MAG celebrates five years of aviation-themed classroom and shares progress on sustainability work in new report
- Aviation Minister congratulates UK’s largest group on work to inspire next generation
- Manchester Airport Aerozone welcomes 10,000th pupil five years after opening as part of £1.3bn transformation
- Milestone comes as MAG published its annual Sustainability Report, reflecting on its 2020-2025 Strategy: ‘Working together for a brighter future’
An interactive classroom created through the £1.3bn transformation of Manchester Airport has inspired 10,000 young people about aviation careers in five years.
The success of the Manchester Aerozone is one of the highlights of MAG's five-year Sustainability Report, which outlines the work delivered by the UK's largest group of airports to benefit communities, protect the environment and create opportunities for people of all ages.
The Report - Working Together for a Brighter Future - was released today and reveals MAG has supported more than 52,000 people into training or employment since 2020 and given more than £2m to local causes.
Across its three airports - Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands - it has created £18m of business for SMEs in all parts of the UK through a programme of Meet the Buyers events.
Environmentally, MAG has reduced its scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions by 37% over five years and in the last 12 months 99.8% of waste was from landfill.
MAG released its 2024/25 Sustainability Report as it celebrated the fifth birthday of its Manchester Aerozone, a state-of-the-art classroom that welcomes primary, secondary and college students every day of the academic year. MAG has Aerozones at all three of its airports.
To mark the occasion, pupils from Outwood Primary School, Cheadle, Stockport, joined a celebration event, who were also the school in attendance when the facility was opened by Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.
They heard from Lewis Hulmes, who secured a two-year placement working at the Aerozone while studying at Manchester College. He now works as a Customer Service Ambassador. They also heard from Ryan Clarke who attended the Manchester Airport Academy in 2012 and now holds the position of Airside Manager for ABM, the airport’s assisted travel provider.
MAG CEO Ken O’Toole said: "I am proud to release our five-year Sustainability Report and reflect on the wide range of successful and innovative initiatives we have delivered to reduce our emissions, inspire the next generation of aviation professionals and have a positive impact on the communities surrounding our airports.
"There is no better example of that than the Manchester Aerozone, which demonstrates how the investments we make in our infrastructure leave a lasting legacy for generations to come - as we near completion of the £1.3bn transformation of the airport, it is pleasing to see the 10,000th young person pass through its doors.
“As a major employer across the North, Midlands and South, MAG has a significant role to play in providing skills and employment opportunities for surrounding communities, stimulating regional and national economic growth.
“Our new Sustainability Strategy: Creating a sustainable future for all will ensure that we continue to focus on the most important sustainability issues for our stakeholders. That includes the transition to net zero carbon operations by 2038 and working with industry and Government to reach net zero aviation by 2050.
“I would like to thank colleagues across MAG for their hard work and commitment in the delivery of a successful Strategy and I look forward to what positive developments lie ahead.”
Aviation Minister Keir Mather, said:
“Alongside our Aviation Ambassadors who promote careers in the sector, projects like the Aerozone raise awareness of routes into aviation, giving young people valuable opportunities that inspire long-term careers.
“This is an important milestone for accessible, high-quality education in Greater Manchester, and I congratulate Manchester Airports Group on their work to help build a skilled workforce fit for the future and deliver our Plan for Change.”
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Manchester Airport is a key part of our growth ambitions for Greater Manchester. It provides highly skilled jobs for residents and the Aerozone does great work in inspiring young people that there is a route to quality jobs in our city region.
“It’s positive to also see the airport continuing its commitment to sustainability, contributing to Greater Manchester’s carbon neutral ambitions.”
Council Leader Cllr Bev Craig said: "Manchester Airport is a major economic driver for the city and a big employer in its own right. The Aerozone is a great example of how it connects with the community, inspiring our young people to learn about and even go into careers in the aviation industry.
"It's one of many ways in which the airport supports our communities and businesses.
"Manchester Airports Group is also demonstrating leadership in reducing its own carbon emissions and encouraging the global drive to reduce the emissions associated with air travel."
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward said:
“East Midlands Airport is an excellent example of an industry-leading employer investing in its future workforce, from encouraging interest in the sector at a young age through the Aerozone, to offering training and work experience which develops skills and leads to meaningful employment, through its Academy and cadets programme.
“These are exactly the types of programmes I want to see more of. Supporting people to develop skills and secure better-paid jobs is a cornerstone of my newly launched East Midlands Growth Plan.
“I look forward to working with East Midlands Airport in the coming months and years to help deliver on this commitment.”
Chair of Stansted Airport College Advisory Board, Robert Halfon said:
"As Chair of Stansted Airport College Advisory Board, I am proud to be part of one of the most unique colleges in the country - the only Aviation specialist College inside an airport - thanks to the foresight and strong backing of MAG.
“The College is just one example of how MAG is leading the way in creating a sustainable future for the aviation industry, as this new report sets out.
"Due to the hard work of staff, the College has outstanding outcomes for its students, with well over 90% achieving good outcomes, whether it be additional education, an apprenticeship, or skilled employment.
"The College is both at the forefront of technology, whether it involves immersive or augmented learning, or AI, but is also a champion of social mobility. Its offering of everything aviation related, from Aircraft Engineer to Cabin Crew is vital for the Aviation Skills our country needs".
The Group marked a number of additional milestones across the Strategy’s three strategic priorities: Zero Carbon Airports, Opportunity for All and Local Voices between 2020-2025, these included:
· London Stansted’s Aerozone welcoming its 25,000th pupil earlier in 2025
· Permission granted for a 14.3MW solar farm at London Stansted
· More than £400,000 awarded to schools across the UK as part an EcoGarden competition
· A Jet Zero curriculum launched at all three MAG Aerozones to educate young people about decarbonisation
· Youth Forums set up at Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands to give young people a voice in planning the aviation sector’s future
· New Noise Action Plans launched at all three airports
· Retained a five-star GRESB ESG rating and named an FT European Climate Leader for the fourth time.
To read the report, click here.
Notes to editors:
MAG launched its new Sustainability Strategy: Creating a sustainable future for all, in May this year setting out its two core pillars: Protecting our Environment and Community at our Core.
The new five-year strategy builds on the significant progress the Group has made to create a more sustainable aviation sector and enhance the lives of its local communities.
The strategy sets out clear and ambitious targets including:
· Transitioning to net zero carbon (scope 1 and 2 market-based emissions) operations by 2038
· Ensuring 30% of MAG’s electricity will be supplied from renewable sources directly connected to its airports by 2035
· Supporting more than 70,000 young people in the next five years through its educational programmes and initiatives
· Investing a minimum of £1.5m in local communities by 2030