Liverpool John Lennon Airport - a brief history

Facts

• Opened in 1933
• Passengers 2.8 million.
• Owned by Peel Group plc who also own a controlling interest in Sheffield airport and the new Robin Hood Doncaster airport which opens in May 2005 at the former RAF base at Finningley.
• One run way 2286 metres long.
• Airport is virtually frog free.

History of Liverpool Airport

Began operation in 1927 when George Dawson acquired Hooton Park Estate with the view using the land to establish an airfield. The airport was originally called Speke airport after the district on the opposite side of the River Mersey. With aid from the Air Ministry the first commercial flights commenced in 1930.

The early traffic was mostly to Ireland to serve the large Irish population settled in Liverpool. In the late 1930's the first terminal was erected. As with all airports in this country the 2nd World War saw major improvements to the infrastructure and in particular the replacing of grass runways with hard surface to carry the heavier bombers. Rootes and Lockheed factories were on site and Liverpool airport was a major contributor to the RAF war effort.

The Ministry for Aviation operated the airport until 1961 when the airport ownership was passed to the local authority whereupon a new purpose built runway was constructed adjacent to the airport terminal. Over the following years ownership passed to Merseyside County Council and then to the five councils of Merseyside. In essence the owners remained the same subject to the change of name of the local authority.

A brand new terminal opened in 1986 with the original building now the Marriott Hotel and David Lloyd centre.

The airports act of 1986 for legal reasons required ownership by a limited company. Nearly all the airports in this country at this stage were owned by the local authority and they merely formed an holding company. Liverpool however, retained only 24% and passed 76% control to British Aerospace.

British Aerospace during the 90's spent upwards of 4 million on expanding the terminal with aid also coming from EC Ojective One programme.

Peel Holdings Ltd purchased British Aerospace's stake in 1997 and the councils 24% in 2001.This has had a major impact on the airport's progress.

Passenger numbers have risen to 2.8 million in 2002 with 3.5 million hoped by 2005. They have spent over 42 million on a new terminal increasing capacity to 4 million passengers making Liverpool airport one of the fastest growing airports in the Uk. Easyjet's influence on this growth cannot be understated and this has been followed by Ryanair who signed a 10 year contract in 2001.