Given jet2 are 17 based at MAN, up to 25 wouldn't be beyond the realms of possibility. Look at it this way:
-the new hangar means 'off site' parking for up to 6 aircraft, 4 in the hangar and 2 outside. I understand this has also been sanctioned by MAN. So, straight off the bat, that's 6 stands freed up.
-bringing long haul into the equation as to why it would be hard to expand isn't the problem being made out to be.
Long haul in the bulk starts arriving from 0700 (yes, there are a few earlier flights, but the bulk arrives from 0700 onwards). This means the first wave short haul is mostly gone by the time the long haulers need the stands. Then, the long hauls are gone by the time the second wave hits. Repeat for the evening and there's the pattern.
Very few long haul aircraft require stands overnight in the same way short haul does. It's just the odd TCX/VS/TOM aircraft that require an overnight stand, hardly an issue.
So, extra based Jet2 not as ridiculous as it sounds.
-as a note, it may be a while off but there is also plans afoot to add more remote parking where the AVP currently is. Somewhere in the region of 15 stands for B737 sized aircraft. The AVP is moving south side near the fire station, with only Concorde, Trident and the DC-10 nose making the move over.
This shows plans are to increase overall stands, but this will be a seperate phase to the T2 development plans. May happen alongside the T2, may happen after, but, money has been set aside to allow the plans.