THE Euro 96 football championships will see a record number of soccer fans using Manchester Airport.

This month, nearly 30,000 football fans from 11 different countries are expected to pass through the terminals to see teams compete at Old Trafford, Anfield, Hillsborough, the City Ground Nottingham, Elland Road, St James' Park, and Villa Park.

Teams from Denmark, Germany, Italy, Russia and the Czech Republic will also fly into Ringway.

Around 200 special charter flights will arrive and depart over 27 days for the Euro 96 tournament.

There will be Euro 96 information booths set up in the arrival halls of both terminals, with multilingual staff on hand to assist with enquiries on accommodation, and transport.

Manchester Airport's chief executive, Geoff Muirhead said: "June will be a very busy month with the bulk of fans who are visiting the UK, arriving at Manchester Airport.

"The airport and the police are experienced in handling football special charters and we are looking forward to welcoming the teams and fans of our European neighbours to Manchester, for the biggest football tournament ever held in the region."

Cllr Graham Stringer, deputy chairman, said: "Euro 96 will clearly demonstrate that Manchester Airport and the rest of the transport system, can cope with the demand when we have a National Stadium. This is a dry run for the Commonwealth Games." Shops, cafes and bars will have extended opening hours to cater for the departing fans after the matches.

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