19/11/2025
π¦ MANCHESTER AIRPORT ALTERS TAXI DROP OFFS AT TERMINAL 2 TO COMBAT CONGESTION
Manchester Airport has implemented a significant change to its drop-off arrangements for taxis and private hire vehicles serving Terminal 2, effective Monday, November 17.
Passengers arriving via private hire or taxi will now be directed to the Lower T2 Drop-Off Forecourt instead of the Upper Forecourt. They will then need to use escalators or lifts to reach the departure hall.
The change directly impacts concession holdersβdrivers who pay an annual fee for a 40 per cent discount on drop-off feesβwho were informed they would "no longer receive the discount for the Upper Forecourt."
The new arrangement has a height restriction of 2m in the lower forecourt. Taller vehicles, including some minibuses and MPVs, will be redirected to the T2 Over Height Car Park.
Some in the private hire industry have voiced concerns that the move could increase "congestion during busy periods," and that the "long walk" from the over-height car park may be frustrating for passengers.
Manchester Airport asserts the change is necessary to ease congestion at T2 and expects the impact on passengers to be minimal.
A Manchester Airport spokesperson assured passengers using the alternate car park: βThe Overheight car park is a convenient alternative for taller vehicles. It is right outside the terminal entrance and passengers can use the lifts or escalators to get to departures.β
The new drop-off system comes as the airport nears the completion of its Β£1.3 billion transformation project.
This overhaul will see Terminal 1 close, positioning Terminal 2 as the airportβs main hub, handling over 75 per cent of its passenger traffic.
Several airlines, including Etihad, Emirates, and easyJet, have recently relocated their operations to the new-look T2.