Manchester Airport's new "super terminal" will finally be opening to passengers this week, just before the school summer holidays start.
The Terminal 2 upgrade, part of the airport's £1bn transformation programme, was actually completed months ago.
Originally the terminal was due to open in summer 2020 but the coronavirus pandemic pushed the date back - reports the Manchester Evening News.
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The terminal was due to open in May and then June, but it will now be opening on Wednesday July 14.
The images and video are a glossy snapshot of a future where international travel might be revived following an unprecedented year for the hub, with job losses, pay cuts and mass take-up of the furlough scheme.
Last week, unions led a protest of airport staff, and even hub bosses, appealing to the Government for more support as an end to the furlough scheme fast approaches and amid fears for the future of the UK's travel industry.
So the new terminal might, for industry insiders, workers and travellers alike, represent a glimmer of hope.
Pictures and video show a light, bright check-in hall with 10 29-metre security lanes featuring the latest technology to aid a speedy route to Departures for passengers.
The Departure lounge, meanwhile, includes a honeycomb light installation - a nod to the Manchester worker bee - with '16 million settings'.
Centre stage is an 81 square metre digital screen showing flight information.
The shops, cafes, bars and restaurants on offer, many hailing from the north, have committed to serving customers at high street prices.
Two airport-operated lounges, with a combined capacity of 400, are based on the upper level with floor to ceiling windows giving passengers panoramic views over the airfield.
Passengers arriving into the hub, meanwhile, will be met by a new immigration facility, four times larger than before. A modern new baggage reclaim will also open, with three of eight new baggage belts operating initially.
This 'staggered launch' means Jet2 and TUI flights will operate from the terminal initially, starting on July 14 and 15 respectively, with other airlines to follow in the weeks ahead.
On Wednesday, there will be just three outbound flights to Menorca, Ibiza and Palma de Mallorca, carrying up to 600 passengers.
On Thursday, TUI, which will be running routes to green-listed destinations including Malta and Madeira, will move in, while Singapore Airlines will launch on July 17.
Further announcements will continue, in terms of both flights and facilities, as the Government updates its traffic light system amid plans to relieve double-vaccinated passengers from the need to self-isolate.
Karen Smart, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said: "It is a proud milestone for our airport as we begin to emerge from the restrictions brought about by the Covid-19 crisis, and an important moment in our 83-year history.
“This project was always about offering the modern airport experience that families and businesses across the North deserve as they travel through their international gateway to the world, and our new terminal certainly delivers on that goal."
She said the pandemic meant they were not able to welcome as many customers and airlines as they would have hoped, but added: "As Government restrictions continue to be eased, and travel to more destinations is opened-up in the weeks ahead, we will be making further announcements about the carriers and retailers operating from T2.
“In the meantime, we look forward to celebrating this milestone and welcoming those who are travelling through the new terminal later this week. I would also like to thank all our colleagues and partners for their hard work and dedication in getting us to this point.”
Initially, Pret-a-Manger, Costa Coffee, KFC, The Amber Alehouse and The Bridgewater Exchange by Joseph Holt will be open to customers.
Archie’s will open its new Terminal Two location on Thursday, as will juice bar VIT, while other venues will open once more passengers start using the terminal.
The space will be 'Covid-secure', with measures including enhanced cleaning.
The six-year project was spearhead by construction firm Laing O’Rourke, alongside partners such as architects Pascall + Watson, design consultancy Arcadis, airfield works contractor Galliford Try, engineering and architectural services contractor Jacobs and baggage contractor Vanderlande Industries.
Bosses have also built a new car park.
'T2 Multi Storey West' was completed in 2019 and, along with the pre-existing 'T2 Mutli Storey East', will be open for passengers from Wednesday.
