Liverpool John Lennon Airport is seeing rapid growth in new routes and passenger numbers putting transport connectivity back on the agenda with many still asking about the feasibility of a direct rail link. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) is on a rapid upward growth trajectory, putting the issue of future connectivity back on the agenda.
In January LBN revealed that in 2024 the airport broke through the 5m passengers a year barrier for the first time in five years, making it the fastest growing airport in the UK with 21% growth, significantly ahead of its competitor airports.
During the 12-month period LJLA handled 5.08m passengers. This is the highest number since 2011 when it carried 5.3m passengers. It is also the first time it has gone above 5m since 2019 when it handled 5.045m. Its highest ever figure was 5.5m passengers in 2007.
There is little sign of this growth slowing down and with regional transport changes now high on the agenda there is now a window of opportunity to discuss how continued expansion in airlines and passenger traffic can be supported.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves has now indicated that she is ready to fund a new high-speed link between Liverpool and Manchester. As a key driver of economic growth in the city region it would make sense for LJLA and its passengers to benefit from that investment.
Unlike other big city airports, LJLA does not have a direct rail link. However, there are a number of rail and bus options that do work relatively smoothly.
Liverpool South Parkway station is just two miles away and offers frequent bus services that take around 20 minutes to get to and from the airport. Added to this there is the 500 bus which directly links Liverpool city centre with LJLA.
While bus services between Parkway and the airport, operated by Arriva, are frequent and punctual, an ideal addition would be a dedicated shuttle bus to and from the airport that doesn’t take a roundabout route with multiple other stops.
There are also multiple bus stops right outside the terminal building offering services to a number of city region destinations.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has secured £100m from the Government to introduce a fleet of new rapid transport ‘glider’ vehicles that will connect the city centre with the airport and Liverpool and Everton football stadiums.
Similar vehicles already operate on the streets of Belfast. These 18-metre, articulated vehicles can carry around 30% more passengers than an average double decker bus.
They also have three sets of double doors, allowing people to board and alight much more quickly, reducing the time spent at stops. Since the Glider network began operation in Belfast in 2018 it has replaced more than 2.5m car trips.
This is all good news but if LJLA continues to grow at the current rate will this be sufficient to meet the demand?
The gold-plated option would be a direct rail link from the airport to the current main line. Mr Rotheram has been keen to expand the Merseyrail network with his new £500m fleet of trains.
This month Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said he was committed to building a new railway station at Teesside Airport after securing a £1bn funding package. Could Liverpool see something similar?
The area between the LJLA and the mainline is heavily built up. Building a direct link would be both logistically challenging and very expensive. However, as LJLA passenger numbers continue to grow the business case could become more compelling.
In previously published articles around rail connectivity, such as the announcement about a new high-speed line linking Liverpool and Manchester, LBN readers have typically asked “but what about a link to the airport”.
Paul Winfield, director of aviation at LJLA, told LBN: “It has been revealed in the last few weeks that LJLA contributes £340m a year in GVA value to Liverpool city region. We are more than just an airport, we are a regional engine for growth.
“Because airports are almost always located away from urban centres, connectivity is a challenge for most of them. But LJLA is now so important for Liverpool city region’s economic prosperity that we must be at the heart of any conversation about connectivity.
“Our local visitor economy is valued at more than £6bn a year. Events such as Eurovision and the increasing number of major international conferences at ACC Liverpool, mean we need to offer a first class experience to overseas visitors.
READ MORE: Liverpool Airport injects £340m into city region economy
“And, although LJLA’s traffic is primarily leisure, we are also expecting a growing number of business travellers over the next few years, too, as the city region becomes a more attractive prospect for foreign investors.
“The economic benefits of a faster, more reliable rail link between Liverpool and Manchester are obvious and we want to make sure we are part of the conversation when it comes to taking full advantage of that improved connectivity.
“LJLA has established itself as the fastest-growing airport in the UK and the highest rated for customer experience. We are investing heavily in the airport estate, and in particular into the hospitality offering, to make sure we maintain that momentum.”