The final phase of the latest development works aimed at further improving the customer experience for departing passengers at Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) has now been completed.

Over £5m has been invested in a phased programme of improvements, which have been underway for the past 18 months and covering an area within the Departure Lounge of around 2,000 sqm.

This latest phase has cost over £2m and delivers an expansion and redesign of the World Duty Free retail area and the addition of a Traveller fashion store.

Works completed last year saw a number of new retail brands start operating, new shops, bars and restaurants open up and the refurbishment and upgrade of the upper floor of the Airport’s Departure Lounge. In addition, 13 new flight information screens were installed throughout the Departure Lounge to keep passengers up to date with their departure.

This latest phase of work has given World Duty Free the opportunity to introduce two of the High Street’s biggest beauty brands to the Airport for the first time with M.A.C. and Jo Malone dedicated areas now included within their store. Similarly, Traveller brings a number of major fashion houses to LJLA, including, Superdry, The North Face and Calvin Klein.

The local economy has benefited from these latest improvements too, with over 50 new jobs having been created at the Airport over the past 18 months, following the introduction of these new and improved retail areas.

Lucy O’Shaughnessy, Liverpool John Lennon Airport’s Commercial Director commented, “These latest improvements have been completed just in time as we enter the busiest part of the year for the Airport, with hundreds of thousands of passengers expected to pass through during the busy summer months.

“Having listened carefully to our passengers, we now believe we have passenger facilities here at Liverpool which are up there with the best of any UK regional airport. When combined with our recognised Faster, Easier Friendlier approach, Liverpool John Lennon Airport now gives a passenger experience second to none.”