Manchester Airport is to get a dramatic £1bn transformation, the M.E.N. can reveal - with a super-sized terminal and faster high-tech security lanes.

Said to be the biggest single construction project ever to take place in Greater Manchester, the 10-year scheme will more than double the size of Terminal Two and link it to an improved Terminal Three.

Ageing Terminal One will be demolished.

Meanwhile bosses aim to slash off-peak security queues to just five minutes.

Doubling the number of airport jobs to 40,000 within 30 years and adding 10m annual passengers in just a decade, the move bolsters Manchester’s battle for the government to recognise the true worth of regional airports and underlines Manchester Airport’s place at the heart of George Osborne’s ‘Northern Powerhouse’.

Among a range of high-tech changes will be a scheme to pre-clear American immigration in Manchester.

The latest technology will help passengers ‘flow’ through the airport, speeding up peak-time security from 15 to 10 minutes.

Passengers will have automatic bag-drops, and access to instant information on their phones.

There will be at least 50 food and drink outlets, more stands for aircraft and better links for connecting passengers.

The project is also aimed at attracting airlines and adding new long-haul routes to Asia and the east and west coasts of America.

Plans are now in the final stages and work is due to start next April, with a goal of Terminal Two completion by 2023.

By 2022, Terminal One, which was built in 1962, will be phased out.

By 2050, its hoped 55m passengers will use the hub every year, more than doubling the current 23m.

Charlie Cornish, chief executive of Manchester Airports Group, said: “Without doubt, with this level of investment Manchester will become one of the most modern and customer focused airports in Europe, demonstrating the importance of Manchester as a global gateway. It demonstrates that it’s more that just being about Heathrow or Gatwick.”

He described the revamp as a ‘modern facility geared around a high level of customer service, stress-free, hassle-free with modern technology and communication’.

He said HS2 and the east-west rail connections of HS3 were central to the scheme, adding: “We’re setting out how the airport will contribute to the development of a Northern Powerhouse and demonstrating the dynamic, can-do spirit that sums up the region.”

As M.A.G is part-owned by Manchester taxpayers, return from the investment will go directly into services.

Mr Cornish added: “In the long-term, the development not only creates jobs and therefore economic development for the region but in the longer term will lead to enhanced dividends falling down to shareholders.”

The £1bn project, funded by fast-tracking investment plans alongside borrowing, will include more than 60 changes all on the airport’s current footprint.

Mr Cornish promised ‘minimal disruption’ to passengers by working around terminal activity and only ‘knocking through’ at the 11th hour.

He vowed to work with the local community to mitigate disruption.

He said creating more car parking space was integral to the plans.

Manchester Airport, which already serves more than 70 airlines and 210 destinations, brings £1.8bn to the regional economy every year, employing 20,000 people and supporting a further 25,000 jobs.

It is already the only airport outside London with direct routes to Miami, Hong Kong, Jeddah, Singapore, Atlanta, Washington and Boston.

With current runway capacity, Manchester Airport has the potential to serve 55m passengers a year - at a time when capacity in the UK is at a premium.

Christian Seymour, from IFM Investors, 35.5pc shareholders in M.A.G, said: “As one of the largest airport operators in the UK, M.A.G has an outstanding track record of successful airport management.

“Since acquiring our stake just over two years ago, we have been delighted with the progress the Group has made in terms of implementing its capital investment plan and growing passengers and revenues. Of particular note is the turnaround M.A.G has achieved at London Stansted, transforming it into the fastest growing major airport in the country in just two years.

“M.A.G’s airports across the UK have a key role to play in meeting the country’s aviation capacity needs and today’s announcement is a strong signal of the company’s commitment and ambition to deliver on that.”

In summary: What the transformation will mean to Manchester Airport

A transformed Terminal 2 expanded by 140 per cent with a direct link to a revamped Terminal 3 - taking potential passenger capacity from around 25m to 50m.

New airside transfer facilities so passengers can walk directly from aircraft to terminal.

Links so connecting passengers don’t have to leave the buildings.

Improved and automated bag check-in and faster security.

A new US pre-clearance facility so passengers can get through immigration, customs and agricultural inspection before boarding their flight.

Around 50 food and drink outlets.

More stands and piers for aircraft.

Improved infrastructure around the airport with good links to the £800m Airport City.

What's good for the airport is good for Manchester

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester city Council, says the Manchester Airport expansion will be the ‘biggest single construction project Greater Manchester has ever seen.”

He added: “Manchester Airport plays a vital economic role in the region in which it serves. Its annual passenger numbers last year topped a record 22 million and it provides jobs for 20,000 people on site and a further 25,000 indirectly.

“Greater Manchester and the rest of the North West is increasingly competing on an international stage and an airport that is better suited to serving these global aspirations will significantly improve the impact the region can have in attracting inward and outward investment, helping it to realise its full economic potential and create further jobs and opportunities.”

What the airlines say

Carolyn McCall, Chief Executive, easyJet said: “Manchester Airport’s vision offers a range of opportunities for easyJet which will directly benefit our passengers’ experience and our operations at the airport.

“easyJet is committed to long term growth at Manchester Airport and the programme offers us an excellent opportunity through which to achieve this over the next decade. We look forward to working closely with the airport to maximise the design and implementation from both an airline and passenger perspective.”

Laurie Berryman, Vice President UK, Emirates said: “Emirates is delighted that Manchester Airport is committing to the £1 billion redevelopment programme. Emirates will be celebrating 25 years at Manchester later this year and now operates three daily services to Dubai and beyond two of which are operated by the iconic Airbus A380.”

Gallery: See how the airport has changed over the years below: