General Atomics

Manchester Airport removing pick-up and drop-off zone barriers

Barriers at the exits to Manchester Airport’s pick-up and drop-off zones will be removed from next week, between Wednesday 26th March and Wednesday 2nd April.



Image by Bylan Reay / courtesy MAG

 
Barriers at the exits to Manchester Airport’s pick-up and drop-off zones will be removed from next week, between Wednesday 26th March and Wednesday 2nd April.

The switch to a new barrierless drop-off and pick-up system will improve the overall experience for both drivers and passengers by streamlining the process. By removing the existing barriers, drivers will pass through more smoothly without the need to stop on exit, helping reduce congestion and helping people avoid increased charges as a result of having to wait to leave the zones.
The new technology will be managed through an automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) system like that already in use at some other UK airports and familiar settings like bridges and tunnels.

Cameras will identify cars by their registration number and automatically record who has used the pick-up or drop-off zone. Rather than stopping at a barrier and paying as they leave the area, drivers will leave and then pay the charge by midnight the following day. They can do this online or over the phone.

The barrierless system will be in place at the pick-up and drop-off zones in all three of the airport’s terminals as well as it the train, tram and bus station.

The new system will go live in a phased approach at each location between 26 March and 2 April. Signs on approach to each zone will advise people of the steps they need to take.

There will be no change to the existing charges. No payments will be made when exiting the zones.

Once a driver has used a zone they will have until midnight the next day to pay. Frequent users, including taxi drivers, will be able to set up an auto-pay account.

Related

London Gatwick Aviation Academy helps over 100 people towards employment
London Gatwick Aviation Academy
London Gatwick Aviation Academy helps over 100 people towards employment
Since it’s launch in February this year, London Gatwick's Aviation Academy has helped participants develop skills and qualify from its course, whilst supporting them in accessing aviation employment opportunities.
Aerospace

16 Aug 2026

SubSea Craft invests in Lorillion’s battery technology
SubSea Craft's VICTA
SubSea Craft invests in Lorillion’s battery technology
As part of the investment, Coventry based Lorillion is developing a bespoke battery system for SubSea Craft’s VICTA vessel, designed to operate at depths exceeding 50 metres.
British Airways named Europe’s favourite airline for second year running
british airways a320neo
British Airways named Europe’s favourite airline for second year running
British Airways has retained its title as Europe’s favourite airline in the 2026 Flyers’ Choice Awards, while easyJet tied for third place among low-cost carriers.
Aerospace

14 Aug 2026

Apex Europe: Delivering defence innovation at the speed of the frontline
Headshot for Nick Waite, Clarion Defence
Apex Europe: Delivering defence innovation at the speed of the frontline
As technology reshapes the battlefield, the challenge is no longer simply developing new capabilities, but getting them into the hands of those who need them quickly enough. Nick Waite, Product Director for Apex Europe, considers what Ukraine is teaching the UK and NATO about drones, autonomy and the pace of defence innovation.
Defence Insights

15 Aug 2026

How GCAP fits into the UK’s wider Future Combat Air System (FCAS)
Rendering of GCAP
How GCAP fits into the UK’s wider Future Combat Air System (FCAS)
GCAP sits at the heart of the UK's future combat air ambitions. We examine what the programme is, the capability Britain is seeking to deliver, and how it connects with the wider FCAS ecosystem.
Defence

15 Aug 2026

Turner & Townsend strengthens senior leadership team
Turner & Townsend
Turner & Townsend strengthens senior leadership team
A number of senior appointments have been made which are intended to add significantly to the company's specialist infrastructure and defence capabilities.
SatVu’s space-based thermal intelligence reveals status of Texan LNG terminal
Golden Pass LNG terminal in Texas
SatVu’s space-based thermal intelligence reveals status of Texan LNG terminal
By using HotSat-2's MWIR sensor, SatVu has captured thermal data over the Golden Pass LNG terminal in Texas, with AllSource Analysis attributing thermal activity to the individual units and equipment within.
Member News Space

14 Aug 2026

MDA Space opens CHORUS Control Centre
Chorus: generated image.
MDA Space opens CHORUS Control Centre
With the opening of its new control centre, MDA Space has moved closer to operational readiness ahead of the launch of its CHORUS satellite constellation later this year.
Member News Space

13 Aug 2026

Intuitive Machines completes acquisition of Goonhilly and COMSAT
Ground station.
Intuitive Machines completes acquisition of Goonhilly and COMSAT
Intuitive Machines’ integrated ground-to-space network is set to be enhanced by the ground station assets and competencies at Goonhilly, which will remain a UK entity and gain expanded resources, technologies and global reach.
Member News Space

13 Aug 2026

Turner & Townsend strengthens senior leadership team
Turner & Townsend
Turner & Townsend strengthens senior leadership team
A number of senior appointments have been made which are intended to add significantly to the company's specialist infrastructure and defence capabilities.
SubSea Craft invests in Lorillion’s battery technology
SubSea Craft's VICTA
SubSea Craft invests in Lorillion’s battery technology
As part of the investment, Coventry based Lorillion is developing a bespoke battery system for SubSea Craft’s VICTA vessel, designed to operate at depths exceeding 50 metres.
BMT joins Seabed 2030 to accelerate digital ocean mapping
Deep Blue Project USV
BMT joins Seabed 2030 to accelerate digital ocean mapping
BMT has brought its advanced autonomous maritime data collection and decision-support capabilities to the Seabed 2030 initiative, to accelerate mapping of the ocean floor and gain a greater understanding of the risks associated with the marine environment.
Member News Security

14 Aug 2026