April, 2019. Nearly 2.4m passengers jetted through Manchester Airport's three terminals, destined for Easter city breaks and sun-drenched getaways.
It was a sign of the hub's thriving position as the UK's 'global gateway in the North' - and prime time for its key airlines like Virgin Atlantic, who were preparing to launch a Los Angeles service.
Manchester Airport Group's flourishing profits have always been a bonus for Greater Manchester's councils, which shares ownership with Australian investment fund IFM.
Last year, the total dividend was £192m. A welcome cash injection for councils suffering from a decade of austerity. Flash forward a year and, like so many walks of life - and as is the case for the majority of businesses amid this