How the KLM deal was forged

Nov 4 2008 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post

THE chief executive of TMP, Lorraine Rogers, believes KLM’s announcement yesterday is as significant as the opening night of Capital of Culture, the Paul McCartney concert at Anfield and the ribbon cutting at Liverpool One.

Securing a hub operator to fly from Liverpool has been a TMP priority for three years.

But how did the City Region secure the Royal Dutch?

Mark Basnett, director of investment at TMP, said: “Not having international connection beyond Europe was something that we needed to address.”

He described “speed dating” airlines at industry route conferences, where airports and cities bid en mass to attract carriers.

“In the summer of last year, we approached KLM and said at senior chairman level we would like to put the case across and they agreed to a meeting.”

A small delegation including Mr Basnett, Peel Airports’ deputy CEO Neil Pakey, chamber of commerce head Jack Stopforth and two business owners presented to KLM’s board in February.

“This summer they confirmed they would like a return visit to see what the City Region was all about. [KLM vice president] Pieter Elbers hadn’t seen the airport before.”

Mr Elbers was shown round the city, going up the West Tower skyscraper to view Liverpool from above.

“They were hugely impressed and since then they’ve really gone away to see if it would be possible.”