TRAVELLERS heading to a busy UK airport could face delays as major upgrades are set to get underway.
A £115 million upgrade at the airport’s train station is expected to cause delays as work begins at the end of the year.
For those who catch the train to Manchester Airport, major changes are expected to start as soon as December.
The project will expand Platforms 1, 2 and 3, lengthening them to allow more trains to serve the airport hub.
In addition to this, the track layouts on the approach to the station will be upgraded alongside railway signalling system improvements.
As a result of the improvements, Manchester Airport station will shut down completely on Sunday, December 6, 2026.
Rail minister Lord Hendy said: “Manchester Airport is a vital transport hub and this £115m investment from government will deliver more reliable services, increase capacity, and improve connections for the millions of passengers who use the station every year.
“This is the sort of improvement Great British Railways will be designed to deliver.
“By bringing track and train closer together under public ownership, we can take a more joined-up approach to investing in the railway, improving performance, putting passengers at the heart of every decision and growing the economy in the North.”
The £115m investment will be delivered by Network Rail and contractor Kier, and is expected to be completed sometime in 2028.
Passengers will face travel disruption as the programme gets underway.
Network Rail senior sponsor, Simon Daly, praised the improvement plan and apologised for any disruptions it may cause.
Daly said: “Manchester Airport station plays a vital role in connecting people across the country so these improvements will create more capacity for passengers, allow longer trains to serve the station and improve the reliability of services for years to come.
“The station closure on 6 December is an important first step in delivering these benefits. We recognise that any disruption is inconvenient and have worked closely with our partners to put plans in place, so passengers are kept on the move.”