Psychology behind airport revamp

Passengers want security "over with", the airport says

Manchester Airport's Terminal 1 is to get a £35m overhaul - based on the advice of psychologists.

The redevelopment will see the security area relocated directly behind the main check-in hall to get passengers through checks as quickly as possible.

It means the majority of restaurants, bars and shops will be airside.

The airport worked with behavioural consultants on the plans, who studied passengers and found they liked to get security checks "over and done with".

Bosses say the redevelopment, which has already started, will create one of the UK's largest airside shopping facilities.

Its layout will encourage passengers to check-in and go straight through security to what bosses describe as a new "retail, drinking and dining experience".

Landside reduction

Passengers will be ushered through four zones beginning with shops for essential travel purchases such as newspapers and toiletries.

Next will come a duty free shopping area followed by a zone selling high street brands and, finally, passengers will arrive in a huge dining and drinking area.

The centrepiece of this area is a large pub and bar which will cost £5m - and will be built under the first phase of the project.

Shops and services landside are set to be scaled down.

Research commissioned by the airport found that passengers were unable to fully relax until they had passed through security checks - a trend accelerated by recent added restrictions.

The airport said it was responding to the changing buying patterns that have occurred as a result.

Commercial director Andrew Harrison said: "We're very in touch with our passengers' needs and we're very excited about the start of work on this new, specially-designed airport experience."