Liverpool John Lennon Airport expecting bumper Christmas weekend

Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) is getting ready once again for the traditional Christmas and New Year ‘getaway’.

This could be the Airport’s busiest Christmas and New Year period ever with over 200,000 passengers expected to pass through the Airport over the festive holidays – an increase of 4% compared to last year.

Families from across the region are expected to head off on flights over Christmas and New Year to a host of destinations direct from Liverpool, for a mix of winter sun or winter sports, whilst others will be travelling to visit friends or relatives over the festive period.

Destinations likely to prove most popular for families visiting friends and relatives are all close to home and include Belfast, Dublin and the Isle of Man, whilst most winter sun seekers will be heading to Alicante, Tenerife, Malaga, Arrecife and Faro. Flights to Amsterdam, Krakow, Geneva, Paris and Barcelona are set to be the busiest for those flying to city destinations.

Whilst delays aren’t expected, passengers travelling from Liverpool over the coming days are advised to allow extra time to pass through the airport at peak times.

As always at this time of year, airport management are keen to remind all passengers that restrictions on liquids carried in hand luggage are still in place and to think carefully about what items they are intending to pack in hand luggage, before they set off for the Airport – especially those who are travelling with presents for friends and relatives.

The good news however is that following the installation earlier this year of the latest generation security screening equipment, electrical items such as tablets and laptops can now remain in hand luggage as can any liquids and gels, however these remain limited to a maximum 100ml size.

To avoid disappointment at the security search point and to help keep security queues to a minimum, passengers are being asked to travel with their presents unwrapped if they are to be carried in hand luggage, with items including Christmas crackers not permitted by most airlines.

Robin Tudor, Head of PR for LJLA commented:

“This could be our busiest festive period ever and we’re all really looking forward to welcoming thousands of passengers to the airport, taking advantage of the convenience of flying hassle free from Liverpool to a host of great destinations.

We are asking passengers at peak periods to allow a little extra time to pass through compared to normal and to come prepared, thinking carefully about what they are carrying in their hand luggage, since restrictions remain in place.”