Manchester Airports Group

Manchester Airports Group logo

The Manchester Airports Group plc (MAG) is a holding company owned by the ten metropolitan borough councils of Greater Manchester, in North West England. MAG is the largest UK-owned airport operator, following the purchase of BAA by Spain's Ferrovial Group in 2006.

Manchester Airports Group was formed in 2001 to own and operate Manchester Airport and the other smaller acquisitions. Prior to that the Manchester Airport Board operated Manchester Airport from 1986, when the Greater Manchester County Council was disbanded. Since its spin-off, MAG has branched out into other ventures. In addition to Manchester Airport, it owns and operates Bournemouth Airport, East Midlands Airport and Humberside Airport. The Group handles over 29 million combined passengers a year from its four airports and generates approximately £3.2 billion for the economy of the United Kingdom, whilst supporting, directly and indirectly, over 130,000 jobs.

Manchester Airports Group runs airport service-related businesses including baggage handling and ground services, car parking, fire-fighting, airport security, engineering, motor transport services and advertising.

The property and development arm of MAG, previously known as MADL (Manchester Airport Developments), was rebranded as MAG Developments in early 2009.

In 2008, MAG expressed an interest in bidding for London Gatwick Airport and possibly either Edinburgh Airport or Glasgow International Airport also. This is following a report by the Competition Commission into BAA's market dominance in London/South East England and Scotland. Gatwick Airport has since been sold to another management group.

Ownership

Manchester Airports Group is wholly owned by the ten local authorities of Greater Manchester, with a majority share (55%) owned by Manchester City Council; the other nine local authorities own 5% each.

Shareholding details:

• Manchester City Council - 55%
• Metropolitan Borough of Bolton - 5%
• Metropolitan Borough of Bury - 5%
• Metropolitan Borough of Oldham - 5%
• Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale - 5%
• City of Salford - 5%
• Metropolitan Borough of Stockport - 5%
• Metropolitan Borough of Tameside - 5%
• Metropolitan Borough of Trafford - 5%
• Metropolitan Borough of Wigan - 5%

External links

• Manchester Airports Group