Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) has welcomed today’s publication of the Government’s draft Airports National Policy Statement which recognises the importance of a link from Liverpool to an expanded Heathrow Airport.

LJLA has been a supporter of Heathrow’s plans for a third runway for some time, recognising their expansion plans as the best proposal for both the UK regions and the Country as a whole.

The draft National Policy Statement published for consultation today, makes it clear that expansion of Heathrow Airport and the new capacity created by a third runway, will be a growth engine for the whole of the UK, supporting new domestic air connections to underserved UK regions including Liverpool.

The Secretary of State for Transport states that the Government expects Heathrow to add 6 more domestic routes across the UK by 2030 including a link with Liverpool, bringing the total to 14, strengthening existing links to nations and regions, and also developing new connections.

Liverpool needs to access global connectivity to better meet the needs of the region it serves, however capacity constraints in the South East have meant that the opportunity to re-establish regular flights to the UK’s hub airport has simply not existed for some time.

Andrew Cornish, CEO of Liverpool John Lennon Airport commented, "Liverpool John Lennon Airport welcomes this draft Airports National Policy Statement and that the Government has clearly set out that it will hold Heathrow Airport to account on securing a number of new domestic routes to regions currently underserved including Liverpool, as part of the expansion of Heathrow and the new capacity created by a third runway.

We have been a long-time supporter of Heathrow’s plans for a third runway and will respond to the Government’s consultation supporting the need to secure these new domestic links, knowing that regional airports such as Liverpool can benefit by the future opening up of access to the UK’s hub airport for improved worldwide connectivity".