[1] The plan will follow an airport city model with the aim of stimulating the Greater Manchester economy by creating on-site logistics, manufacturing, office and leisure facilities.
It will be one of the largest property development schemes in Greater Manchester alongside MediaCityUK and NOMA, as well as in the United Kingdom.
China's paramount leader Xi Jinping, alongside former UK Prime Minister David Cameron, visited the Airport City development in October 2015 as part of his state visit to the United Kingdom.
In March 2011, the site was selected as an enterprise zone, offering lower business rates to attract investment in the area.
[3] The development was renamed MIX Manchester in May 2024, with a stated refocus on laboratories and research facilities in addition to office space.