Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) located in Speke is currently undergoing a change in management with former chief executive Matthew Thomas to join the airport’s previous owner, Canada’s Vantage Airport Group.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport

Thomas’ replacement will be Andrew Cornish whose credentials boast five years’ experience as managing director at Manchester Airport and chief customer and brand officer at Irish air-line Aer Lingus.

Mr Thomas is scheduled to leave his current position at the end of September but remains positive about his time spent at LJLA and is optimistic about his new career opportunity saying:

“Working for Liverpool John Lennon Airport has been a tremendous experience for me and this was always going to be a difficult decision, but having overseen the recent change in ownership and the subsequent smooth transition into The Peel Group, this was a good time for me to pursue new challenges with Vantage Airport Group.”

Andrew Cornish has already voiced his own enthusiasm for the future of LJLA suggesting that he will be working hard alongside staff to maintain and improve standards and performance at the Speke-based airport. Cornish demonstrated his appreciation for the staff of LJLA in a statement saying:

“I am aware that much has been done by the staff at Liverpool to make it one of the UK’s best performing airports operationally.”

With winter approaching Cornish can expect passenger numbers to fall with less flights scheduled for departure, however Cornish is committed to improving LJLA’s popularity by encouraging passengers to make LJLA the airport of choice. The opportunity for growth in the airport still remains if last years’ figures are anything to go by with LJLA handling more than 4.2 million passengers in 2013 with flights to in excess of 50 destinations in the UK and across Europe.

LJLA Chairman Robert Hough came out to thank Thomas for his efforts and good luck in his new career venture saying:

“Matthew has been instrumental in moving the company forward materially during his time in charge and I would like to thank him for all he has achieved.”

Words: Daniel Pearce

Source: The Liverpool Echo