This year Manchester Airport is celebrating its 80th anniversary, and to mark the occasion has announced a series of events to show off its past to both passengers and enthusiasts.
The airport’s “oak” anniversary celebrations will emphasise its regional roots and global branches, telling the story of its evolution from a single wooden hut in 1938 to the UK’s third largest airport today.
Activity will take place either side of Manchester Airport’s official birthday, on June 25, and will also look forward to how the gateway will be transformed through the £1bn investment programme currently underway.
As well as taking part in the Manchester Day Parade on June 17, where employees will dish out giveaway prizes, it will also embrace the Bee in the City campaign, taking the wraps off a giant bee in its Ground Transport Interchange. The bee will have a theme of “80 days around the world,” again pointing to the airport’s extensive route network. It will be one of the many bees that eventually go on auction to raise funds for the I Love Manchester fund.
The airport is also set to open up the archives and curate a special exhibition of artefacts from across the decades. These include old airline memorabilia, uniforms and antique luggage scales, some not being seen for many years. These will go on display at the airport’s Runway Visitor Park for its thousands of visitors to see, free of charge.
Also at the Runway Visitor Park the annual Aviation & Transport Festival will be celebrating all things 80 with classic cars & vehicles historic military transport and aviation exhibits on show on 30th June and 1st July.
Manchester Airport will also be partnering with airline KLM, who operated the first commercial flight on 27th June 1938 to Amsterdam via Doncaster. The Dutch national carrier is planning a range of activities to celebrate this milestone with its passengers.
A range of activities for communities surrounding the airport will also be delivered as part of the celebrations.
There will also be a few high-profile surprises still to be announced in the coming weeks.
AirportSpotting is hoping to join in with the airport in some of its events, and post some content on the history of the airport over the summer.
[Read Our Guide to Spotting at Manchester Airport]
