Festive getaway begins as more flights return at LJLA

The year 2020 has been a year like no other for everyone and business at Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) has been badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, with the latest national lockdown over, flights are now returning ahead of the festive season and the region’s passengers have the opportunity, once again, to jet off and still enjoy the run-up to Christmas and the New Year by flying to a host of destinations direct from Liverpool.

While passenger numbers are likely to be around 90% lower than last year, flights will be operating to 34 destinations over the festive period with easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Loganair and Blue Air reintroducing services and increasing frequencies on others.

Passengers are expected to head off for some long overdue Winter sunshine or to meet up with friends and relatives, to destinations including Tenerife, Lanzarote, Malaga, Alicante, Faro, Belfast, Amsterdam and Bucharest.

Passengers can continue to take advantage of Liverpool’s boast of a ‘Faster, Easier Friendlier’ experience, while reassured that comprehensive measures are in place to reduce the risk of infection in line with the latest government guidance.

In addition, facilities at the airport are gearing up for the increasing numbers of passengers, too, with a number of airport retailers reopening to enable passengers to purchase food and drink in line with government restrictions, along with tax and duty free goods from the World Duty Free store.

All the airport’s on -ite car parks are also fully operational and bookable.

Quarantine restrictions which are due to be eased on December 15, are also expected to increase consumer demand over the coming weeks, with those passengers arriving from non-exempt countries able to book a private COVID-19 test to reduce the time needed to self-isolate to just five days after they return.

The airport is also looking at an on-site COVID-19 test centre specifically for passengers, which is expected to be announced soon.

LJLA chief executive, John Irving, said: “This has been the airport’s toughest year ever, however, we look forward to welcoming back a growing number of passengers in the run up to Christmas and during the festive holiday period.

“Whilst the COVID-19-secure airport environment means the way passengers move through the terminal is different to normal, our faster, easier, friendlier customer experience remains the same and we hope to be able to help make Christmas 2020 as enjoyable as possible for those travelling on holiday or to meet with friends and relatives.”