Friends of Liverpool Airport (FoLA)

What is FoLA?

Friends of Liverpool Airport (FoLA) was formed in 1980 by a small group of people with a genuine interest in the Airport’s well-being. Whilst many airports have objector or pressure groups against them, Liverpool John Lennon Airport is almost unique in having a Friends association. FoLA is an independent, voluntary, and non-political organisation with around 400 members, mostly from the North West of England, yet with significant numbers spread across the UK and overseas.

Aims and Objectives

FoLA has four clear objectives:

• To promote the use of and the need for Liverpool John Lennon Airport
• To encourage the development and improvement of the Airport and its facilities
• To educate public opinion about the Airport and services from it
• To promote civic pride in Liverpool John Lennon Airport

How We Do This

These objectives are put into practice in a variety of ways and we will assist the Airport to develop its potential in any way that we are able to. For example we assist the Airport at travel shows and exhibitions either by providing extra pairs of hands or running the events ourselves. We set up exhibitions in factories and offices and help to keep the Airport in the public spotlight by correspondence and meetings with the press and media. Members regularly provide assistance to groups of special needs passengers passing through the Airport on Pilgrimage flights to Lourdes and other similar destinations.

Education and Tours

Members of FoLA staff the increasingly popular tours and educational activities offered by the Airport to schools, colleges and other groups by giving presentations on the history, development and services available and by conducting landside tours of the Airport. For more information about this, click here.

Meetings

We hold monthly meetings at the Airport on the first Tuesday of each month, open to all members, which provide an opportunity to obtain up to the minute news on airport activities, operators and special offers etc. There is often a speaker from an airline, the Airport, or activities related to the airport, in attendance to answer questions.

Newsletter

FoLA produces a substantial quarterly newsletter called 09/27 (the runway orientation) which is sent out free to all members.  This can be in printed format or as an electronic copy depending on option chosen when joining or renewing membership.  Members are encouraged to contribute articles related to the airport or on other aviation matters.

Special events and trips

From time to time we have the opportunity to take part in events or visits to locations of interest both locally and further afield.  In the past we have been able to arrange flights on various aircraft including, Concorde, BAe146, DC3 Dakota, Embraer145, F50 and Dash 7 and chartered aircraft and utilised scheduled services for day trips/tours and weekend breaks.

For further information or for a membership application refer to the FoLA website at: www.fola.org.uk