Footballers highlight JLA’s £2m runway lighting system

Oct 30 2007 by Liza Williams, Liverpool Daily Post

John Lennon Airport (320)

TWO Premiership footballers launched a £2m runway lighting system which should reduce the number of cancelled flights at Liverpool John Lennon airport.

Everton FC defender Leighton Baines and Liverpool FC midfielder Ryan Babel switched on the new lighting for the runway and taxiway, which took six months to complete.

Aircraft are now able to taxi, take-off and land in extremely low levels of visibility which previously would have resulted in cancelled flights.

Andy Gower, airport director, said: “We thought it was appropriate to ask both Liverpool and Everton Football Clubs to help with this switch on.

“With Everton joining Liverpool in Europe this season, both teams and their supporters are regular users of the airport. As winter draws nearer and the weather can get poorer, this upgrade to the runway lighting system will help ensure that even fewer flights will be affected by any bad weather”.

In a joint statement yesterday from Everton and Liverpool football clubs, a spokesperson added: “We are delighted to have been asked to switch on the new lighting system today as improvements to the airport benefit both clubs, particularly as both teams and their supporters travel to and from Europe on a regular basis.”