Big crowds expected to welcome Super Jumbo at Manchester airport.

18th August 2010

Manchester Airport’s Runway Visitor Park is expecting large crowds of spectators on 1st September, to witness the arrival of the world’s biggest airliner when it touches down for the first time.The impressive double decker  A380 Airbus, which seats  517 passengers has been nickmaned the “Super-Jumbo”, is due to land at Manchester Airport at 12.25pm, commencing a daily scheduled service in what will be a world first for a regional airport.

The Runway Visitor Park will open at 8:00am on the day in order to deal with expected crowds.

There will be no admission charge for those people arriving by public transfort or on foot.Those arriving by car may only enter with pre-booked ticket only, costing  £12.00 per car for up to five occupants. Tickets will be valid until 4:00pm – enabling spectators to watch the A380’s departure at around 3:30pm.

Andrew Cornish, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, stated that it was a fantastic opportunity to witness the iconic A380 land  and placed the event on a par with the last flight of Concorde to Manchester. He added that the Airport was looking forward to welcoming  the many visitors that they were expecting.When Concorde made its final flight into Manchester in 2003, before going on permanent display in the Runway Visitor Park, an estimated 10,000 on-lookers greeted her arrival.

Parking marshals will be on hand to direct the traffic, with an overflow car park will be in operation, whilst the Park’s Aviation Shop has also stocked up on extra A380-model aircraft. On the day, additional catering facilities will be provided to support the Ringway Restaurant that is located inside the Concorde Conference Centre. Concorde tours, viewing mounds, the Nimrod and the other historical aircraft will remain on show throughout the day.

The new services on the A380 will boost capacity by an extra 75 seats a day and introduce the Dubai-based international carrier’s award-winning First Class cabin, which includes another world first – onboard showers.

The Runway Visitor Park is located next to Manchester Airport’s runways, two minutes from Junction 6 of the M56 motorway, off the A538 on Louis Paulhan Way.

For those thinking of making a day of it consider a Manchester airport hotels and parking option.