New campaign for JLA flights to Heathrow

Aug 1 2007 by David Higgerson, Liverpool Daily Post

A CAMPAIGN to secure an air route between Liverpool and London Heathrow has begun after it was placed at the top of a list of “must have” transport projects needed to ensure the region’s continued regeneration.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport last night confirmed it was working with Merseyside councils now campaigning for a direct air link between one of the world’s largest airports and Liverpool.

Their move, revealed in a transport strategy for the Liverpool “city region” comes just weeks after operator VLM ditched its twice-daily flight to London’s City Airport, citing lack of demand.

While the airport immediately said it would work to restore the link, transport experts working for Merseyside’s councils, believe a daily link to Heathrow is a

realistic target. A link to Heathrow would effectively open up JLA to a massive new market, because passengers flying into one of the world’s largest airports would be able to access Liverpool with just one transfer.

Manchester Airport has benefited massively from such links, with more than 15 daily flights taking off to Heathrow.

That level of tourist traffic, coupled with business travellers who can get into central London via a 20-30 minute train or underground journey, would make several daily flights viable.

A spokesman for British Airways said the possibility of flying from growing airports, such as Liverpool, was “kept under constant review.”

JLA has been seeking to become a “spoke airport” for a major hub airport, but it had been thought an overseas airport would be most likely, until now.

A key part of the new campaign will be lobbying Government for “ringfenced” slots at Heathrow for regional airports such as Liverpool, something local MPs say is already under way.

If that fails, airlines which already fly in to Heathrow from other destinations, will be urged to add an extra leg to journeys which normally start and end in London.

Robin Tudor, JLA spokesman, told the Daily Post: “We are delighted to have the backing the councils.

“Heathrow is our top priority in terms of airports we want to be able to provide links to, not only because it is a London airport but also because it opens up connectivity across the world.

“We currently have flights to 65 destinations but our access to world markets is slim, so accessing a hub airport is essential for us, and Heathrow is our target.

“It is a very congested airport so we need to present the case that getting the slots is worth the airport’s time, and an airline’s, but the fact that Heathrow would carry both business passengers wanting to get to London and leisure passengers going on to other destinations will prove that.

“The key for us when talking to airlines, which we have done, is getting the frequency right so it works. It needs to be a credible airline which has the marketing power to sustain such operations and the relevant systems. We see no reason why it can’t happen. As a growing city, we think Liverpool can support it.”

He added work would continue to find an operator to resume the old VLM route. Both routes have the support of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce.

Chief executive of Liverpool’s Chamber of Commerce, Jack Stopforth, described Heathrow as “more beneficial” to its members.

He said: “We would support a link to any London airport. A link to Heathrow would be more beneficial to our members.

“A London air link has a psychological value as well as a business benefit to the city.”

Liverpool MP Louise Ellman, a powerful voice on the Commons Transport Select Committee, said: “This is a campaign I know the Liverpool MPs are certainly supporting.

“There is a need to lobby for easier access to slots at Heathrow for regional airports but part of the campaign has to be showing airlines it can work. I see no reason why it can’t if a mix of leisure and business passengers are built into the equation.”

Mark Butchard, strategic development manager for tourism and investment body The Mersey Partnership (TMP), said: “It’s vital the Liverpool City Region is well connected nationally and internationally, if it’s to compete effectively in the global marketplace.

“A direct Heathrow service would connect Liverpool directly with one of the world’s most important transport hubs.

“This would benefit not only local business and leisure travellers, but would boost the overseas profile of the Liverpool City Region as a tourism location and an attractive investment opportunity.”

A spokesman for the Merseyside Strategic Transportation & Planning committee said: “We want an expanding airport, operating to the highest environmental standards, serving an increasing number of short and long haul destinations with a direct link to Heathrow, and with high quality transport links serving an increasing proportion of travellers and staff.

“There is clear consensus that economic regeneration and the creation of sustainable employment remains the region’s priority.”

But Frank Kennedy, regional spokesman for Friends of the Earth, said: “We have an excellent rail service to London and we should be looking at direct rail links to airports. They are greener and the councils and the Government should be looking at sustainable ways of travelling.”

OPINION: PAGE 12

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