LJLA still tops UK airport growth league table

Latest analysis of UK airport passenger traffic shows that Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) has seen the largest increase in scheduled passenger numbers of any UK airport for the period January to September 2010, compared to the same period in 2009.

The latest publication of data produced by well respected aviation industry consultants RDC Aviation, contains analysis of UK passenger traffic flows as reported by the CAA up to September 2010. For the year to date, over 225,000 additional scheduled passengers chose to use LJLA compared to the same period last year – the greatest increase in scheduled passenger numbers of any UK airport during this period.

LJLA has continued to be the top UK airport for growth in scheduled passenger numbers for most of this year and this news comes despite seeing the significant loss in business during the New Year snow and ice disruption and the six day closure of UK airspace caused by the Icelandic volcano ash cloud in April.

The Airport was shown to be just one of only eleven UK airports in a list of 50, to see any growth in passenger numbers between January and September and the second fastest growing UK airport with passenger growth of 5.6%.

In terms of scheduled passengers, Liverpool remains in eighth place in the league table of busiest UK airports in 2010, with almost four million passengers having used the Airport by the end of September.

Additional services operated during this period by airlines such as KLM, Eastern Airways, easyJet and Ryanair, in comparison to the same time last year, have all contributed to this success.

Work on a £12m development program at the airport is now nearing completion in order to better accommodate the needs of airport users. Developments have included the opening of a new passenger security screening area and expansion of the Airport’s departure lounge, bringing a number of new and exciting retail developments and high street names to the Airport for the first time.

Peel Airports’ CEO Craig Richmond commented, “Once again its credit to all here at the Airport that Liverpool continues to out perform other UK airports.”

“Whilst we recognise we now have a difficult few months ahead as we enter the quieter Winter period, it is pleasing that for most of the year we will have been at the top of this particular league table.”