Greater Manchester councils invest millions into Manchester Airports Group

Manchester Airport

The local authorities across Greater Manchester have agreed a financial package for the Manchester Airports Group to protect its future following the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the BBC, Manchester City Council will invest around £143m whilst the remaining nine councils, including Rochdale, will each provide £13m to the group, which is part owned by the region's councils.

The Manchester Airports Group (MAG) owns Manchester, Stansted and East Midlands airports.

A MAG spokesman told the BBC that the pandemic has had an "unprecedented impact on the aviation industry".

Councillor Allen Brett, leader of Rochdale Borough Council and cabinet member for finance, said: “The airport is an important part of the Greater Manchester economy, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and helping to make our city region a magnet for trade and investment and an important global player. Our investment in the airport has also generated over £31m over the last 10 years to help to fund vital public services and mitigate to some extent the impact of government austerity measures.

“I am determined to ensure that the borough of Rochdale builds back better, and emerges stronger from this public health crisis. Our business leaders are already looking at how to get back to full production quickly and the airports success is vital to underpin this work as we strive to bounce back from this awful pandemic.

“This support package will allow us to protect our investment, ensuring that we can continue to use the income it produces to underpin key council services and support the long term future of one of Greater Manchester’s most important assets, which will play a major role in the economic recovery of our city region.”