In some ways, the obvious use for an Airport station would be for business and other users from leafy Cheshire, and possibly North Wales, who could travel to London centre without having to go into Manchester to catch HS2.
Interesting comment, so those who say that HS2
won't suck even more economic activity to London are being economical with the truth?
As it seems the advent of HS2 would lead to less ordinary fast trains from Stockport, Wilmslow and Macclesfield, a station south of Manchester would be needed. Whether that justifies the particular route for HS2 and a station at the Airport is more debatable.
Why is this the case, this it would lose Manchester-London pax, but Stockport/Wilmslow/Macclesfield traffic still need access to points south as does Stoke traffic. If these pax have to faff around getting to a parkway at Ringway or to Crewe, then the journey is no quicker on HS2 and the advantage is lost. Also, don't forget pax ex-Stockport/Wilmslow/Macclesfield and Stoke headed for Rugby, Milton Keynes, Watford, etc..
Don't forget that one of the rationales for HS2 is to get some of the existing trains off the congested WCML southern section to free up capacity there for additional services from places south of Brum into London .
The current WCML operation is the rail equivalent of today's LHR. If line capacity was available, the WCML would already be handling far more services per day than is currently possible. There is already an identified need for substantial increases in intra-regional and commuter services along the line which simply can't be contemplated based upon capacity as it exists today. And then there is freight: the rail freight industry would love significantly increased access to the line. The advent of HS2 will take the bulk of inter-city passenger demand off the WCML, but be assured that the WCML won't be left under-utilised.
One of the original ideas was that trains on the classic lines that happen to be non-stop south of Crewe, Stafford or Stoke would join the HS2 line near Lichfield. That is how paths are freed up on the congested part of the WCML between Rugby and London.
The reallocation of paths on the existing WCML is the true unappreciated prize of the HS2 project. This process would be an immense boost to the economy.
Indeed, that's why there will
not be a reduction of capacity on the WCML.
Would a Ringway HS2 station suck airline pax from MAN to LHR?
That is $60 question. Can't see that those who currently fly MAN-LHR (on BA and VS (for now)) would bother because they are checked at MAN to the final destination. Taking the HS2 would mean lugging baggage and a change of trains at Old Oak. Why have the hassle?
On the other hand, would a Ringway HS2 station suck airline pax from BHX to MAN bearing in mind that there are no BHX-MAN flights?