JLA has strongest scheduled passenger growth

LIVERPOOL John Lennon Airport (JLA) saw the largest increase in scheduled passenger numbers of any UK airport between January and September, according to new figures.

Data produced by aviation industry consultants RDC Aviation 3.9 million people flew from Liverpool, an increase of 5.6%. Of the top 10 airports by passenger numbers only Liverpool, in tenth place, and Bristol, ninth, saw passenger growth.

At Liverpool scheduled numbers jumped by 6%, or 225,526 passengers, but chartered traffic fell sharply by 53% or 17,937 people.

During the nine months Manchester handled 13.8 million customers, down 7% on the same period last year. It is the fourth largest airport by passenger numbers after Heathrow (49.7 million – down 0.5%), Gatwick (24.5 million – down 3.4%) and Stansted (15.5 million – down 7%).

Liverpool said airlines such as KLM, Eastern Airways, easyJet and Ryanair all added services during the period.

Chief executive Craig Richmond said: “Once again its credit to all here at the airport that Liverpool continues to out perform other UK airports including Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and Manchester who have all continued to experience a decline in passenger numbers throughout the year.”

“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.”