Transport for Manchester has started service on Metrolink’s new line to Manchester Airport, 12 months before the planned schedule.
The trams will initially run from the Airport station to the Cornbrook stop every 12 minutes.
In 2017, the trams will be operated through the city centre after the opening of Metrolink’s transformational Second City Crossing.
With this new line, the travel time between Airport and Cornbrook will reduce to 45min and increases the number of trains service between St Werburgh’s Road and Cornbrook.
Manchester Airports Group (MAG) CEO Andrew Cowan said: “Manchester Airport has seen considerable investment made in its ground transport options and the Metrolink will be an important addition to our services, bringing the airport and important projects such as Airport City closer to thousands of residents across Greater Manchester.
“The Metrolink extension is an important part in connecting people to the airport.”
“Our passenger numbers are rising and we are adding more routes to exciting destinations such as Hong Kong and with growth of this scale comes opportunity and the Metrolink extension is an important part in connecting people to the airport.”
The Manchester Airport rail extension was part of 15 transport schemes worth £1.5bn, which Greater Manchester announced in 2009.
This 14.5km extension will leave the South Manchester Line after the St Werburgh’s Road stop in Chorlton and travel along Mauldeth Road West to Sale Water Park through Hardy Lane, creating a new route to the south.