The team at iniBuilds has published the official trailer for their upcoming rendition of Manchester Airport (EGCC) for Microsoft Flight Simulator. This release follows an update from earlier this month where the developer confirmed the project was close to the finish line. Manchester serves as a major hub for the north of England and this release looks to bring the virtual version up to modern standards.
This project represents a significant effort from iniBuilds to capture the current state of the airfield. The developer says that the scenery is the result of a close cooperation with the Manchester Airport Group (MAG). The team visited the actual site back in October for a tour of the facilities. They say this access allowed them to drive down taxiways and service roads to capture references for ground markings and specific equipment placement.
A specific point of interest is the ongoing redevelopment of Terminal 2. The team reportedly gained access to the new pier which is currently closed to the public. This opportunity allowed them to photograph the new ADB Safegate systems and jetways. Consequently, the scenery will feature a 2025 airport layout to reflect these real-world changes.
Beyond the official airport management, iniBuilds notes that the community played a role in the development. They mention working with local pilots, engineers, and ramp staff, who helped verify details such as airside vehicle layouts and signage placement to match daily operations.
The scenery package is set to include:
- Hand-made ground textures for runways, aprons, paths, and service roads
- A detailed landside area with custom decals, signposts, vegetation, and parking infrastructure
- Dynamic airport lighting based on real-world reference
- More than 180 custom models, covering buildings, vehicles, and various airport objects
- Hand-crafted terminals with high-resolution textures
- HD jetways with detailed components
- A full ground layout based on the 2025 airport configuration
- Up-to-date taxiways and stand arrangements
- An official GSX profile included with the scenery
- LOD optimisation across models
- Use of the latest MSFS 2024 SDK features for performance and visual improvements
- Bespoke taxi signage reflecting real specifications
- Full iniManager support for configuration and performance tuning
The new trailer highlights many of these elements, showing updated terminal areas, the Terminal 2 expansion, improved apron detail, and extensive custom modelling across the airport.
While the trailer is now live, pricing and a specific release date remain unannounced. However, the developer revealed that content creators will start streaming the scenery soon, which usually indicates that the release is just around the corner.
