There will be 34 European destinations on offer at Liverpool Airport over the festive season but passenger numbers are likely to be down by 90% due to COVID-19. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) will be offering flights to 34 destinations over the festive period but says it expects passenger numbers to be 90% lower than last year.
COVID-19 has decimated air travel across the world with lockdowns and restrictions in multiple countries forcing many flights to be grounded. LJLA chief executive John Irving said 2020 had been the airport’s “toughest year ever”.
In a normal year Liverpool Airport will expect to handle around 5m passengers but the pandemic will mean this year’s figure will be considerably lower. However, since late summer airlines such as easyJet, Ryanair, Wizz Air, Loganair and Blue Air have been reintroducing services and increasing frequencies.
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And over the next month passengers will be able to choose from 34 European destinations. These include Tenerife, Lanzarote, Malaga, Alicante, Faro, Belfast, Amsterdam and Bucharest. Mr 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.
“While 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. 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.”
Liverpool Airport has put stringent measures are in place to reduce the risk of infection in line with the latest Government guidance. Facilities at the airport are gearing up for the increasing numbers of passengers, with a number of airport retailers reopening to enable the purchase of food and drink along with tax and duty free goods.
All the Airport’s on site car parks are also fully operational and bookable via the airport. Quarantine restrictions, which are due to be eased on December 15, are also expected to increase consumer demand over the coming weeks.
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.