Manchester Airport is to become the UK’s first major airport to open a private terminal, saying it will offer commercial airline passengers the experience of flying on a private jet.
Premiair’s stated aim is to provide a premium service to a wide range of passengers, with no restrictions based on ticket type or destination.
It is due to open in September 2019, with entrance at £50 for ‘priority departures’ and £100 for ‘premium departures’.
Services include fast-track security queues, complimentary lounge food and drink and a private car transfer to the aircraft.
Those arriving back into Manchester will also be able to use Premiair as part of a round-trip booking or as a standalone service, benefiting from car transfer direct-from-plane and a dedicated passport control service. Luggage will be returned to them while they wait in the lounge.
Airports including Heathrow have a VIP service, though not in a dedicated terminal building. In 2017 LAX opened a private terminal with a $7,500 annual fee plus per-day charges of $3,000 for international travel.
“By introducing Premiair, we’re offering something unique for all of our passengers, and creating a completely new way to travel,” said Manchester Airports Group (MAG) Airport Services Chief Executive Andrew Harrison.
He added that this was something “a large number of customers have been telling us they would be interested in for some time.”
MAG hopes to roll out Premiair – which is designed by Jacobs – to other airport sites in the future.
Manchester is currently undergoing its £1bn Manchester Airport Transformation Programme, which will see terminal 2 almost double in size, and new piers and car parks added.
Manchester Airport Chief Executive Andrew Cowan said: “Our £1bn transformation will give the North the international gateway it deserves, while connecting it to the best leisure and business destinations around the world.”
