Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has announced plans to reopen its private terminal which had been mothballed since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The facility is located south of the main terminals next to the Runway Visitor Park, and originally opened in November 2019 under the name PremiAir.
But it closed its doors just a few months later due to Covid-19, and has stayed shut for nearly four years.
MAG subsidiary CAVU – which also operates the rebranded Escape and 1903 lounges at Bristol Airport – has now confirmed that the terminal will reopen on 4 November under the new name ‘aether’ (god and personification of the upper sky in Greek mythology).
Reservations will open on 6 June, with customers able to access a waitlist registration page here.
Aether is partnering with BMW to offer customers a chauffeur service from the private terminal to designated gates in either a BMW i7 (featuring a 32-inch TV screen), a six or seven seater BMW X7, or BMW XM.
The facility will also offer a dining menu created by Mancunian Adam Reid, Chef Patron of Adam Reid at The French which is located within The Midland Hotel in Manchester.
There are three entry options:
- Express: from £90 per person for those with hand luggage only, and including complimentary light refreshments. Guests can arrive up to 75 minutes before departure (and must arrive at least 60 minutes before departure)
- Inclusive – Cabin Bags: from £150 per person for those with hand luggage only, and including a full a la carte dining experience. Guests can arrive up to three hours before departure (and must arrive at least 60 minutes before departure)
- Inclusive – Checked Bags: from £170 per person for those with checked luggage, and including a full a la carte dining experience. Guests can arrive up to three hours before departure (and must arrive at least two hours before departure)
Note that the checked bag option is currently only available for passengers departing with British Airways, Brussels Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Hainan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, SAS and Virgin Atlantic.
The Inclusive options are also available for travellers arriving into the airport, with customers being chauffeured from their aircraft to the private terminal building, and benefitting from private passport control services and any checked luggage being brought to them.
The terminal will be open daily between 0400 and 2200, for flights departing from 0500 (for Express customers), and from 0600 (for Inclusive customers).
For more information on aether, including travel and parking options, visit experienceaether.com.
Commenting on the news Martin Jones, CEO of CAVU, said:
“The launch of aether marks a pivotal moment in our mission to redefine airport travel. Building upon the success of our existing lounges, we recognise the rising demand for premium yet accessible airport experiences. aether fills this gap, elevating the airport’s premium travel offerings.”
The news comes as Manchester Airport recently reported record passenger traffic for the sixth consecutive month.
