Ringway becomes Manchester Airport

1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s

Scheduled passenger services re-commenced in June 1946, with various services being introduced by airlines such as BEA, KLM, and Aer Lingus. Typical aircraft in use at the time included Avro Ansons and Douglas Dakotas. Ringway Airport officially became 'Manchester Airport ' in June 1954, although 'Ringway' was still used for many years afterwards.

With government agreement, the airport remained under local authority control and by the middle of the 1950s work began on a new terminal and the main runway was gradually extended to accommodate larger jet aircraft. The new terminal was the first in Europe to incorporate a 'pier' system, in which passengers remain under cover until ready to board the aircraft. It was opened by HRH Price Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, in October 1962.

The first transatlantic flights to originate at Manchester began in 1963, with BOAC operating a Boeing 707 via Prestwick, but in 1969 the runway was further extended to 2,745 metres (9,010 feet) to facilitate non-stop transatlantic flights. Along with the runway extension a report was prepared and the conclusions to the Airport Authorities were stark and stated "The present terminal buildings and piers will not satisfy the requirements of the new generation of high capacity aircraft scheduled to operate from 1973/74".

Manchester City Council immediately resolved to invest £8.3 million for new Passenger buildings, aprons, taxi ways and roads. It was forecast that annual passenger totals would significantly increase to 5 million. In 1974 the new facilities opened, capable of accommodating Boeing 747 sized aircraft with airbridges connecting passengers directly from the gate to the aircraft.

The artist impressions show the intent.

The increasing number of international and intercontinental flights was reflected in the name change to 'Manchester International Airport' in July 1975.