Manchester Airport ranked as UK's fourth most child-friendly airport
A new study on the UK’s top 10 child friendly airports has placed Manchester Airport in fourth place.
The study, conducted ahead of the annual half term break, asked 1,000 families to score the UK's 10 major airports. Several family friendly factors were taken into consideration, including children's food options, the security process and play areas.
Manchester Airport scored a healthy 6.95 out of 10 and beat the likes of Gatwick, Stansted and Luton airports.
Julie Armstrong, Manchester Airport’s Director of Customer Services, said: “We know how stressful it can be keeping children occupied whilst you are at an airport, which is why we have a range of family friendly facilities to try and help.”
The airport has two free soft play areas in Terminal's 1 and 2 and a wooden activity centre at the Runway Visitor Park, where the Concorde is positioned.
Manchester Airport’s restaurants offer kid’s meals and packs. Their executive lounges have child friendly facilities, including a free guide for families who are travelling with an autistic child. The guide can be downloaded from the Manchester Airport website.
“We want holidays to start at the airport, so having a safe, stimulating and interactive place for youngsters to play is one way we can help," concluded Ms Armstrong.
Beating Manchester Airport in the list, the top three airports consisted of Liverpool, Glasgow International and Edinburgh Airport, with Edinburgh Airport taking poll position.
At the other end of the scale, the study by Skyscanner, Europe's leading travel search site, saw Heathrow come bottom of the list. The UK's busiest airport, carrying more than 69m passengers each year, was criticised for its overcrowding, small seating areas and lack of children’s play areas.
Gatwick, which is the UK's second busiest airport carrying more than 33m passengers each year, came fifth after it initiated a number of family friendly facilities last year. The airport’s accessibility and healthy eating options helped to secure its mid-way position in the top 10.
Top 10 Family Friendly Airports (out of 10)
1 Edinburgh 7.26
2 Glasgow International 7.18
3 Liverpool 7.13
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4 Manchester 6.95
5 Gatwick 6.91
6 Luton 6.76
7 Birmingham 6.76
8 Stansted 6.69
9 Bristol 6.56
10 Heathrow 6.53
For further details on Manchester Airtpoert’s Autism guide, see link http://www.manchesterairport.co.uk/manweb.nsf/Content/TravellingwithChildren
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