MAG to inspire 70,000 young people about careers in aviation over the next five years, as it launches new Sustainability Strategy

• UK’s largest airports group aims to inspire next generation of aviation professionals
•  Group is on track to meet its target of net zero carbon operations by 2038
•   Manchester Airport’s Youth Forum learnt more about the Strategy with Mo T the Airport Guy, one of the government’s Aviation Ambassadors, at launch event
• The UK’s largest airports group has today set out bold plans to drive sustainability and create a diverse pipeline of talent for the aviation industry.

Over the next five years, Manchester Airports Group (MAG) will deliver programmes for 70,000 young people, with the aim of inspiring them about a career in aviation and educating them about the work the sector is doing to hit net zero by 2050. To support its engagement activities, MAG was awarded over £84,000 as part of the 'Reach for the Sky Challenge Fund' to also deliver a series of inspiring career festivals  to attract the next generation into the sector.

The commitment forms part of the Group’s new five-year Sustainability Strategy: Creating a sustainable future for all , published today. It has two pillars: Protecting our Environment and Community at our Core, under which the young people target sits.

MAG – which owns and operates Manchester, London Stansted and East Midlands Airports and digital travel services business CAVU – has been running pioneering grassroots education and skills programmes in its catchment areas for more than a decade, offering initiatives for young people at every stage of their education.

On-site education centres - Aerozones – unique in the UK - are free for local schools and colleges to visit, offering interactive sessions for pupils aged four to 18, focused on careers in aviation.  

The Group also has partnerships with local further education colleges that provide aviation-related apprenticeships and pre-employment programmes to jobs seekers at the on-site Academies. In 2018 MAG opened Stansted Airport College – the UK’s only further education facility based at an airport, delivering aviation courses, in partnership with Harlow College.  

To mark the publication of the new Strategy, 12 members of Manchester Airport’s Youth Forum were challenged to produce social media videos that bring the Strategy to life. They were supported by aviation content creator, Mo T ‘The Airport Guy’, who is also a Department for Transport Ambassador, with a passion for promoting excitement about careers in the industry.

MAG established Youth Forums at each of its airports in 2023 to engage with a younger generation about the future of aviation sustainability. Across the last 18 months, the Forums have played a central role in creating the new Strategy, as part of MAG’s comprehensive materiality assessment to ensure that the targets in place reflect the issues which matter most to those living closest to its airports.

As well as focusing on skills development, the Strategy also sets out clear and ambitious targets focused on decarbonisation, nature conservation and community engagement. These include:

·       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

·       Generating £20m in sales for local small and medium sized businesses through MAG’s Meet the Buyer programmes by 2030

·       Investing a minimum of £1.5m in local communities by 2030

The new 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 for more than two decades.  MAG was a founding member of industry body Sustainable Aviation (SA) in 2005 and continues to play an industry leading role as SA’s Chair and member of the Government’s Jet Zero Taskforce.

MAG has also been named a Financial Times European Climate Leader for the fourth time in 2025, recognising its efforts to to reduce emissions.

It is also the first time that CAVU – MAG’s digital travel services business – has featured as part of the Groups’ sustainability plans, since its formation in 2022.  Creating a sustainable future for all includes targets that apply specifically to CAVU’s global operations in the US, Europe and Australia, such as:

·       Eliminating all single-use plastics from CAVU’s global airport lounges, replacing all items with reusable alternatives by 2027

·       Introducing a CAVU Community Fund, supporting local causes close to office locations in the UK, US, the Netherlands and Australia

·       Measuring and reporting on what proportion of CAVU’s supply chain spend is with local suppliers for lounge operations

MAG CEO Ken O’Toole said: "As the UK's largest group of airports, with operations spanning the country and a growing global presence, we take our responsibility to creating a sustainable future for our industry very seriously.

“Our new Strategy is an evolution of the effective sustainability programme which has been part of the fabric of how MAG operates for more than 20 years.

"With more than 70% of the UK population living within two hours of one of our airports, we are uniquely placed to drive positive change in communities that span the length and breadth of the country through our pioneering education and skills offer. That is why it is pleasing to set such a bold target to support the educational enrichment of 70,000 young people over the next five years.

"We are also committed to playing a leading role in the work to decarbonise our business and the wider aviation sector. Working collaboratively with industry and Government partners we are moving towards our net zero targets that will reduce the impact of our operations on the environment and allow our industry to continue growing sustainably.

“I am proud to publish our Strategy today, confident it works to meet our emissions reduction and net zero targets, supports the education, skills and employment of thousands of people, and ensures we continue to be a force for good in our local communities. All of these things are fundamental to creating a sustainable future for our business and everyone that interacts with it."

Aviation Minister Mike Kane MP said:

“It’s fantastic to see key players like MAG training up the next generation of aviators to take up roles such as pilots, engineers and controllers, helping to secure the long-term future of the sector.

“I also welcome the new sustainability plan which will not only help people fly greener over the coming years but will also pump money back into local economies and support jobs across the country.”