JLA continues to fly high, with greatest increase in passengers of any UK airport

Latest analysis of UK airport passenger traffic flows shows that Liverpool John Lennon Airport (JLA) had the largest increase in passenger numbers of any UK airport in the first third of this year compared to the same period in 2009.

A comprehensive report produced by well respected aviation industry consultants RDC Aviation, contains the latest analysis of UK passenger traffic flows as reported by the UK CAA up to April 2010. Liverpool was shown to be just one of only six UK airports in a list of 50, to see any growth in passenger numbers between January and April.

89,050 more passengers used JLA over the period – the greatest increase in passenger numbers seen by any other UK airport, up 6.4% on the previous year. In terms of scheduled passengers, Liverpool now moves into 8th place in the league table of busiest UK airports with almost 1.5 million passengers having used the airport by the end of April.

The additional services now being operated by airlines such as KLM, Eastern Airways, easyJet and Ryanair, in comparison to the same time last year, have all contributed to this current success.

To accommodate the growing passenger numbers, work on a £12m development program continues. The recent phased opening of a new passenger security screening area in July gives more space for passengers and uses the latest generation security equipment. Expansion of the Airport’s departure lounge is also taking place, bringing a number of new and exciting retail developments and high street names to the Airport for the first time and is due for completion by late Autumn 2010.

Peel Airports’ newly appointed CEO Craig Richmond commented, “To think that Liverpool is growing its passenger numbers by more than anyone else in the UK with airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester continuing to see a decline in passenger numbers is yet another milestone for JLA.”

“We recognise that the recession isn’t over and that Liverpool, like all UK airports will no doubt have some tough months ahead, however, by continuing to work in partnership with our airline customers and improve our passenger facilities, we remain confident that JLA will be well placed to grow its business further as we come out of the recession”.

Iain Smith of RDC Aviation commented, ”When looking at what’s happening across the UK, our latest research clearly shows that Liverpool John Lennon Airport is bucking the trend when it comes to growing its passenger throughput.”