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Astra Group has completed wayfinding signage installation for a £1.2bn transformation of Manchester Airport
Astra Group, a UK full-service provider of signage solutions, has completed a seven-figure wayfinding contract for Manchester Airport.
Astra Group was tasked with designing, manufacturing, and installing new signage throughout the international airport’s new Terminal 2, aiming to make traveller navigation easier and more efficient.
The wayfinding project, delivered by Astra in collaboration with contractors MACE Group and BAM Construction, took two years to complete including design, production, and installation.
The contract saw a significant number of products delivered by Astra spanning the airport approach, forecourt, check in and departure desks, and pier.
The contract forms part of Manchester Airport Group’s £1.3bn transformation of the UK’s third largest airport into a “key global gateway”, with the aim of increasing the number of passengers passing through the transport hub from an average of 2,300 per hour to 7,000.
The wayfinding installations include external gate signage, wall-mounted maps, flight information displays, digital totems, and a full network of internal directional signs, room directories, and lift directories.
Speaking on the completion of the work, Paul Dyke, group sales director at Astra Group, says: “Terminals are dynamic, high-pressure environments and intuitive wayfinding is essential to ensure passengers move confidently and comfortably through the space.
“The most successful wayfinding solutions are those that feel effortless – where signage forms part of a coherent family of elements and sits seamlessly within the architectural vision. The priority throughout was to create a wayfinding experience that genuinely supports passengers – reducing stress, improving accessibility, and contributing to a safe, intuitive journey.”
The terminal’s wayfinding scheme has now been named Wayfinding Scheme of the Year at the recent Sign Industry Awards 2026.
Speaking more about the challenges of the project, Dyke adds: “This was a complex programme with significant technical challenges, requiring an innovative and carefully coordinated approach to ensure full Aviation Security in Airport Development (ASIAD) compliance while aligning with the wider vision for the space.
“We are grateful for the collaborative approach taken by Manchester Airports Group, Mace Group, and BAM Construction throughout the programme. Delivering a project of this scale demanded close partnership and shared commitment, and we’re extremely pleased with the result achieved together.”
Astra Group will exhibit at this year’s PTE World Expo, an exhibition focusing on airport design and development, from March 17th to 19th at London Excel.
With over 400 international exhibitors set to attend, PTE World Expo 2026 will showcase the latest in airport terminal technologies, security, baggage handling, and passenger experience solutions.
