LIVERPOOL-3
 

I will start the ball rolling. Anyone like to predict where Liverpool will be in terms of passenger numbers in 5 and 10 years time.

I don't know enough about Liverpool..I wish them well though as it's a really nice airport to fly from..Almost as good as BLK:);)

Only flown from Liverpool once in the days just before smoking was banned. All I can remember was that the terminal was a health hazzard.

Why?..All the airport was short of IMO, was an airbridge..I can live with that.

Yes but the place was thick with cigarette smoke. Really bad advert for Liverpool in those days

LTNman, I can assure you that when I passed through LPL a couple of years ago they were adhering to the smoking ban.

Not the best experience on departure, but only because of the hour long queue for security. I understand they have since opened an improved security area, and if I find flights as cheap as those again I wouldnt hesitate to make the treck back there given those improvements.

This was in the days of easyjet's Luton - Liverpool service whenever that was. Nice terminal shame about the passengers.

I've only used LPL twice in the last few years. My experience about 3 years ago was so ghastly I didn't think I'd ever do it again. It was heaving with passengers, the access was poorly designed, security staff slow and unpleasant (even if you you gave way and paid the £3 'fast track' fee).

I used it last week as a flight from there was my best option and was pleasantly surprised, no crowds, no delays, even managed to get a reasonable breakfast although for what it was, it was overpriced. All round, not a bad airport.

I use it on average twice per month for the last 20 years. At the start it was just a handful of flights per day, very quiet, and hardly any passengers. Then came the expansion of numbers and building work. It would be fair to say they had their problems along the way. Not least security search area queues - about which I have complained to the airport directly in the past.

They've relocated and expanded the security search area which is now excellent. Apart from the morning peak I don't think anyone would wait more than a few minutes nowadays.

If you have a look on the airport website a number of retailers have offers - particularly catering :ok:

I don't mind LPL. It does the job pretty efficiently and Liverpool has done well to develop the airport the way it has. The other half doesn't like it however as he, like alot of less frequent travellers, prefers the 'buzz' of a bigger airport.

Yes we too find it a great airport. The local Scouse staff are a joy, always a ready wit even at silly O Clock :ok:. Usually use the Easyjet service to Gibraltar and sometime Fue. Think they have canned this route for next summer, unless Easyjet83 can shed some light on it, but its not overcrowded, plenty of eateries and basically everything works.:ok:

Only fly in the ointment is last week the CEO gave an interview in which she seriously bigged up Manchester and indicated that she viewed that as their Northern hub...hmmm

Sorry, but this was not my experience when I passed through the airport at the May holiday weekend. The airport was very quiet, one may say dead, but it still took 40 mins plus to clear security. Only one scanner operational and no queue management. I have to say though that the security staff were exceptionally friendly.

Gibraltar ending in October due to Lack of Demand. Heard loads have not been as good as the other routes to GIB

Also sorry to break the bad news that from 4 November Ryanair also stopping Shannon. Riga also ending as well on the 5th but is staring from MAN.

Have used Liverpool a number of times over this year and have had no real issues other than normal wait at border control inbound - have had that at Man as well. Will use again but there appears to be a drop in services as has been noted so maybe LOCO bubble going down a little in recession. All my other flying is long haul from Man on SQ/EK currently, and I am surprised at how full Business class is on both airlines given the recession:ok:.

I think it's a little late to still be considering the LOCO market as a bubble/flash in the pan. FR and EZY have done particularly well financially over this period of downturn. I think the problem for LPL is that the low cost carriers are looking increasingly at MAN. MAN continues to attract legacy and low cost, something which it is becoming increasingly good at but alot of the growth there is currently from the low cost carriers.

There apparently has been a significant drop in passsenger numbers this year with both EasyJet and Ryanair cutting flights (Think Wizz Air have also cut a couple as well). Lets hope that when Jet2 move in (If its happening) Numbers will be Increasing again.

There was a scaremongering piece in the Liverpool Echo yesterday on page 3 titled 'Alarm at slum in passengers at LJLA'. Basically saying their on track to lose 700,000 pax this year.

Also had a quote at the bottom from LJLA spokesman saying "we are in active talks with several new airlines regarding potential new routes for next year". Hopefully someone comes in and quick because the rate at which RYR and EZY are pulling routes is scary.

Easyflyer my comment on LOCO based on the fact how many A/C are due to be laid up this winter. LPL may see some of these ( maybe 6 Ryanair). As for LOCO and Man, yes there are more basing there, but Man cost base is more expensive, and it is up setting some long term users of Man who may look at base,s elsewhere as a result. I think the general problem is not enough bums on seats for the plethora of routes which mushroomed over the last few years from variouse UK regional airports. They and the airports are clearly not all supportable in this climate. Hope LPL survives though would have doubts about their sister airport Doncaster.

I gather the Canadians are currently focusing on maximizing revenue per passenger, according to members of FoLa. I dont think its a question of whether the place will survive, more of securing a sustainable operation. It has been hinted at that MAG and LBA are making unbeatable offers to new carriers.

Mr Mac
 

What factual evidence do you have of this?

No doubt about it. Yes, there has been a decline in passengers recently but they will bounce back I'm sure.