Jet2.com has opened a new multi-million-pound engineering hangar at Manchester Airport, a major boost to its in-house maintenance and day-to-day operations. The facility, inaugurated in mid-August 2025, spans more than 6,300 square metres and allows engineers to work on up to three aircraft at once inside the new building, or six aircraft across both hangars located side by side. Built with technical specialist TSL, the project was delivered on time and on budget exactly one year after the previous hangar was demolished, according to company statements issued August 13–16, 2025. As of August 18, 2025, the site is fully active and supporting the airline’s growing fleet at one of its busiest UK bases.
Jet2.com says the added capacity will speed up aircraft checks and heavy maintenance, reduce the need to send jets to third‑party providers, and give planners more control when weather or supply issues strain schedules. That matters at Manchester Airport, where hangar slots are tight and several carriers compete for skilled engineers and space. By expanding on its own footprint, the airline is aiming to keep more work in‑house while backing its route growth through Winter 2025/26 and beyond.
Capacity, construction, and operations
The new engineering hangar sits next to Jet2.com’s existing base at Manchester Airport, creating a single cluster for maintenance teams, tooling, and parts. This setup cuts towing time between bays and lets crews move people and equipment quickly as priorities shift during the day.
Company documents describe the development as a “multi‑million‑pound” investment, part of a wider push to support a larger fleet and busier schedule. Operationally, the new hangar is built to remove bottlenecks that slow aircraft turnarounds. With three bays available in the new building and three more across the combined site, planners can sequence A‑checks, defect fixes, and cabin work with fewer handoffs and less waiting time.
That can mean quicker returns to service for aircraft rotated off the line, supporting on‑time performance and keeping spare capacity available when disruptions hit. The extra hangar floor space also enables deeper checks on older aircraft while new deliveries come online, reducing schedule risk during busy shoulder seasons when maintenance windows shrink.
Construction timeline and delivery
The build followed a tight timeline: the former hangar was demolished, the new one constructed, and doors opened all within a 12‑month window. TSL’s group leadership said its team worked closely with Jet2.com through planning and delivery, stressing that the facility was completed safely, on time, and within budget at Manchester Airport.
For an airline balancing growth and operational risk, meeting both schedule and cost targets is more than a milestone — it helps keep maintenance planning stable heading into peak travel periods. TSL described the brief as a “highly prestigious” facility, and ground teams now benefit from improved lighting, tooling access, and layout design tuned to the airline’s fleet.
Sustainability features
Sustainability measures are built in from the start. Solar panels line the roof, helping to meet the hangar’s power needs and trim the site’s environmental footprint.
Highlights:
– Solar generation to cut daytime grid draw
– Design features aimed at lower long‑term energy costs
– Potential to add sensors and smart controls over time to manage heating, cooling, and lighting
While airlines face the larger challenge of cutting flight emissions, cleaner ground operations and energy‑smart buildings are practical steps carriers can take today. These measures tend to scale across a network as fleets and facilities grow, supporting both environmental goals and operating‑cost control.
Workforce, training, and recruitment
Inside, the facility includes a dedicated Apprentice Training suite with workshops and classrooms. Jet2.com reports it now employs more than 30 engineering apprentices, with structured learning built around live aircraft work.
Benefits:
– Apprentices learn alongside base maintenance teams, accelerating skills development
– Creates a steady pipeline of technicians familiar with Jet2.com’s fleet and procedures
– Supports local opportunities and reduces the need for trainees to relocate
The timing is deliberate: the aviation industry faces intense competition for licensed engineers, and Manchester’s maintenance market is tight. Bringing more training under one roof is a direct response to that pressure. CEO Steve Heapy said the hangar strengthens the company’s maintenance capability and supports growth, and the airline is bringing more engineering colleagues into the business to match demand.
Hiring often sits within a wider policy backdrop. For readers seeking official guidance on work routes that some employers in aviation may use when hiring from abroad, see the UK government’s Skilled Worker visa page: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa. This resource sets out rules, pay thresholds, and employer duties in one place and is the correct source for current requirements.
Industry commentary from VisaVerge.com often explores how large infrastructure projects like this can shape recruitment plans, training needs, and the use of work visas across the sector.
Benefits for passengers, crews, and the airport community
For passengers, the benefits are indirect but tangible. When airlines can fix more issues on base and turn checks faster, there is a reduced chance of last‑minute aircraft swaps or cancellations tied to maintenance delays.
For crews and ground teams:
– Modern, well‑lit workspaces improve safety and consistency
– Better tooling access and layout design speed up tasks
– Onsite training supports career development and retention
For the airport and local community:
– A larger engineering presence supports steady jobs and technical training
– Local students gain clear pathways into aviation engineering without relocating
“More space, more apprentices, and a modern facility will pay off in steady on‑time performance and smoother peak seasons,” reflecting the company’s preference for control and predictability rather than renting third‑party slots.
Looking ahead
Jet2.com’s decision to build rather than rent extra third‑party hangar slots signals a strategic bet on control and predictability. With the doors now open and lines painted on the floor, the impact will become measurable in:
1. How quickly aircraft move in and out of the hangars
2. How often aircraft stay in service when the schedule tightens
3. The growth of the apprentice programme and internally developed licensed engineers
The sustainability angle is likely to expand as well: rooftop solar can be supplemented with more energy management systems to further lower operating costs and emissions. Overall, the facility supports Jet2.com’s route and seat growth into Winter 2025/26 and beyond, while strengthening its long‑term operational resilience at Manchester Airport.
This Article in a Nutshell
Jet2.com’s new Manchester engineering hangar opened August 2025, offering three internal bays and six combined. Built with TSL in a 12-month programme, it adds solar power, an Apprentice Training suite and faster maintenance, aiming to keep work in-house, improve on-time performance and support Winter 2025/26 growth.
