Airport scraps barriers in multi-storey car park

Manchester Airport is scrapping barriers and pay stations in one of its multi-storey car parks, with parking payments moving online, by phone, or via an app.

The airport brought in a barrierless system for its express drop-off and pick-up zones last year.

Terminal 2 West car park P3 will become barrierless on 25 March.

A Manchester Airport spokesperson said the change would "make people's journeys quicker and easier"

"With no barriers on entry or exit, there's no need to stop, queue, or use an on-site pay station," they added.

Manchester Airport has been operating with a barrierless system in its drop-off and pick-up zones since the end of March 2025.

But P3 at Terminal 2 will be the first short to medium stay car park, which means up to 10 days, to go-barrier free.

The airport said the change was designed to improve congestion at the car park's exit.

Payment will follow the same structure as has been running at the express drop-off and pick-up zones - with vehicle number plates automatically scanned on arrival and exit.

On exiting the carpark, drivers must pay for their stay by midnight the next day -either online, via phone - using the number displayed on Manchester Airport's website - or via a pre-registered app.

According to Manchester Airport the Auto Pay app is the easiest way of paying.

The airport has said by pre-registering with the app, charges will be paid automatically from the user's chosen payment account.

The airport added: "Barrierless parking is already widely used across Greater Manchester and beyond and many drivers may already be familiar with it.

"Clear signage and signs and step-by-step guidance will be in place throughout the car park to help drivers use the new system with confidence."

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