MANCHESTER Airport is gearing up for a bumper summer of sport.
The coming months promise to be action-packed with Euro 2024 followed by the Paris Olympics and big events in tennis, motorsport, boxing and American sport.
As the North’s global gateway, the airport links passengers to more than 200 destinations.
Chris Woodroofe, managing director of Manchester Airport, said: “We’re proud to connect the North, helping people to get to the places they want to visit.
“With such an action-packed summer of sport ahead of us, that means fans travelling to see their favourite teams and athletes are on to a winner.
“The airport is heading into the summer in good form, with record-breaking passenger numbers and more than 93 per cent of our guests getting through security in under 10 minutes.
“So sports fans flying from Manchester can be sure of a gold medal experience.”
This summer’s UEFA European Championships in Germany will be a festival of football, with England and Scotland both in action.
Manchester is the only UK airport outside London with direct flights to each and every city that could host an England game.
More than 100,000 fans are expected to fly from Manchester during the tournament.
The Three Lions kick off in Gelsenkirchen with their first group match against Serbia on June 16.
Fans can reach the ground in 45 minutes on public transport from Dusseldorf airport, to which Eurowings offers direct flights from Manchester.
The Paris Olympics run from July 26 to August 11, followed by the Paralympics from August 28 to September 8.
Manchester has direct flights to two airports in the city – Paris Charles de Gaulle and Paris Orly – ensuring plenty of options for fans wishing to cheer on British medal hopefuls like sprinter Zharnel Hughes, gymnast Max Whitlock and Wigan’s Keely Hodgkinson.
Other events will be taking place elsewhere in France, and again, Manchester will provide a link for fans.
From football in Bordeaux, Nice and Lyon to sailing events in Marseille – all of which have direct flights from the northern hub.
The Paralympics follow, with Mancunians Dame Sarah Storey and Amy Truesdale among those vying for gold.
Three of four Grand Slam tennis events take place this summer and all of them can be reached with a direct flight from Manchester.
The French Open at Roland Garros runs until 9 June.
Manchester’ connectivity with Paris will make it easy to see stars like Novak Djovovic, Naomi Osaka and Brit Cameron Norrie.
Wimbledon gets underway on July 1 in what is expected to be Andy Murray’s swansong at the All England Club.
Fans travelling to London from the North West can be in the capital in just an hour on BA’s service from Manchester to Heathrow.
New York’s Flushing Meadows will play host to the US Open from August 26 to September 8.
Flights depart daily from Manchester to New York JF.
For MMA fans, Irish superstar Conor McGregor’s return to the Octagon at UFC 303 is the talk of the town.
After three years away, he takes on Michael Chandler on June 29 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Earlier in June, Virgin Atlantic will launch its new service from Manchester.
With the Formula One season hotting up, defending champion Max Verstappen will be looking to tighten his grip on top spot in the drivers' championship standings.
The races are set to come thick and fast but F1 fans in the North West can take their pick of which to attend, with direct flights to no fewer than seven Grand Prix this summer.
The Spanish Grand Prix on June 23 can be reached by flying to Barcelona with easyJet, Jet2.com, Ryanair or Vueling.
Followers of the Austrian Grand Prix on June 30 can travel to Vienna with Austrian Airlines or Ryanair.
The Hungarian Grand Prix on July 21 can be reached by flying to Budapest with Jet2.com or Ryanair.
F1 fans can get to the Belgian Grand Prix on July 28 by flying to Charleroi with Ryanair.
The Dutch Grand Prix on August 25 can be reached by travelling to Amsterdam with easyJet or KLM.
Anyone wishing to see the Italian Grand Prix on September 1 can fly to Milan-Bergamo with Ryanair.
Motorcycle racing fans hoping to watch the Isle of Man TT, which runs until June 8, could reach the island with easyJet and Loganair.
American Football aficionados awaiting the start of the new NFL season, which kicks off on September 5, can fly to a range of cities direct from Manchester.
Basketball fans looking forward to the NBA Finals from June 6-23 could also travel stateside to watch a game.
As the major league baseball and ice hockey also reach the end of their seasons, followers may wish to see their favourite teams in action should they reach the finals.
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