Liverpool Airport in 2050: LJLA unveils ‘ambitious’ masterplan for future expansion

Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) is setting out a vision for developments and continued expansion as far in the future as 2050.

Unveiled in its updated Airport Master Plan as part of a four-week public consultation, which starts from Monday (June 26), the airport has plans to connect the North West with even more destinations.

LJLA said its annual passenger figures have the potential to leap from 4.8m in 2016 to 7.8m by 2030 and 11m by 2050.

To accommodate the growth, LJLA wants to invest in a proposed expansion of its terminal building, create additional parking spaces and ramp up its offer with new hotel, retail, food and drink services. It would also seek to extend its runway.

Cargo operations likewise have the potential to grow, attracting specialist aviation companies and developing new employment opportunities.

The Airport Master Plan outlines how investment in LJLA’s infrastructure could increase its annual GVA impact to £625m and the total number of city region jobs it supports to 12,280 by 2030.

The plan also considers the proposals’ environmental effects and the measures needed to minimise any adverse impacts.

It is believed that despite the increased activity, overall noise will be reduced as improvements in technology continue to result in quieter aircraft and tighter flight paths.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport’s strategy director, Mark Povall, said: “Our ambitious plans will help LJLA to maximise its contribution to the regeneration and renaissance of Liverpool as an international city and play a key role in the economic growth of the Liverpool City Region and across the Northern Powerhouse.

“We aim to be the airport of choice for business and leisure travellers from across the North West and North Wales by growing the range of destinations, expanding our passenger facilities and continuing to offer a Faster Easier Friendlier service to all our customers.”

He continued: “Through our growth we also want to continue to be good neighbours. We are holding a series of consultation events to explain the physical changes proposed under the Master Plan to 2050, and to reassure communities that noise controls and improvements in airline technology, will ensure an overall reduction in the areas impacted by noise from airport operations.”

Speaking further, Mr Povall said LJLA will listen to the views of all locals, passengers and stakeholders who will be impacted by its plans.

He added: “All comments made during the consultation period will be carefully considered and will inform the final Master Plan, which we hope to publish later this year.”

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