Connecting to destinations across the world, Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) has revealed that it is re-establishing its hub link with Amsterdam.
From September 7, regional airline Flybe will offer up to three flights a day from LJLA to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, these will depart early morning, lunchtime and late afternoon.
The airlines available to passengers for onward travel will be announced shortly, but flights are expected to coincide with onward connections at Amsterdam to destinations such as New York, Bangkok, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai and Toronto.
At present, Flybe’s Liverpool departures are to the Isle of Man and Belfast City, with the airline operating 120 weekly flights to and from Liverpool. With this link to Amsterdam being re-established, bosses at LJLA are elated after disappointment when Dutch airline, KLM, withdrew its Schiphol hub connection in 2012 following a cull of its route network.
The airport believed that, at the time, the route was just starting to gather momentum.
Liverpool city region’s tourist economy is set to benefit from a connection to such a hub, alongside benefits to travellers from Merseyside and North Wales, tourists from around the world will have easier access to the region.
Merseyside will also be seen as a more attractive option to companies looking to invest in or relocate to the region.
The announcement was last night welcomed by Liverpool’s elected Mayor, Joe Anderson, who said:
“Our ambition is to make Liverpool a national and international destination for visitors and investors alike.
“The route to future markets depends on our connectivity, so re-establishing the connection to Amsterdam opens up a vital gateway to our future prosperity.”
The success of the route is also determined by a factor known as “interlining”. This is where passengers can simply walk onto their connecting onward flight without having to check in their luggage a second time.
Andrew Cornish, chief executive of LJLA, said:
“The importance of this route should not be underestimated and this is a big commitment by Flybe. Their decision to connect with flights at Amsterdam will open up global access to and from the Liverpool city region.
“As well as giving business and leisure passengers the convenience of being able to their start long-haul journeys from their home airport, it will also bring a further boost for the region’s tourism offer and inward investment opportunities.”
Exeter-based Flybe operates 180 routes to 65 European airports, carrying more than 7m passengers a year, and is Europe’s largest regional airline. It was launched in 1979 and once owned by steel tycoon, Jack Walker, who also owned Blackburn Rovers FC.
The carrier’s chief commercial officer, Paul Simmons, added:
“Flybe is delighted to play a part in making it possible for Liverpool customers to access the world through Amsterdam and, just as importantly, make it easier for the rest of the world to come to Liverpool.
“The airline already has a number of codeshare and interline arrangements with long haul carriers that in the future has the potential to benefit passengers even further.”
Also showing support for the news, Jenny Stewart, chief executive at Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce chief executive, said:
“This announcement will open up excellent opportunities for business travel to new export markets.”