You may not think that there is such a thing as an award ceremony for airports. But in fact there is, and this year the award went to one of the smaller airports in the UK – Manchester Airport.
It is obvious that size is not the only prerequisite to winning this award. Other more important factors are used to determine which airport will win the award, and this year Manchester beat off stiff competition from the likes of Heathrow and Glasgow among others.
But while the airport would no doubt be delighted with winning the UK Airport of the Year award, it can also take comfort in the fact that it won the award last year as well. The award is given after looking at various different parts of the airports and their services. So for example the technology they have in place to contribute to the smooth running of the airport is just as important as the level of customer satisfaction they achieve.
Perhaps more interesting too is the fact that it isn’t just professionals in the industry that vote for the airport they think should win the award. Customers who use the airport get to vote too, and as such the award represents the views of a good cross section of people. You can read one of the reports of the win by Manchester Airport by going to the Messenger Newspapers website.
So could Manchester make it three in a row again next year? It is certainly possible that they could – and if they did they would be able to show everyone that they have focused on providing the best airport services possible. One key aspect of the airport is that those in charge are constantly looking to improve the services even more. Their security has been overhauled in recent months after an investment totalling £25 million. In addition to this, terminals one and two have received a much needed makeover, which has no doubt added to the ability the airport has to win that prize.
So other airports can now look to Manchester to see what it is they have to do to make sure they get to the top of the pile next year. We think Manchester has a great chance of making it three in a row – but it will be fascinating to see if we are proved right.