Ryanair’s increased investment at Liverpool John Lennon Airport is helping drive passenger growth, create skilled jobs and strengthen regional connectivity, according to senior leaders from the airline and the airport.
00:00For many travellers passing through Liverpool Airport, the change over recent months has been easy to see.
00:07More routes on offer, busier departure halls and new facilities appearing across the terminal.
00:11According to Liverpool John Lennon Airport, the rise in activity is being driven in part by Ryanair's growing investment.
00:18We've announced that we will be using an additional aircraft, a sixth aircraft in Liverpool, from the start of summer 26, which is April.
00:26And also three very exciting new routes to Tirana, Marrakesh and Warsaw.
00:31So very, very good news this morning.
00:33We're also increasing frequencies on lots of popular routes like Madrid, Milan, etc.
00:39The airline's chief commercial officer, Jason McGuinness, has been outlining Ryanair's latest developments and its long-term plans for Liverpool.
00:47He says the company's expansion is increasing aircraft capacity, strengthening operations and supporting the airport's wider ambitions for growth.
00:54It is now a very competitive landscape in terms of European aviation at the moment.
00:59And one of the big problems we do have in the UK at the moment is our UK APD, or the Departure Penalty Tax, which is increasing from £13 to £15 from the start of April.
01:11Now, that increase may seem relatively small, but when you put that £15 in context of Ryanair's average fare across the winter season at £30, it puts the maths into perspective.
01:23He was joined in those discussions at the Museum of Liverpool by John Irving, the airport's chief executive, who's explained how the partnership is helping to improve regional connectivity and deliver economic benefits across the city region.
01:37For us as an airport and a city region, to have a partner like Ryanair putting their faith in us, and that is what it is with a sixth-based aircraft, the most I've ever had here, is amazing news and it's something that we're really excited.
01:51But we know we have to deliver on it and that's important.
01:54Mr Irving made the point, which I think will resonate with a lot of people, that when you arrive in a new city for the first time at the airport, the first thing you look for is a train, a subway, and Liverpool does not currently have that.
02:10Look, I think it's probably the biggest thing we miss out on as an airport.
02:13We have got good connectivity with public transport, but it isn't what we should have, and I've said it for many years, it's not quite good enough, I think, in terms of what we do.
02:25It's a big project, it's difficult, it's hard, it's expensive, and we can't do it on our own, obviously.
02:31The region is set to deliver a new rapid transit network, offering fast, modern and reliable services between the Liverpool city centre, the airports and key locations in North Liverpool.
02:41Inspired by successful models like the Belfast Glider, it's hoped this system will support wider regeneration.
02:48I think it's probably the first phase of what we would like, and hopefully that will deliver, and if we can get it earlier, then absolutely, and we're very supportive of that project, I think it's a good one.
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