UK's largest variable message sign for Manchester Airport

The installation, which was officially unveiled with a ribbon cutting ceremony on 9 April, is part of phase two of the Manchester Airport Transformation Programme (MAN-TP) to improve the passenger and driver experience across the airport. Phase two will also see the introduction of two new forecourts being introduced on separate levels in May – one at ground level and one adjacent to the check-in hall at T2.

The new digital gantry, manufactured and installed by SWARCO, on World Way Road near Terminal 2 features a 12m x 9m structure housing a 9m x 3m Variable Messaging Sign (VMS) – the largest digital sign installed from SWARCO in the UK. The sign will be used for multiple functions and to display multiple messages – including drop off-zone guidance, which can be managed and updated remotely in real time. It also features SWARCO’s patented lens technology to ensure the lowest power consumption and lower lifetime cost of ownership, aligning with the airport’s broader sustainability commitment.

Dominic Kershaw, Business Change Lead at Manchester Airport says: “The installation of the digital gantry is a vital component in enhancing the overall operational efficiency of Terminal 2. With advanced wayfinding and responsive traffic systems, Manchester Airport continues to evolve in line with modern passenger needs, supporting a more seamless, stress-free, and sustainable journey from the moment travellers arrive.”

“We are proud to support Manchester Airport in delivering its Transformation Programme,” says John Pickworth, Managing Director of SWARCO UK & Ireland. “By working in close collaboration throughout the project, we were able to fully understand and implement their bespoke requirements and have delivered a high quality, highly reliable and energy efficient solution that will improve guidance for drivers and passengers alike at Terminal 2.”