Paul Staples

Liverpool John Lennon Airport

Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) is one of the UK's longest established operational Airports having been officially opened on 1st July 1933. LJLA is situated seven miles South East of Liverpool City Centre and adjacent to the River Mersey. The Airport is part of The Peel Group, a leading infrastructure, transport and real estate investment company in the UK, who first became involved with the airport in 1997 and who have since made significant investments in the business. Passenger numbers have increased almost ten-fold since the mid-1990′s, with the Airport moving from 20th to the 12th busiest airport in the UK. In March 2016, Liverpool City Council acquired a stake in the airport in the form of shares with the investment used to further improve facilities for passengers and airlines and maximise the opportunity for the Airport and City Region to be a key gateway for the Northern Powerhouse. Liverpool was the UK's first airport to be named after an individual when it was rebranded in 2001 as a lasting tribute to the Liverpool born, former Beatle, John Lennon, with the new terminal opened by Her Majesty the Queen in 2002. Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) currently handles over 4.8 million passengers per year with flights to over 60 destinations in the UK and across Europe. Over the past 2 years, 22 new services have been announced to 20 new destinations, bringing over 100 additional flights per week. Going hand in hand with the recent expansion of routes and airlines, has been a recognition and commitment to further improve passenger facilities in order to enhance the customer experience. In recent years £2.5 million has been invested in terminal improvements alongside a greater engagement with customers to improve the passenger experience and to create the Airport our region loves. Almost £4m is being invested in additional terminal improvement works that are currently underway to enhance this experience further. LJLA is recognised for its relaxed, hassle free environment and best in class operational performance and is the Faster, Easier, Friendlier Airport of choice for passengers from across the region. Passenger numbers have grown by almost 10 fold since the mid 1990's firmly establishing the Airport not only as a gateway for Merseyside but for the North West and North Wales as a whole. The Airport is also one of the area's major employers, attracting inward investment and bringing significant tourism benefits, helping to boost the region's economy. LJLA is a significant driver of prosperity in the region and the North West and North Wales as a whole, bringing an estimated £440 million per annum in GVA and supporting 12,000 jobs across the Northern Powerhouse region.