Manchester Airport has bagged itself a new trick. Airport hospitality brand Marhaba has officially landed in the UK, kicking off at MAN with a full-on meet-and-greet service.
Think fast-track immigration and security, lounge access, a porter for your bags, and a friendly face to guide you through the airport maze. Essentially, it is airport travel with a side of Arabian hospitality.
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From Dubai With Love
If the name rings a bell, that is because Marhaba first launched back in 1991 at Dubai International. Born from dnata (the Emirates Group’s travel and air services arm), the service was designed to welcome weary travellers with a simple promise: stress-free airport navigation.
Since then, marhaba has spread its wings across eight countries, layering in extras like chauffeur transfers, baggage handling, and access to 400+ lounges worldwide. That includes their own branded lounges in places like Melbourne, Manila, Zurich, and, of course, Dubai, alongside partner spots via Plaza Premium.
Manchester’s Turn
So what’s in it for Manchester? According to dnata, Marhaba’s debut here means smoother journeys for anyone arriving, departing, or transiting late-night flights, including. Bookings are live now if you fancy testing it out on your next trip.
Clive Sauvé-Hopkins, dnata’s airport ops boss, framed it as “bringing Arabian warmth” to UK skies while doubling down on dnata’s already chunky presence across UK catering, retail, and airport services.
Why It Matters
This is not just about a posh meet-and-greet. It is part of Manchester Airport’s wider facelift. Over the last few months alone, we have seen:
- A new retail space and security hall in Terminal 2
- Plans to revamp Terminal 3
- A new barrierless pick-up and drop-off system
Manchester is clearly angling to become the North’s gateway with extras that rival Heathrow. And now, with marhaba in the mix, it just added a splash of Dubai-style polish.
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