Manchester Airport is to expand the departure lounge in Terminal 3 by about 2,000 square metres — more than a third — under a multimillion-pound project with a phased opening from summer 2028.

Terminal 3 now serves Ryanair passengers exclusively. The airport said the extra floorspace will create more room for passengers, increase natural light, add seating and make space for new shops.

What is changing

The work will use space that was once part of Terminal 3's landside operation and has been out of use since late last year, according to the airport's press release. Parts of the adjoining former Terminal 1, including its security hall and entrance, have already been incorporated into Terminal 3 after Terminal 1 closed.

The airport's Terminal 3 page says works are due to start in 2027, with a phased opening from summer 2028, and that new retail and food and drink offers in the expanded lounge will be announced in 2027. A competitive tender to bring new retailers into the added space is among the next steps.

Recent upgrades already in place

The expansion builds on recent Terminal 3 changes, including a new entrance and security area and the Sporting Chance bar. A new Italian restaurant, Terracotta, is also due to open; the Manchester Evening News reported that Terracotta is set to open in November 2026.

Over the last decade the airport has invested around £1.5bn in redeveloping Terminal 2, which now handles about 75 per cent of passengers and allowed Terminal 1 to close.

What the airport said

Chris Woodroofe, managing director of Manchester Airport, said the airport was "turning our attention to Terminal 3" after the Terminal 2 redevelopment. "We've already made significant changes but now we're ready to accelerate that work and provide more space and facilities for our Ryanair passengers," he said. "It's a really exciting project and I'm really pleased to see it starting to take off. We'll be announcing even more in the coming weeks."

Sources: Manchester Airport press release (23 October 2026), including the quote from Chris Woodroofe; the airport's Terminal 3 upgrade page (works from 2027, phased opening from summer 2028); and reporting by Liv Clarke in the Manchester Evening News (23 October 2026) on Terracotta's planned November opening. Schedules and retail plans can change, so check with the airport closer to travel. This article was produced with the help of AI tools and checked by an editor against the sources above.