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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Paul Britton

Four grand Venetian chandeliers graced Manchester Airport's T1 for more than 40 years... now one is returning

They hung over the heads of holidaymakers for more than 40 years, adding a touch of glitz and glamour into getaways from Manchester Airport.

Four grand Venetian chandeliers graced the airport's Terminal 1 - each one weighing a staggering two tonnes. The magnificent ceiling features - once a centrepiece of the airport's departures hall - were taken down in 2003 under modernisation work at the terminal.

But today, as Manchester Airport celebrates its 85th birthday, bosses have announced one will return and be hung inside the revamped T2 hall.

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The airport has teamed-up with Manchester Metropolitan University for a project that will see one of the original pieces of glassware brought back to life. A series of designs will be created, with passengers being given the chance to vote on their favourite.

It will then hang in T2's redesigned departure hall, which is due to open in 2025.

Each one weighed two tonnes (MEN/MAG)

Containing 1,300 pieces of crystal between them, the chandeliers have been in storage for years. One of them on display at The World of Glass Museum in St Helen's and it was announced in 2010 that another was destined for Manchester's Museum of Science and Industry.

The news will delight passengers of a certain age who remember the inspiring chandeliers from holidays of the past.

The 17ft chandeliers were designed by Royal architect Stefan Buzas and hand blown by glass maker Bruno Zanetti at the Venini factory in Murano, Italy, at a cost of £3,000 each. They were officially unveiled when the late Prince Philip opened the terminal in October 1962.

Their design was altered in 1987 with the coloured glass drops taken out and they were moved from the centre of the departure hall to the side, before later being cleaned of nicotine stains and dust by a team of 16 men.

Prince Philip (Manchester Airport)

The airport, meanwhile, has kicked-off a series of celebrations to mark its 85th birthday, which include a prize draw with free flights to destinations all over the world.

The first-ever flight from what was then known as Ringway Airport - to Amsterdam with airline KLM - took off on June 27 1938, two days after it officially opened its doors.

At the time the airport opened, King George VI was on the throne and Neville Chamberlain was Prime Minister. Preston North End narrowly missed out on winning the Football League while Manchester City were relegated - a start contrast to their treble-winning exploits this year.

Chris Woodroofe, Managing Director of Manchester Airport, said: "We are proud to celebrate 85 years of connecting this region to the world, and it is fantastic to be joined in marking this occasion by many of the airline partners who have helped Manchester Airport grow into the UK’s global gateway in the North.

They were taken down in 2003 (MEN/MAG)

"Manchester Airport is already the UK's largest airport outside London but we are intent on improving the passenger experience. Our £1.3bn Transformation Programme is due to be completed in 2025 and will give us the platform to compete with other major European airports for routes to new destinations, which will, in turn, attract inward investment to the wider region."

The airport will this year sponsor Manchester Day, which will take place in the city centre on July 29 and include a pop-up holiday-themed interactive zone on Deansgate, with funfair-style games and entertainment.

The public will also be able to enter a huge competition for the chance to win free tickets to exotic destinations like Las Vegas, Dubai, Beijing, Paris and Toronto as part of a £20,000 prize draw giveaway.

The Las Vegas package, worth more than £3,000, includes a three-night stay in a hotel on the world-famous Las Vegas Strip and two complementary tickets to a Cirque du Soleil show.

Other prizes include free executive lounge access, free meals at selected airport eateries, Duty Free vouchers, Champagne tours of the iconic Concorde at the Runway Visitor Park and airport goody bags.

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