Skipness … I do understand your point, but your comment amply demonstrates that your location is remote from Manchester Airport and the issues which affect the site.
If you were at Manchester Airport you would see the new Metrolink infrastructure which has now reached Manchester Airport Interchange. Services should commence by the end of 2014. Metrolink will be a godsend to a number of airport staff (notably shiftworkers), some of whom read PPRuNe. If you were at Manchester Airport you would see preparations for the fourth 'heavy rail' platform at the airport station. You would also see the new trains which now operate hourly between Manchester Airport Station and Scotland. These alternate between Glasgow and Edinburgh, then link Carlisle and points South to Manchester Airport. Carlisle to Manchester Airport now takes H2.11 with no changes required. All part of the 'Northern Hub' enhancements which also improve access between Manchester Airport and points east of the Pennines beyond Leeds. Hence we discuss trains. Lots of trains.
Ringway is particularly well served by rail, and now tram, services. Indeed, direct rail access from a large swathe of the country is one of its unique selling points (USPs), so it would be difficult for discussions of this form of surface access to be excluded from the thread.
Have always thought that the third and fourth platform at the airport station should have been built simultaneously - it was obvious back then that a fourth would be needed sooner rather than later.
By the way, this is written from a location remote from Ringway, 200 or so miles south south east.
UK Capacity maybe, ah the sweet taste of consenus, but seemingly that only effects LHR so NO we can't discuss on MAN as we are merely a regional, (don't want to infect Westminster policymakers with some pesky expansion up North).
Don’t talk Ringway down, it is an important part of the UK’s aviation structure and the most important apart from Heathrow/Gatwick. It’s much more than just a regional airport.