Manchester airport has invited businesses to bid for contracts worth up to £500 million, as part of its 10-year transformation programme.
The north west has issued a contract notice for the Terminal 2 transformation phase, and includes the design and construction of an extension to the existing building, more than doubling its current size.
The proposed works include a new baggage factory; piers; terminal extension and upgrade of forecourt; access roads; multi-storey car parks and alterations to existing terminal.
Brad Miller, Manchester airport transformation programme director, said: “After a successful launch in June this year and an extensive consultation period it is exciting to enter the next phase of the project.
“This contract notice and invitation to participate, is the single biggest element of the whole £1bn project that spans ten years, and we are expecting to see a range of high calibre companies put their names forward.”
The initial notice invites interested parties to complete a pre-qualification questionnaire ahead of the main invitation to tender for the works. Organisations wishing to participate will need to demonstrate that they have had an annual turnover in excess of £750m over the last three years.
The government is hoping Manchester airport plays a key role in delivering the Northern Powerhouse, with the airport currently supporting £1.7 billion every year in economic activity in the local and regional economy. The airport already employs 21,500 people on site and supports a further 45,000 indirectly.
Earlier this week, Manchester airport broke its record for passenger numbers in a single month, helped by a rise in long-haul traffic.