TRAIN services to and from Manchester Airport will be operated by two new franchises as part of the Strategic Rail Authority's rail network reorganisation.
From February, all airport services operated by Arriva Trains Northern and some of those operated by First North Western will become part of the new TransPennine Express franchise which will be run by FirstGroup Keolis.
The operator is a partnership between FirstGroup plc, and French firm Keolis SA.
In the autumn, the remaining services currently operated by First North Western will become part of the new Northern Rail franchise.
The SRA is currently deciding which of two short-listed bidders should operate the franchise and expects to announce the winner this spring.
The shortlisted bidders are FirstGroup plc and Serco/Ned Railways.
Until autumn 2004, First North Western will continue to operate these airport services.
Manchester Airport managing Director John Spooner, described the new franchises as "very good for our passengers and staff."
He added: "Increasingly, people are choosing to travel to the airport by rail and other forms of public transport. That's something we, as a company, encourage through our targets for public transport use by airport staff and passengers through our green commuting plan."
TransPennine Express have pledged substantial investment in the network, with the introduction of a new fleet of 100 mph trains.
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