Passenger numbers up at JLA

AN extra 230,000 passengers used Liverpool John Lennon Airport in 2011 – an increase of 4.5%.

In total, some 5.3m passengers used the airport during the year, making it the third-busiest year in the airport’s history.

Airport chiefs said the peak summer period proved to be particularly important, with 3.6m passengers travelling between April and October as a number of budget airlines added to their summer schedules.

August was the busiest month in its history,with 580,000 passengers travelling through the terminal.

Craig Richmond, CEO of Peel Airports, said: “News of growth in our passenger numbers is a great achievement for the airport and one that all the staff here can be proud of, particularly when we recognise that this remains an extremely challenging time for all involved in the aviation industry.

“The many low-cost flights available from Liverpool means the region’s passengers can still afford to get away on holiday even during these difficult economic times.”