UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL - 28TH MAY 2003

A day many aviation enthusiasts will never forget and still refer to as their most memorable for “Spotting” at Manchester Airport. Indeed each has their own story of where they were, what they did and what they saw!

This article reflects back on that “Memorable day in May” through the eyes of enthusiasts and the organisers…..

It was one of those occasions in your career that you never forget. It was about 5 in the evening in the Autumn of 2001 and I was summoned up to the Manchester Airport Group Chief Executives Office (Geoff Muirhead at the time) for a meeting - “Just the two of you” his PA had told me.

Even as Airfield General Manager these things were quite rare occurrences and you naturally start to think what had you done wrong? However, this was not the case and it turned out to be one of those meetings (little did I know at the time) that would be a key element that would eventually help shape the rest of my working career. Without going into too much detail Geoff told me that the City of Manchester in conjunction with Manchester United were putting a bid together to host the Champions League final at Old Trafford in 2003.

This had come about due to the fact that the English National Stadium (Wembley) was being rebuilt. The project had been delayed and wouldn’t be ready in time. Therefore a fantastic opportunity had arisen for Manchester to host the 2003 final. There would be a number of key players to the bid - The City Council, Manchester United, Greater Manchester Police and Manchester Airport. He would like myself (Peter Hampson) to lead the bid on behalf of the airport. This would initially involve a series of meetings to formulate the Council’s bid to the English Football Association and UEFA followed by, if successful, leading a team from the airport to pull together our strategy for the operation of the airport on 28th May 2003 - Potentially the busiest day in the history of Manchester Airport. Whilst knowing this could be a career changing moment, how could I refuse ? The first meeting would be at the Town Hall the next week ….

Over the days and weeks that followed the Manchester bid was put together with each of the participants giving assurances that the tournament guidelines issued by UEFA could be met. As a football supporter (yes, a Manchester United one from an early age) it was a dream job. Meeting frequently at Old Trafford with the back room administration staff that make the club and the machine that is Manchester United tick.

Basically they had to guarantee that they would not only be able to provide the 75,000 seater stadium for the final, but also enough space outside for various high quality corporate events. The novice which I was at the time would say but that’s something they do every other week. However, it soon became very apparent that the UEFA Champions League Final was a lot more than that. In fact it was to be the biggest sporting event in the year 2003 with no Olympics or World Cup taking place that year.

The game could potentially involve two non English clubs, thus at least 80,000 people travelling to Manchester (including press, organisers and staff - many of whom would never enter the stadium. The Police had to guarantee the safety of all concerned inside and outside the stadium, The City Council had to give 100% support to staging the event guaranteeing different types of Ground Transport day, night and into the early hours of the following morning. All categories of hotels, medical facilities and areas put aside for fan zones from the opposing teams.

From the Airport it was a given that at least 80,000 people would possibly use the airport - the majority within a period of 24 hours, (160,000 in and out). This would include fans from the 2 teams, VVIPs (Heads of State), Chief Executives from the major Sponsors and of course the Media from all corners of the globe. In addition each of the European and World Football associations are represented and each of the clubs participating in the event (from the first round) are allocated tickets. As such a significant number of Executive Jets and private Charter flights would need to be accommodated within a very short time period.

Of course all of this on top of the airports normal schedule and charter flights - in the peak period - School holidays in May! This would effectively double the normal airliner traffic together with a significant number of exec jets - the likes of which Manchester had never seen before. Each element had to be self funded by the participant - major investment would be required to meet the various demands. Yes, the returns could be big, but they could also be pretty small, if for example the final was to involve 2 British teams - it could be Man United v Arsenal?

The Manchester bid, including the guarantees from the airport were duly submitted to the English FA and onward to ‘UEFA. Another meeting with the CEO had taken place with the final words as I left the room still echoing in my ear “You won’t let us down will you Peter?” - “Of course not Geoff”… I said, realising that I was facing a huge dilemma as a Manchester United fan and a massive aviation enthusiast… to say nothing of my job!!

The bid to UEFA was accepted. We had just under two years to plan - The Champions League Final was coming to Manchester and the scene was set for the airports busiest day or was it? Everyone at the airport started to sing the same tune “the final was going to be Man United v Arsenal” - the challenge now was to get people engaged and invest into something which may or may not happen at the airport?

There were 3 key issues :-

1. We did not know which teams would reach the final and therefore how many passengers or aircraft would use the airport. In fact we would only have this information 2 weeks before the event. (The Semi finals are played 2 weeks before the final)

2. We had to ensure that despite a doubling of capacity of Manchester Airport that the airlines and passengers currently using the airport did not suffer delays or the worst case scenario - the airport would grind to a halt (which had happened before at other European airports)

3. We had to develop a strategy for maximising the capacity of the airport for a short time period and within safety limits, yet minimise spend and maximise commercial opportunities - not only meeting the business needs of the airport and its partners but those of the City and UEFA.

