Emergency services and Greater Manchester Police closed the upper and lower forecourts of Manchester Airport Terminal 2 on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, following a welfare concern for a man positioned on the wrong side of the upper-storey fencing.
The incident began around 8:00 a. m.
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when authorities were first alerted. The drop-off and pick-up zones were cordoned off around midday, causing severe vehicle congestion on surrounding roadways.
According to the Manchester Evening News, the closure triggered heavy traffic gridlock on Ringway Road West and the southbound M56 approaching junction five.
Some motorists were stationary for over half an hour nearly two miles away from the airport.
Airport officials confirmed that scheduled flights remained completely unaffected by the security operation. Operations at Terminal 3 continued to run normally throughout the afternoon.
To manage the traffic disruption, terminal officials redirected arriving drivers to alternative parking facilities. Marshals were deployed to coordinate passenger movement.
A Manchester Airport spokesperson stated: "Due to a police incident, the upper and lower level forecourts of Terminal 2 are currently closed.
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Those dropping off passengers at Terminal 2 are advised to use the free drop-off area in the JetParks 1 car park until further notice, and to follow the instructions of traffic marshals on site.
Terminal 3 is unaffected. We will provide a further update in due course."
The airport authority subsequently issued a secondary travel advisory with specific geographical instructions and postcodes for drivers navigating the diversions.
The advisory noted that for drop-off, passengers should use the free drop-off area in JetParks 1 car park.
For pick-up, drivers should access T2 West Multi Storey - P3 via Sydney Avenue (postcode: M90 5PR). Terminal 3 remained unaffected.
"Please allow plenty of time for travel to and from the airport. We will provide a further update in due course," the spokesperson added.
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Passengers using the designated JetParks 1 alternative drop-off zone boarded a five-minute shuttle bus service to reach Terminal 2 while police officers remained at the scene.
