Manchester Airport’s AeroZone celebrates 10,000th visitor
Image courtesy MAG
The AeroZone is an interactive space for young people aged four to 18. It welcomes local primary, secondary and college students every day of the academic year.
Delivered as part of Phase One of Manchester Airport’s £1.3 billion Transformation Programme, it was officially opened by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and a group from Outwood Primary School, in Heald Green. A group of pupils from the same school were at the AeroZone this Tuesday to celebrate the latest milestone – three of whom were present on the opening day itself.
Jenni Maude, headteacher at the school, said: “We send a class most years and have done since it opened. The children love how interactive it is – the pilot section is one they love the most. It’s hands-on, it’s realistic and it suits all ages.”
As part of their visit, the pupils heard from heard from a number of guest speakers, including Lewis Hulmes, who secured a two-year work placement at Manchester Airport and now works as a customer service ambassador at the airport.
Lewis said: “I spent a couple of months at AeroZone as part of my work placement and I learned a lot here, building communication skills that I still use day-to-day in my current role, so it’s nice to give something back and hopefully help inspire some colleagues of the future.”
Ryan Clarke, an Airside Manager for the airport’s special assistance provider ABM, also spoke to pupils. Ryan has worked at the airport for 13 years in a variety of roles having come through the Airport Academy programme, which helps young people get access to employment. He said: “AeroZone is a fantastic facility and it’s great to be here as it marks 10,000 visitors. Kids visiting have a chance to try out a range of aviation careers and see what might interest them.”
The 10,000 visitor milestone comes as the hub reaffirms its long-standing commitment to creating a sustainable future for the aviation industry with the publication of its annual Sustainability Report.
The report outlines the work the airport has done to protect the environment, support local communities and provide delivered in the 12 months ending 31st March 2025. This year’s report also marks the final year of Manchester Airports Group’s 2020-2025 Sustainability Strategy, Working Together for a Brighter Future and reflects on achievements over that five-year period.
In addition to welcoming 10,000 young people at AeroZone in that period, the airport has marked a number of further milestones across the Sustainability Strategy’s key priorities, including:
- Reducing its market-based Scope 1 emissions by 6% over the past five years.
- Establishing partnerships for the use of Hydrogen and Sustainable Aviation Fuel
- Diverting more than 99% of waste from landfill in the 12 months to April 2025
- Hosting an annual Meet the Buyer event for three successive years, generating more than £8m worth of new business for local SMEs.
- Investing more than £3m in our apprenticeship programme and supporting more than 440 apprentices
- Donating in excess of £100,000 per year to good causes through the Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund
MAG’s CEO Ken O’Toole said: “Celebrating 10,000 visitors to Manchester Airport’s Aerozone since it opened is a living demonstration of how important our education programmes are, and the scale of the impact they can have on young people living in our catchment areas.
“As a major employer across the North, Midlands and South, MAG has a significant role to play in providing skills and employment opportunities for surrounding communities to drive employment and stimulate regional and national economic growth.
“Our new Sustainability Strategy: Creating a sustainable future for all will ensure that we continue to make progress against our sustainability targets, and transition towards net zero carbon operations by 2038, working with industry and Government to reach net zero aviation by 2050.
“I would like to thank colleagues across MAG for their hard work and commitment in the delivery of a successful Strategy and I look forward to what positive developments lie ahead.”
Aviation Minister Keir Mather, said: “Alongside our Aviation Ambassadors who promote careers in the sector, projects like the AeroZone raise awareness of routes into aviation, giving young people valuable opportunities that inspire long-term careers.
“This is an important milestone for accessible, high-quality education in Greater Manchester, and I congratulate Manchester Airports Group on their work to help build a skilled workforce fit for the future and deliver our Plan for Change.”
Manchester City Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig said: "Manchester Airport is a major economic driver for the city and a big employer in its own right. The Aerozone is a great example of how it connects with the community, inspiring our young people to learn about and even go into careers in the aviation industry.
"It's one of many ways in which the airport supports our communities and businesses.
"Manchester Airports Group is also demonstrating leadership in reducing its own carbon emissions and encouraging the global drive to reduce the emissions associated with air travel."
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Manchester Airport is a key part of our growth ambitions for Greater Manchester. It provides highly skilled jobs for residents and the AeroZone does great work in inspiring young people that there is a route to quality jobs in our city region.
“It’s positive to also see the airport continuing its commitment to sustainability, contributing to Greater Manchester’s carbon neutral ambitions."