… I needed a team of very good people to support me at the airport. Each of whom I could rely on to deliver the goods and win over the growing negativity of “we can’t invest in equipment or people for something that will never happen”. But if we didn’t invest and speculate we will never capture the goose that could lay the golden egg?

Let the planning begin!

The Team was pulled together. Each member would be responsible for a particular key area of the airports operation and be able to meet not only our objectives but those of the City and UEFA. But lets not deceive ourselves, this was going to be a high risk game!

Over the coming months literally hundreds of meetings would take place. We had to win people and companies over to engage and invest.

The Champions League final would be taking place at Manchester. It was the little things that started to make a difference - being a football fan who attended Champions League matches I knew only too well about the drama and excitement that took place at these games together with the pomp and ceremony that went with it prior to the match. This included the waiving of a large football flag, the shape of football in the centre circle prior to Kick Off - I had an idea of obtaining a number of these from UEFA and deploying them at key points around the airfield. All staff and each passenger arriving and departing from the airport would see them.

Something big was happening at Manchester Airport… we got the Media engaged at an early stage. They loved it!

From an Aviation Enthusiast perspective we had a choice to make. We knew the event could attract lots of very interesting aircraft but also it could attract thousands of enthusiasts. It could be the busiest day ever for aircraft but if not managed properly the enthusiasts visiting the airport could block the surrounding roads and fields which were needed to ensure the parking of Coaches and extra staff / equipment. Do we encourage or discourage? Of course we encouraged and involved enthusiasts in our planning - a special Aviation Enthusiast Team was established. The new AVP would be expanded. Open top buses brought in to see above the fence lines and an airside area for photographers created. The top of the T1 Multi Story Car Park would also be made available for spotters. We would not stop people going Southside but would encourage them to go to the official “Fan Zones” created for aviation enthusiasts.

Access to the Southside was to become a key part of our aircraft parking strategy - utilising part of the Runway and several taxiways for aircraft parking - with a coach and service equipment park being created at the hotel and on the A538. Thus passengers arriving “Southside” would be bussed to the Football fan Zones and stadium direct - thus avoiding the Terminal. Aircraft with their own steps eg - MD 80’s would be parked on R2.

The parking plan was immense - several had to be developed as until 2 weeks before the event we did not know which teams would be playing and as a consequence which aircraft. Significant liaison was also to take place with NATS and Eurocontrol - developing special airways for Manchester Football flights. The worst case scenario from an airspace perspective was for two teams from the same country, as there could well be significant congestion with demand exceeding capacity - this wouldn’t happen would it??

We were developing several new key “remote” areas throughout the airfield. Any space we could park aircraft SAFELY we would!

All taxiways would be utilised. DOUBLE and even TRIPPLE PARKING on stands would be facilitated.

Anything that wanted to come to Manchester would do. Extra ATC staff were brought in and trained on procedures for the day.

Desk top exercises were organised utilising a number of computer based scenarios with different numbers of pax and aircraft.

The Terminals plan was so detailed, different teams - separate terminals. Extra Security staff and x-ray equipment would be brought in from other airports.

Massive Coach Parks were developed away from the airport site to take fans to the fan zones and stadiums.

Presidents, Royalty and the Worlds “movers and shakers” had given us notification that they were going to come to Manchester for the final.

Extra fuel bowsers,steps,ground power units,aircraft chocks were brought in from other airfields.

The preparations were taking shape - over 500 extra staff were trained and prepared for work at the airport. This was a Mega event!

Well, as we now know Man United and Arsenal were both knocked out of the competition. Man United being knocked out in the quarter final by Real Madrid. Everyone said it was going to be Madrid v Milan in the final at Old Trafford. But football is a funny old game - In a strange twist Real Madrid were knocked out in the Semi Final.

The stage was set AC Milan were to play Juventus FC (both teams from the same country!!). Manchester was to become Milan for the day. The airport was going to get its busiest day…

“Welcome to Manchester for the Champions League Final 28th May 2003…”

A big thanks to all the staff who made this a very special day. One that each and every one of us will never forget.

Thank you to the following photographers who have submitted photos for this “Blast from the past” extra large!:- Ian Howarth, Glenn Wheeler, Paul Jongeneelen, Rick Ward, Stuart Prince,Dave Kirkham,Paul Rowbottom,Greater Manchester Police Air Support Unit. More to follow…If you have a special photo from this special day? - Send to tasmanchesterphotos@gmail.com

P.S.

Oh yes - That career changing moment?

Within a year of organising the event at Manchester Airport myself and colleague (Debbie Riley - who headed up the Airfield and Enthusiast teams for the Manchester Event) decided to leave the airport and establish the Aviation Consultancy and Training company - Airport Solutions. One of our first contracts was with UEFA to assist airports and UEFA with the planning of future Champions League and Europa League Finals. This was quickly followed by the Euro Tournaments. In no time at all we were engaged by the International Olympic Committee for the Olympic Games and FIFA for a number of World Cups….

Peter Hampson.