LJLA sets out plans for growth through to 2030

Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) has today launched its Strategic Vision to 2030 setting out how it intends to take the business forward, bringing further benefits for the Liverpool City Region, the North West and North Wales.

This strategy incorporates the Airport Master Plan to 2050 which in turn sets out the potential future infrastructure developments required to deliver the forecast expansion of the business and follows last year’s public consultation of the draft Airport Master Plan.

Liverpool is one of the UK’s major regional airports and plays an important role both as an international gateway and as a major driver of the local economy. It is already a large local employer in its own right and through its supply chain, and enhances the competitiveness of business across the region by providing access to international markets and supporting inbound travel.

The Airport has seen growth in passenger numbers of over 25% since 2014 with 5 million passengers per year now choosing to use Liverpool and has the potential to further enhance its economic and social impact across the region.

The Strategic Vision and Master Plan launched today sets out Liverpool John Lennon Airport’s offer to collaborate with key stakeholders across the region to help realise the Airport’s potential and maximise its benefits. With a focus on the passenger experience, industry leading performance and a continued investment in its employees, Liverpool intends to be the Airport the region loves.

Building upon its recent success, the Airport has ambitious plans to serve more destinations including long haul, with passenger forecasts indicating the potential to grow passenger numbers to 7.8 million by 2030. These increases will require a planned investment of around £100m over the next 10 years, in a proposed expansion of the terminal building, additional car parking, passenger facilities including hotels, retail, food and drink services and a potential extension of the runway.

There is also significant potential to grow cargo operations at LJLA, to attract specialist aviation businesses and to develop a cluster of related high quality employment opportunities.

The increase in passenger throughput and investments in the Airport’s physical infrastructure has a potential to increase total annual GVA impact to £625 million, and will enable it to support over 12,000 jobs across the City Region by 2030, benefitting the wider Northern Powerhouse too.

Increased employment both on site and within the Liverpool City Region also has the potential to generate around £270m every year in additional GVA through non-aviation development.

Robert Hough, Airport Chairman commented, “Since investing in the business over 20 years ago, the Peel Group have always believed in this Airport’s tremendous potential and today sees the launch of the latest chapter in what has been a tremendous success story for the Airport and the region.

Liverpool is the Faster, Easier, Friendlier Airport of choice for passengers from across the region, millions of whom now choose to take advantage of flying from an Airport with a relaxed, hassle free environment and best in class operational performance. However we cannot afford to stand still in what remains a very challenging economic and competitive environment, which is why we have set out our strategic vision for the Airport going forward in order to deliver continued success.”

New Airport CEO John Irving commented, “Prior to joining the Airport Company I was well aware of Liverpool’s recent success story and the excellent reputation it has within the aviation industry.

The Peel Group’s continued investment in the Airport has seen Liverpool become one of the UK’s stand-out regional airports. By working with stakeholders from across the region to implement our latest strategic vision, there is every reason to believe that by building on our success, this growth can continue, bringing tremendous economic benefits for the City Region, the North West and beyond.”