Manchester: Your Airport, MAN
A behind-the-scenes look at Manchester Airport, one of the UK's largest airports, connecting nearly 30 million passengers annually to destinations worldwide. Hosted by broadcaster Tom Fordyce, the podcast explores the airport's operations and stories beyond its role as a travel hub.
Episodes
Careers in Aviation
In this one-off live episode, Hywel Evans is joined by five women working across the aviation industry. Together they explore the wide range of careers available in aviation and share their best advice on taking that all-important first step.We also hear from an audience of enthusiastic students who are preparing to begin their own journeys into the industry.
What Lies Beneath
Ever wondered what’s right beneath your seat when you’re on a plane? There’s more than just suitcases… In this episode, we go airside to follow an Etihad aircraft turnaround, then head inside Swissport's cargo centre to discover how air cargo keeps Christmas moving - from festive food to last-minute online gifts.
Where’s Hot and Where’s Not?
Where are Manchester Airport travellers heading? And which ‘dupe’ destinations are worth a look? Our travel experts share must-see tips, hidden gems and smart alternatives. Plus, Andy from the Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office joins us with essential advice on what to do when travel plans go wrong.
The Journey Makers
This year, aviation TikToker and social media influencer Mo T - The Airport Guy has joined forces with MAG to try out different jobs across the airport. In this episode, he’s our guest host, joined by colleagues and partners who are dedicated to inspiring the next generation. What careers are possible in aviation? How diverse is the industry behind the scenes? What qualifications do you need - an
The Big Q&A
Your questions, answered... straight from the top. Manchester Airport MD Chris Woodroofe and the leadership team take your questions on the airport’s transformation and future vision. Three years into Chris’s time as Managing Director, he reflects on the progress made, the challenges overcome, and what’s next for Manchester as a global hub for the North.
Completing Our Transformation
A new era for Manchester Airport is ready for take-off. Manchester Airport is nearing the completion of its £1.3bn, decade-long transformation - with a bigger, better Terminal 2 at its heart. Hywel and Head of Retail Richard Jackson go behind the scenes at the new-look Terminal 2 to see the finishing touches. From new shops and cafés to smarter security and parking systems. What does it all mean
Indian Summer
India’s biggest airline lands in Manchester!IndiGo’s new Mumbai route connects the North directly to India’s financial capital. But why Manchester? What’s the impact for business, culture, and the Indian diaspora? We head to Old Trafford to hear from industry and community leaders shaping Manchester–India connections, all while soaking up the atmosphere at the England v India Test.
Now That’s What I Call Manchester
Every year, Greater Manchester receives millions of international tourists, many brought by a love of football and music, with others travelling further afield to enjoy the scenery of national parks like Snowdonia and the Lake District.We speak to Victoria Braddock from Marketing Manchester on why people from around the world want to visit the city and the role the airport plays in that. We also h
London Calling
Tom and Adam take a trip to the shadows of Big Ben, where they chat to Manchester Airport Group’s Head of Public Affairs Joe Chapman, exploring the engagement MAN does in Westminster, and looking at what July’s general election result means for the future of aviation.Meanwhile, while we’re in the capital, we call in on Gareth Powell, MD of MAN’s sister airport, London Stansted, to find out what th
Life on the Wing
Ryan and Jade from Live the Dash, are among the most-followed travel creators on the net, with 750k followers across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. They are also regular travellers from Manchester. They talk to Tom and Adam about what it’s like to be a travel influencer and share stories of their recent trips from their second home, MAN.We also check back in with the airport’s social media team, w
Terminal Transformation
Grab your hard hats and safety goggles, we’re taking you onto the construction site that will soon be Terminal 2. Last series, we heard from Jill Fraser on the plans for Phase 2 of MANTP. In this episode, Tom and Adam are joined by Rick Wagstaffe from the MANTP team to hear about the progress made and take a tour of the parts of T2 that are under construction, including the new pier and departure
Summer Hotspots
Where are some of the weird and wonderful places people will be jetting off to this summer and beyond? Manchester Airport is proud to serve new routes to destinations as varied as Luxembourg, Shanghai, Las Vegas and Casablanca this summer, but old favourites like Spain, Greece and Turkey will be very popular as well. We speak to Candice Flanagan, a holiday sales rep at TUI, about the most popular
What Happens In Vegas…
It’s time to add some glitz and glamour to the podcast, so we’re talking Vegas, baby! Tom Fordyce and co-host Adam Jupp are back with one of the most exciting updates yet.Taking you behind the scenes of one of the biggest route inaugurals at Manchester Airport this summer, we speak to John Parton from Virgin Atlantic about the new route, and also catch up with travel creators Live The Dash, who ha
Episode 6 | Flying High
On our final episode of the series, Tom takes to the skies with TUI pilot Damian Ikin to find out what really goes on inside the cockpit. And on the ground, Adam explains how Manchester Airport dealt with the recent air traffic control outage.
