Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) in the UK has launched its Strategic Vision 2030 development plan, as well as its 2050 Airport Master Plan, which together set out how the business will move forward and how infrastructure developments will be implemented to help deal with the future increase in passenger numbers.
The airport has seen a 25% increase in passenger numbers since 2014 with five million passengers per year now choosing to use LJLA. Building upon its recent success, the airport 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 (US$142m) 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 economic impact to £625m (US$890m), and will enable it to support more than 12,000 jobs across the city region by 2030.
Robert Hough, LJLA chairman, said, “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.”
John Irving, the newly appointed CEO of LJLA, added, “Prior to joining, 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.”