.”

The first phase of the transformation programme doubled the size of Terminal 2. Led by Laing O’Rourke, it completed in the summer of 2021.

Since then the airport has launched a service to Kuwait, revived a route to Beijing and become the first transatlantic base for Aer Lingus in the UK.

This latest investment is designed to deliver improvement to all stages of the passenger journey from check-in to baggage reclaim as well as upgrading the airfield to cater for next-generation aircraft.

More than 500 jobs will be created in the construction phase.

Mace will also engage 1,500 young people across Greater Manchester; donate 500 hours of employee volunteering time; and target raising £70,000 for local charities.

Mace Consult chief executive Jason Millett said: “It’s fantastic to be delivering a project which will have such a significant impact on levelling up the UK through job creation and enhanced connectivity.”