Episode 5 | Social Life
Can you take a cat skull through security? Tom and Adam get an insight into the weird and wonderful questions answered by Ellie Todd and Ffion Williams from Manchester Airport's social media team. And speaking of questions, they put some of yours to Managing Director, Chris Woodroofe.
Episode 4 | Food for Flight
Feeling hungry? Tom and Adam get stuck into the culinary delights on offer at Manchester Airport. Keith McAvoy from the brewing company Seven Bro7hers treats Tom to a tipple and shares what it’s like to run the Amber Ale House in Terminal 2. On the business end, Commercial Director Stephen Turner explains how Manchester Airport chooses which bars and restaurants to put in its terminals.
Episode 3 | Technology and Travel
From supersonic flight to streamlined security, Tom and Adam are on a mission to find out more about the tech changing the way we travel. They speak to Antonio Filippone, Professor of Computational Aerodynamics at the University of Manchester, about new developments in the sky – and on the ground they sit down with Operations Director, Rad Taylor, who discusses his role in helping the airport roll
Episode 2 | The (Not So) Secret Life of Cabin Crew
Ever wondered what it’s like to work at thirty thousand feet? Tom and Adam sit down with Virgin Atlantic Cabin Crew, Nick Rowbotham, who lets them in on the secrets of the skies.
Ep 6 | Travelling SalesMAN
How do you sell Manchester to the world? Tom and Adam unpack the anatomy of a deal with globetrotting Aviation Director, Rob Smith. They also ask the big question - how do we make air travel sustainable? Adam Freeman, Head of Environmental Strategy, shares the huge strides Manchester Airport has made to becoming the UK’s first independently certified carbon neutral airport.
Ep 5 | It’s A Tough Job and Someone’s Got To Do It
From the ‘bird-scarer’ to the ‘snow-man’ Tom and Adam hear about Manchester Airport’s weirdest jobs and hit the tarmac with Airfield Operations Manager, Peter Griffiths. They’ll also visit Jo Jackson in the airport’s AeroZone, an interactive education centre, where Tom gets a taste of some of the most exciting roles Manchester Airport has to offer.Find out more about the AeroZone here: https://www
Ep 4 | The Life of a Spotter
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Tom and Adam speak to the people who spend their lives watching the skies. Air Traffic Controller, Tom Englander, talks through the ins and outs of his job up in the tower. On the ground, aviation enthusiasts Martin and Andy share the thrill of streaming Manchester’s biggest arrivals and departures to their half-a-million followers on the channel Airliners Live. Follow
Ep 3 | Travel Hacks
Travelling can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Simon Calder, one of the country’s best-known travel journalists, shares his top-tips for a smooth journey through the airport. Tom and Adam also hear from the people on hand when journeys just don’t go to plan – the Airport Chaplains. From births, deaths and even weddings, they’ve truly seen it all.
Ep 2 | Celebrities
Ever wondered what it’s like to fly as a VIP? From sports stars to superstars, reality to royalty, Airport Duty Manager, Karen Robinson has seen her fair share of celebrities. Tom and Adam hear all about it and get a backstage pass to the airport’s control room. They’ll also sit down in an executive lounge with Head of Hospitality, Mart Louwerse, as they talk through the glamorous side of Manchest
Ep 1 | The Evolution of MAN
As Manchester Airport prepares to celebrate its 85th birthday, Tom Fordyce and co-host Adam Jupp, the airport’s Communications Director, speak to the man in charge. Managing Director, Chris Woodroofe, gives a unique insight into running one of the UK’s busiest airports and looks ahead to the future. Tom and Adam also hear from long-serving colleagues about how working at Manchester Airport gets un
Coming Soon (Trailer)
Coming soon - Manchester: Your Airport, MAN. It’s one of the largest airports in the UK, connecting nearly 30 million people a year from all corners of the North to hundreds of destinations around the world - but it’s so much more than an airport.Join broadcaster Tom Fordyce, as he goes behind the scenes at Manchester Airport.
