Manchester Airport Civil Engineering Framework 2017-2025

Manchester Airport is the UK’s third largest airport and almost 30 million passengers travel through the airport each year. MAG have an ambitious £1.0bn transformation plan over the ten-year period from 2017-27 which involves major changes to the Airport’s infrastructure. Bethell are one of three partners appointed onto MAG’s Civil Engineering Framework which has an annual budget spend of £20m to £30m per annum. 

Working on the Airport’s highways infrastructure is challenging as there is never a “quiet” period with the need to minimise inconvenience to the 24 hour/ 365 day operation. Works often require implementing changing shifts patterns to meet demanding programmes and complicated phasing to reduce passenger interfaces. Furthermore, there are a huge number of stakeholders to consider in ensuring that disruption is kept to a minimum such as passengers, car park operators, security staff, airside operations, local authorities, emergency services, bus companies, freight companies and franchise operators. All projects require meticulous planning and early involvement of the stakeholders to minimise disruption to the operation of the Airport. 

Work on the Framework is generally allocated through mini-tender and each tender is scored on a Quality/Value basis, having to demonstrate our understanding of the client’s requirements by submitting phasing plans, outline methodologies, programmes along with each financial bid. This is a vital consideration given the potential disruption to this critical transport hub.