Manchester Airport has completed its first major airfield re-designation scheme in nearly two decades.

The airport is currently undertaking a £1 billion transformation programme that will see an expanded Terminal Two become the focal point of its operations, once the works are complete.

To support the shift in its operations, the airport is currently building a dual taxiway system to improve access from its runways to the terminal. 

The new taxiways will allow two Code E aircraft to pass each other which will improve the efficiency of the operation.

To prepare for the introduction of these new parallel taxiways, christened Echo and Delta, changes have been made to a number of the airfield designators. 

A team of around 30 from the airport and principal contractor Allied Infrastructure and sub-contractor ATG Airports worked through the night to install 50 new signs on five sections of taxiway, one runway holding position and 11 intermediate hold positions.

Additionally, several painted ground markings were altered, and changes were also made to the airfield lighting and other control software systems, aeronautical and operational charts, publications and databases.

As more facilities come online and further changes are made to the airfield, the new designators will make it easier for pilots and airside drivers to navigate around the airfield.

The airport worked in consultation with NATS and the Manchester-based pilot community to develop the strategy for long-term airfield designators.

These changes are the first phase of re-designation.

Further stages will take place as the outer taxiway network is developed between 2020 and 2024.