Your step by step guide to the new safety measures at Liverpool John Lennon Airport

Liverpool John Lennon Airport is ready to greet more passengers again, with measures in place to make air travel safer post-Covid19.

Spokesman Robin Tudor said LJLA was delighted to welcome back passengers as airline services begin to return.

And he added: “The safety and security of all passengers and employees has always been the Airport’s top priority. Throughout this crisis staff have been preparing the Airport in order to welcome back customers.

“Passengers can continue to take advantage of Liverpool’s Faster, Easier Friendlier experience, while reassured that comprehensive measures are in place to reduce the risk of infection in line with the latest Government guidance.”

Passengers will notice changes and must adhere to new guidelines, the main ones of which are:

1. Keep 2m apart

With plenty of space available, social distancing can easily be maintained throughout the terminal along with ‘our usual quick processing times’.

2. Wash or sanitise hands regularly

Passengers are encouraged to use the hand washing facilities and hand sanitiser stations located throughout the terminal. Comprehensive cleaning measures are also in place.

3. Wear a face covering

Face coverings should be worn at all times throughout the airport terminal. Staff will also be wearing face masks or will be behind protective screens.

4. Passenger access only

Only those travelling are permitted into the terminal unless an accompanying adult is providing assistance.

To help prepare passengers in advance of their journey through the Airport, LJLA has asked passengers to familiarise themselves with all the changes  before they travel so they can continue to enjoy the benefits of flying from Liverpool while helping to minimise the spread of the virus.

Robin Tudor says: “Key to passenger safety will be to adhere to much the same measures that we are all becoming used to elsewhere.”

Your journey through the Airport

 Arrival at the Airport

Passengers arriving by car can continue to either park in the various on-site car parks, be dropped off in the Express Drop Off Car Park closest to the terminal or the Free Drop Off a short walk away. However, it is asked that those NOT travelling from the Airport remain in their vehicles.

Access to the terminal building will only be permitted for travelling passengers, anyone assisting a passenger with reduced mobility or other disability and for an adult accompanying a child who is due to travel alone.

For those arriving by public transport, buses continue to access the airport as normal, utilising the bus stops immediately outside the terminal building.

Car Parks

All on-site car parking options remain available without the need to travel on a shuttle bus to reach the terminal, although the Ground Floor of the Multi-Storey Car Park is not currently available for parking.

Entrance to the terminal building

A one-way passenger flow is in operation for passengers entering and leaving the terminal. Signage indicates which doors to use, with entry to the building via the left hand ‘Departures’ doors on the front of the terminal.

Upon entry to the terminal, all passengers are recommended to use the hand sanitisers immediately available. Hand wash and hand sanitiser facilities are also available throughout the terminal.

Passengers should wear a face covering at all times when passing through the terminal and it is compulsory to wear face coverings onboard all aircraft.

Face masks can be purchased from vending machines at the Airport for those passengers who do not already have them.

Passengers are also recommended to check the health procedures in place with their airline in advance of their travel.

Check-in

Passengers are encouraged to check in baggage to the aircraft hold and minimise any hand baggage. Those who do have hand luggage only and who have already checked-in online, can speed their way towards the security search area as usual.

Those needing to check-in or have hold luggage, should report to the relevant airline check-in desks using the queuing areas provided, while maintaining at least 2m between other passengers who are not family members or travelling together. Floor markings are provided to help passengers maintain the necessary distancing.

Check-in staff will now sit behind perspex screens

While the time taken to check-in should be no different than usual, social distancing may create longer queues. However, there is ample space within the terminal check-in area with overflow areas available should larger volumes of passengers need to check-in at the same time. Staff will also be on hand to provide assistance.

Lift access

Lifts are still available for all passengers however a maximum of two people are allowed in a lift at a time, or one family travelling together.

Boarding Card check

Floor markings are provided at the automated boarding card check to maintain safe social distancing while passengers wait to scan their boarding card, with staff on hand as usual should assistance be needed.

Security screening area

With security procedures in place being much the same as they were previously, LJLA still expects passengers to be able to pass through quickly.

Floor markings will once again help passengers maintain the necessary social distancing throughout the queuing area leading to the security screening process. Passengers are advised to use the hand sanitisers provided, both immediately prior to passing through the security checks and as they leave this area.

Since passengers are still subject to a hand search if necessary, close contact with security officers may be required. Security officers undertaking a hand search will be wearing protective visors to protect passengers and themselves while in close contact. However, to minimise the need for a hand search, passengers may be asked to walk through the metal detector more than once.

Trays used to screen hand luggage and personal belongings will also be regularly cleaned.

Departure Lounge

LJLA is working to reopen a limited number of shops in the Departure Lounge by early July, while recognising Government restrictions currently in place regarding restaurants, bars and other food and drink facilities. Limited refreshments are available via vending machines.

Social distancing should be maintained at times and additional seating has been provided for passengers while they wait for their departure. Sanitiser stations are located throughout the Departure Lounge.

Departure Gates

Passengers are now required to scan their own boarding card at the Departure Gate, with handling agent staff on hand to assist passengers while remaining behind protective screens. Passengers are reminded to maintain social distancing at all times during the boarding process.

Arrivals & Baggage Collection

Upon entering the terminal, all arriving passengers are reminded to wear face coverings, wash their hands or use the hand sanitisers regularly and to maintain social distancing, with floor markings to help in the UK Border Force area and around each baggage carousel.

Friends or relatives meeting passengers will not be permitted inside the terminal building and should remain in their vehicles and agree to meet up in one of the car parks. The only exception will be for an adult due to assist a passenger with reduced mobility or other disability and for an adult meeting a child who has travelled alone.

Terminal cleaning

Cleaning throughout the terminal will take place continually with a particular focus on those areas regularly used by passengers such as handrails, washrooms, luggage trolleys etc. In addition, all operational escalators have been fitted with Ultra-Violet cleaning devices to ensure that handrails are kept clean at all times. Deep cleaning throughout the terminal building will take place each evening.

Which airlines and routes are currently flying?

For more information on the new measures in place at Liverpool John Lennon Airport and to check on flight times and schedules visit the website here.

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