Airport jet-setters could check in at rail station (From Warrington Guardian)

Airport jet-setters could check in at rail station

HOLIDAYMAKERS could soon be checking in for flights at Crewe Railway Station under a scheme to cut waiting times at Manchester Airport.

Remote check-in desks could be included in the multi-million-pound revamp plans for the town's station, detailed in the county council's Local Transport Plan 2006-11.

Under the proposals, jet-setters would check in at the railway station and use the time before boarding to make their way to the airport by train, rather than spend time at the airport.

There are currently trains running between the station and the airport on an almost hourly basis, and airport bosses are particularly keen to set up the scheme to promote public transport use.

A spokesman for the airport said: "Manchester Airport has an aspiration to develop remote check in facilities as part of its long term strategy.

"Crewe is one of a number of key rail stations that could develop an airport presence, however this would be dependent on a range of factors, including industry support and the availability of appropriate facilities and infrastructure."

Crewe Rail Gateway is the second-highest priority in the county's Local Transport Plan.

Michael Ross, senior officer for transport co-ordination, said Manchester Airport was one of the pariticipants in designing the scheme.