A new play area has been opened at Manchester Airport to entertain children before they board their flights.

The Little Flyers Zone is located in Terminal 1 and has been designed for children aged 12 and under.

The area features play equipment for children aged 12 and under and will help families start their holidays at the airportThe area features play equipment for children aged 12 and under and will help families start their holidays at the airport (Image: Supplied)

It was opened in time for the half-term holidays and features a range of play equipment, including slides, interactive games, musical activities, and climbing equipment.

The free-of-charge area is part of the airport's Little Flyers Club initiative and aims to help families have a stress-free start to their holidays at the airport.

The play area is available on a first-come-first-served basis, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.

The new play area has already 'proved popular' as families jet off on half-term holidaysThe new play area has already 'proved popular' as families jet off on half-term holidays (Image: Supplied)

Jennifer Byrne-Smith, customer operations director, said: "Airports are always exciting places to be – particularly when you’re going on a family holiday.

"But customers have told us they would love something to keep little ones occupied before they board their flights.

"That’s why we’ve opened the Little Flyers Zone – it will help children aged 12 and younger pass the time before their flight while having fun and getting some exercise."

The zone has been designed for children aged 12 and under and will be relocated when Terminal 1 closes next yearThe zone has been designed for children aged 12 and under and will be relocated when Terminal 1 closes next year (Image: Supplied)

The Little Flyers Zone was opened with a special event featuring two of the airport’s Little Flyers mascots, Finn and Casey, who were there to meet young travellers.

The Little Flyers Club is a group of mascots based on lost luggage, who feature across a range of activities around all three of Manchester Airport Group’s (MAG) airports.

The zone will remain in Terminal 1 until it closes next year as part of the airport’s transformation programme.

The Little Flyers Zone features slides, interactive games, musical activities, climbing equipment and moreThe Little Flyers Zone features slides, interactive games, musical activities, climbing equipment and more (Image: Supplied)

The transformation programme is set to be completed in 2025, with more than 70 per cent of passengers set to use the new Terminal 2.

The first half of the new terminal opened in 2021, and the second phase is 'on track to open next year.'

Last month, the airport announced a range of new shops and food and drink outlets set to operate in the second phase of Terminal 2.

The area was opened to the public in a special event featuring two of the airport’s Little Flyers mascots, Finn and CaseyThe area was opened to the public in a special event featuring two of the airport’s Little Flyers mascots, Finn and Casey (Image: Supplied)

These include a dedicated Chanel beauty outlet, a Lego Store, Pandora, a JD Wetherspoon pub, and the Great Northern Market Hall.

As part of the project, Terminal 1 will close, and the number of airlines operating from Terminal 3 will be reduced to make the new terminal 'the heartbeat of the airport.'