Manchester Airport has appointed a new director to oversee its £650m Airport City Enterprise Zone development project.
John Atkins' appointment comes as the airport prepares to approach the market for development partners for Airport City, a 150-acre scheme to provide hotel, leisure, retail and office facilities in the next 10 to 15 years.
Chief executive of the Manchester Airports Group Charlie Cornish said: “Since we first began working on the project several years ago, John has been at the forefront of formulating our strategy on Airport City.
"As the project starts to accelerate as we enter the first year of site development, it is vital we have the right people in place to take us forward. Airport City is a long-term project that will take shape over the next ten to 15 years and we have huge ambitions for the opportunity and the potential it harnesses for the North.”
The airport is hoping the project will build on its air links and compete with similar locations in Barcelona, Amsterdam and Frankfurt
Atkins said: “Next year will be significant as we look to secure planning permission and bring the project to market."
By Linsey McNeill
