Ryanair Manchester has reached a landmark: travelweekly reports that the carrier has now carried more than 75 million passengers through Manchester Airport (MAN), more than 30 years after its first service there took off.
Ryanair Manchester: From a Single Dublin Route to 19 Based Aircraft
According to travelweekly, Ryanair began operations at Manchester in 1994 with a route to Dublin. What started as a single connection to Ireland has since grown into a substantial presence at the airport. The carrier now has 19 aircraft based at Manchester, according to travelweekly, serving a wide range of European destinations.
Stephen Turner, chief commercial officer at Manchester Airport, credited the airline with helping to shape the airport's network. "Ryanair has played a crucial role in delivering that connectivity for more than three decades, serving a huge array of destinations across Europe," Turner said.
You can explore Ryanair's full route network and fleet using our Airline Search tool.
A Rule Change Passengers Should Know About
The milestone comes alongside a notable operational update that affects some Ryanair travellers. Travel Radar reports that Ryanair changed its airport bag drop closure time to 60 minutes before departure, up from 40 minutes, effective Tuesday 10 November.
Travel Radar reports that the airline said the change aims to reduce the number of passengers who miss flights because of delays at security or passport control. The impact on most travellers is limited: Travel Radar reports that approximately 20% of Ryanair passengers check in a bag, leaving the remaining 80% unaffected by the new rule.
For those who do check luggage at Manchester, the earlier cut-off is worth factoring in, particularly at a busy hub where security queues can extend during peak periods.
The Bottom Line
Seventy-five million passengers is a substantial figure for a single airport relationship, and it underlines how central Manchester has become to Ryanair's UK operation. The 19 aircraft currently based there give the airline a strong platform for continued growth in the north of England. The bag drop change is a minor procedural adjustment rather than a structural shift, but passengers travelling with hold luggage will need to plan their airport arrival accordingly.
This article draws on reporting by travelweekly and Travel Radar.
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