Low cost airline Ryanair has announced a new winter route out of Liverpool John Lennon Airport and will begin flying to one of Europe’s most beautiful capital cities. Tony McDonough reports

Ryanair has announced its fifth new route out of Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) in the last six months.

From November 2021, the carrier will fly twice-weekly to Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. Flights will begin on November 2 and will depart on Saturdays and Thursdays through the winter season.

This latest announcement is another vote of confidence in Liverpool Airport from Dublin-based Ryanair. In the last few months with the latest being a new flight to the Greek island of Kos announced just two weeks ago.

The aviation sector has taken a battering due to the COVID-19 pandemic and LJLA chief executive John Irving said 2020 had been the airport’s “toughest year ever” due to multiple lockdowns.

It is hoped that later this week the Government will announce the the easing of COVID-19 restrictions from May 17 that will allow people to fly to foreign destinations. Regional airports such as Liverpool can ill-afford another ruined summer season.

Stockholm comprises 14 islands and more than 50 bridges on an extensive Baltic Sea archipelago. The cobblestone streets and ochre-colored buildings of Gamla Stan (the old town) are home to the 13th-century Storkyrkan Cathedral, the Kungliga Slottet Royal Palace and the Nobel Museum.

Paul Winfield, Liverpool Airport’s director of aviation development, said: “International travel restrictions are set to be lifted shortly. Throughout the pandemic we have continued to plan ahead with our airline partners, remaining confident that passengers will return to international travel over the coming weeks and months.

“This latest news from Ryanair of their further commitment to Liverpool is more great news for travellers from across the region with a direct link from here to Sweden for the first time in many years.”