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Manchester Airport is prepared for a bumper half-term with around one million passengers expected to pass through the airport.

The late May half-term is always a busy week for the UK’s global gateway in the North and this year is set to be busier than ever, with forecasts suggesting a record-breaking week.

Passengers are going to be jetting off to a range of holiday hotspots all over the world. The most popular destinations are set to be Dublin, Amsterdam, Mallorca, Dubai, Tenerife and Malaga – as well as Antalya and Dalaman, both in Turkey.

Passengers coming through the airport this week are being reminded to follow a few simple steps to make sure they have a smooth trip.

Firstly, plan your journey to the airport in advance. If you’re driving then check the traffic before you leave and make sure you have planned your parking. If you’re using public transport, make sure you plan the journey and take into account any delays or cancellations.

Arrive at the airport at the time specified by your airline – that is usually two hours before your flight for short haul trips or three for long haul.

Make sure your bags are in line with what your flight and tickets allow. Baggage allowance varies from airline to airline and depending on what you have purchased. Avoid hold ups or extra charges by measuring and weighing any bags.

Check-in online if you’re able to. Particularly if you are only travelling with hand baggage.

Finally, prepare for security – make sure you do not have any liquids above 100ml, and those below that are packed into a clear plastic bag. You will need to remove electronics from your bags when they go through scanners, so be ready to do that as well as taking off jackets and coats, emptying pockets, removing belts, and taking off anything metallic that is likely to trigger a metal detector.

The advice comes as the airport is introducing some new mascots to keep smaller passengers entertained, as well as handing out activity books.

The mascots are known as the Little Flyers Club – they are a group of characters who are said to live around the airport and are often mistaken for unclaimed luggage. The characters will appear on branding around the airport as well as in the activity books being given to children.

Passengers travelling through Manchester Airport’s Terminal 1 over the May Half Term will have even more to keep them entertained in the departure lounge. Krispy Kreme opens a new concession in the terminal this week, hot on the heels of the new Gaming Point unit, with PC gaming and a virtual reality Escape Room.

Manchester Airport Managing Director Chris Woodroofe said:

“The airport is always a wonderful place to be at this time of year – with excited families getting ready for half term getaways to any one of our 200 destinations.

“We are proud to serve the people of the North and have been working hard to make sure that everyone gets a great experience this half term and can begin their holidays at the airport – so whether you’re flying from Manchester to Malaga, Bradford to Bodrum or Liverpool to Lisbon, we are confident you’ll enjoy your time here.

“This summer, we’re going the extra mile our younger travellers, conscious that they love to have things to entertain them.  That’s why we’ve introduced the Little Flyers Club.  We’ve got lots of plans for our Little Flyer characters and I’m looking forward to seeing what mischief they get up to.”

The Little Flyers Club are:

Casey:

Don’t be fooled by Casey’s size – he might be big, but he’s the most nervous out of the crew! He’s never been out of the UK before and gets scared of the X-ray machines you find at Security, but the other Little Flyers look after him and make him feel safe.

Casey’s kind and sensitive, and always makes sure nobody gets left behind – a real team player.

Finn:

Finn is a real jet-setter! He once belonged to the daughter of a pilot in London and flew all over the world to places like New York and Dubai – and now Finn believes he’s a pilot, too!

Although his owner accidentally left him behind in the busy airport, Finn’s positive that they’ll find each other again one day. This inspiring optimism makes him the glue that holds the Little Flyers together.

Jet:

Jet is here to save the day! Originally from Japan, her state-of-the-art technology never fails to impress the others, using her intelligence and problem-solving skills help keep the crew out of trouble.

Listen carefully and you might hear her beep and bleep around the airport, to communicate with the gang on their adventures!

Porter:

Porter is a curious backpack from the Gold Coast of Australia, always looking for the next adventure! With a passion for travel and a daredevil spirit, he explores the unknown (despite his clumsiness that is).

You’ll be sure to hear him before you see him as he’s the loudest member of the crew! He’s always up for a challenge which the crew admire.

Carrie:

Carrie, a French case with a passion for fashion, was found posing on the runway (not quite the one she was hoping for). Often spotted daydreaming about the most stylish outfits, Carrie has a wealth of kindness and compassion towards her friends.

She may not seem interested in adventures at first, but when she finally gets into the groove, there’s no stopping her!