Manchester Airport has relocated the Terminal 2 Overheight Pick-Up Car Park from its original location, directly opposite Exit 2 and only around one minute from the arrivals hall, to a new location further away from the terminal.

Passengers are now required to walk approximately 7–10 minutes outdoors to reach the new location to meet their vehicle and driver.

We are asking Manchester Airport to reconsider this decision and provide a pick-up facility for overheight vehicles that is much closer to the terminal and easier for all passengers to reach without experiencing issues.

How is this affecting private-hire operators?

Private-hire operators and minibus drivers regularly transport passengers who rely on a door-to-door service because walking long distances through an airport is difficult for them.

The previous location allowed drivers to meet passengers close to the terminal, assist them with their luggage and safely help them into the vehicle.

The new location makes this much more difficult.
Drivers are now having to ask passengers to walk considerably further with their luggage before they can reach their vehicle. This is particularly challenging when passengers are elderly, travelling with children, have mobility difficulties or simply need additional assistance.

Some drivers are parking up and walking down to help their passengers up to their vehicle, this is adding on time in the car park and resulting in extra fees being charged. 

For private-hire operators, this also makes it harder to provide the safe and accessible service that passengers have booked and paid for.

How is this affecting arriving passengers?

This is the most important issue.
Not every mobility problem is visible.
Many passengers may be unsteady on their feet, have hidden disabilities, respiratory conditions such as asthma, or other health problems that make walking long distances difficult.

Passengers arriving from a flight may also be tired, carrying heavy suitcases and travelling with young children or additional luggage.

For these passengers, a 7–10 minute outdoor walk is not simply an inconvenience. It can be physically exhausting, uncomfortable and, for some, potentially unsafe especially once the cold weather arrives and temperatures fall below freezing. It's unsafe and not mobility friendly.

A passenger who has specifically booked a private-hire vehicle may have done so because they need a convenient, door-to-door service.
The previous overheight pick-up location provided exactly that but this does not.

Moving the facility further away has made the journey from the arrivals hall to the vehicle considerably more difficult for some of the people who need this service most.

We want Manchester Airport to provide clarity
We understand that construction work is taking place next to the original overheight car park.
If the relocation is temporary because of these construction works, we would like Manchester Airport to clearly confirm this.

We would also like to know:

Is the new overheight pick-up temporary?

Is the original facility expected to reopen once the construction work is completed?

If so, is there an expected timeframe for this?
If the relocation is permanent,
why has this decision been made?

What consideration has been given to passengers with mobility difficulties and hidden disabilities?
Has an accessibility assessment been carried out on the new location?

What are we asking for?

We are asking Manchester Airport to:

1. Provide clear information about the relocation and confirm whether it is temporary or permanent.

2. If the relocation is temporary, confirm that the overheight facility will return to a location close to Terminal 2 once the construction work is completed.

3. If the relocation is permanent, reconsider the decision and provide an overheight pick-up facility much closer to the terminal.

4. Consider the needs of passengers with reduced mobility, hidden disabilities and other health conditions when deciding where these vehicles should collect passengers.

5. Listen to private-hire operators and passengers who are directly affected by this change.
This is about accessibility, not convenience
We understand that Manchester Airport has to manage traffic, construction and the operation of a busy international airport.

However, accessibility and passenger welfare should remain a priority.

For an able-bodied passenger, an additional 7–10 minute walk may not seem significant.

For an elderly passenger, someone who is unsteady on their feet, a wheelchair user, someone with a hidden disability or a passenger with a health condition such as asthma, it can make a very significant difference.

Accessibility should not depend on the type or height of the vehicle a passenger has chosen.
We are asking Manchester Airport to reconsider the current arrangement and ensure that passengers using overheight private-hire vehicles can be collected safely, conveniently and as close to the terminal as reasonably possible.

Please sign this petition
If you believe Manchester Airport should put passenger accessibility, safety and dignity first, please sign this petition and help us ask Manchester Airport to reconsider the relocation of the T2 Overheight Pick-Up facility.

Thank you

Hussain