From 1960s Landmark to Modern Centrepiece as Manchester Airport Revives Its Famous Chandeliers in Terminal 2

(NEWS) MANCHESTER, UK, 2026-Mar-26 — /Travel PR News/ — For many travellers passing through Manchester Airport over the decades, the chandeliers of Terminal 1 were more than just decorative features — they became part of the ritual of departure, quietly embedded in memories of holidays and homecomings. Now, years after their removal, those same chandeliers are returning, though in a form that reflects both the airport’s past and its evolving identity.

As part of the airport’s £1.3 billion redevelopment of Terminal 2, the historic Venetian chandeliers have been reinterpreted into a large-scale installation that will soon welcome passengers moving from security to the departure lounge. The new piece, titled Atmospheric Reflections of the North, transforms fragments of the original design into a contemporary artwork shaped by collaboration and public input.

According to details shared by the airport, the installation is made up of 517 individual elements, each incorporating glass droplets taken from the original chandeliers. These are suspended beneath colourful parachute-like forms, arranged in clusters that resemble shifting cloud formations — a visual nod to northern England’s weather as well as the region’s industrial heritage.

The redesign was led by Denton-based artist Liam Hopkins of Lazerian, working alongside students from the Manchester School of Architecture. The concept was informed in part by public consultation, with local residents contributing ideas about how the North’s identity, landscape, and atmosphere could be reflected in the final design.

Beyond its aesthetic role, the installation also carries historical references tied to the airport itself. The parachute-inspired forms acknowledge Manchester Airport’s use as a training base for the Parachute Regiment during 1940, while the materials and detailing — including aluminium hexagonal tags and brass commemorative markers — draw on the region’s industrial legacy.

Each of the 517 droplets will feature a small tag recognising individuals and organisations involved in the long-running transformation of Terminal 2, which has been underway for more than a decade. The installation is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

The original chandeliers date back to the opening of Terminal 1 in the 1960s. Designed as part of the terminal’s architectural concept by Stefan Buzas and crafted by Italian glassmaker Bruno Zanetti at the Venini factory in Murano, they remained in place until they were removed during refurbishment works in the early 2000s.

The decision to bring them back in a reimagined form was first announced during the airport’s 85th anniversary, reflecting an effort to balance heritage with the design language of the modernised Terminal 2. The new terminal has been positioned as a key part of the airport’s long-term strategy to enhance passenger experience while increasing capacity and efficiency.

The unveiling also drew attention from government representatives, with Aviation Minister Keir Mather visiting the site alongside airport managing director Chris Woodroofe during the installation process. Both were among the first to attach commemorative tags to the structure.

While the transformation of Terminal 2 has largely focused on infrastructure and passenger flow, the return of the chandeliers highlights a different dimension of airport redevelopment — one that leans into memory, place, and identity. For travellers passing through in the months ahead, the installation offers not just a visual centrepiece, but a reminder of how travel spaces can carry stories across generations.