Liverpool John Lennon Airport

Liverpool John Lennon Airport represents an international airport that serves North West England. During the outbreak of World War II, the facility was operated by the RAF and frequently referred to as RAF Speke. The property can be found within the City of Liverpool on the banks of the estuary of the River Mersey some 7.5 miles (12.0 km) southeast of the city center. Initially referred to as Speke Airport, the facility was renamed after famous Liverpudlian musician John Lennon of the Beatles in 2001. Scheduled domestic, North African, and European services are operated from the airport.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport

Background Information

Liverpool John Lennon Airport represents an international airport that serves North West England. During the outbreak of World War II, the facility was operated by the RAF and frequently referred to as RAF Speke. The property can be found within the City of Liverpool on the banks of the estuary of the River Mersey some 7.5 miles (12.0 km) southeast of the city center. Initially referred to as Speke Airport, the facility was renamed after famous Liverpudlian musician John Lennon of the Beatles in 2001. Scheduled domestic, North African, and European services are operated from the airport.

From 1997 to 2007, the LPL was one of Europe’s fastest-growing airports, growing annual passenger numbers from 689,468 in 1997 to 5.47 million in 2007. Even though passenger numbers having decreased to just over 4.8 million in 2016, this was an 11.1% increase in the 2015 total, making it the twelfth busiest airport in the United Kingdom. In 2017, The facility served 4.95 million passengers that equaled an estimated increase of 3% compared to 2016. LPL handled just over five million passengers in 2018.

History

In 2001, exactly 21 years after his death, the airport was renamed in honor of the famous John Lennon, becoming the first airport in the UK to be named after an individual. A 7 ft (2.1 m) tall statue stands to overlook the check-in hall. A line from one of Lennon’s song “Imagine”: “Above us, the only sky.” is painted on the roof of the airport as a motto. An exhibition of The Beatles in India’s photographs that were made in 1968 at the Ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, by Paul Saltzman can be found above the retail units in the departure lounge. In 2005, a brand-new apron was constructed exclusively for EasyJet. The apron was built at the east of the terminal with six stands and a pier with six boarding gates.

In September 2006, renovations started on the primary runway and taxiways. This was the very first time the runway had been reconstructed since its opening in 1966. This work was finished in 2007. In addition to runway and shoulder work, took place the upgrade of the 40-year-old airfield group lighting with a new system, designed to upgrade the runway to ILS Category III standards.

Construction

In 2007 construction of a multi-level park and a budget Hampton by Hilton Liverpool/John Lennon Airport started. The hotel opened in October 2009. In June 2010, Vancouver Airport Services proclaimed that it reached an agreement with The Peel Group to acquire a 65% share in its airports, including Liverpool.

In March 2016, Peel sold about a 20% stake in the airport to Liverpool City Council for a reported £12m. This valued the airport at £60m.

A master plan is in place to be finished by 2030, which includes the facility to grow significantly. This renovation will consist of new terminal buildings and the introduction of permanent long-haul services, which will be followed by increasing passenger numbers from 5 million a year to 7.8 million.