The rise of Liverpool John Lennon Airport continues as the first flights from Jet2 take off, following the official launch of flights from Jet2’s new base at the Liverpool airport.
Signalling the start of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays flights and package holidays operating from the airport, a full flight to Tenerife took off and onboard was a family from St Helens who embarked on the inaugural Jet2holidays flight as part of a gifted complimentary getaway as part of Jet2’s launch festivities.
The Smith family received the unexpected news onboard the aircraft from Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays. The prize granted the Smith family of four a complimentary 7-night accommodation at the Paradise Park Fun Lifestyle Hotel in Tenerife.
The surprise holiday was just one element of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays’ celebrations commemorating their inaugural flight from Liverpool John Lennon Airport, their 11th base airport in the UK. To mark this significant milestone, the airline and tour operator organized a morning of festivities, with both customers and colleagues participating.
The arrival of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays at Liverpool Airport, announced in May 2023, brings a new airline to Liverpool John Lennon Airport and has increased the number of aircraft based at the airport to its highest level to date.
The investment from Jet2 has created more than 250 jobs across flight deck and cabin crew, engineering, and ground operations. A fleet of four aircraft will be based at the Liverpool John Lennon Airport location, offering flights to various destinations such as Mainland Spain, the Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, Greece, Turkey, Bulgaria, Portugal, Madeira, and Cyprus.
The addition of Liverpool John Lennon Airport as the 11th base for Jet2.com and Jet2holidays expands the companies’ presence in the UK, offering flights and ATOL-protected package holidays to holidaymakers and independent travel agents and plans are in motion for the 12th base, in Bournmouth as Dorset airport will become operational with its inaugural flight from Bournemouth to Tenerife on 1 April 2025.
John Irving, chief executive at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, which is backed by infrastructure manager Ancala, said: “Following the announcement last May that Jet2.com and Jet2holidays had chosen Liverpool to become their newest UK departure airport, a lot of work has been going on to make sure that our passengers continue to enjoy our award winning Faster Easier Friendlier airport experience and we look forward to welcoming thousands of Jet2 customers over the coming months.
“Customers and travel agents from across the region have been asking to see Jet2.com and Jet2holidays commence flights from Liverpool for some time, so it’s great to see the first passengers jet off from here today, with exciting further growth planned, following more recent commitments for their winter and summer 2025 holiday programmes. Today marks the start of what I am sure will be a great partnership.”
Growth of Liverpool John Lennon Airport
Liverpool John Lennon Airport’s passenger numbers grew by 20% in 2023 and are expected to return to pre-Covid levels of 5 million per year in 2024.
According to newly-filed results with Companies House, the commercial group behind John Lennon Airport saw pre-tax losses fall from £13.4m to £4.8m in the 12 months to March 31, 2023, while turnover increased from £18.3m to £38.9m signalling a return to pre-covid incomes. The [non group] financial results for Liverpool John Lennon Airport itself, which were published separately in October 2023, revealed the airport had made a pre-tax profit for the first time.
Building upon its recent post covid successes, Liverpool Airport has ambitious plans to serve more and more destinations in the foreseeable future including long haul, with passenger forecasts indicating the potential to grow passenger numbers to 7.8 million by 2030.
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