Liverpool City Council’s announcement to oppose any future expansion plans at Liverpool John Lennon Airport is beyond stupid, according to the Group chairman and chief executive of private sector lobby organisation Downtown in Business Frank McKenna.
Mr McKenna said:
“I am astonished, truly gobsmacked by this announcement. Liverpool’s politicians are inflicting self-harm on their city.
“There was no engagement or consultation with the business community, nor as far as I am aware, the airport itself before this proposal was supported by the council.
“The commercial naivety of this resolution beggar’s belief. Do Councillors not appreciate the cash, the jobs, the significant benefits the Airport, directly and indirectly, brings to the city-region economy. Did they not question the impact that this will have on the Freeport initiative? Did they not consider that, pre-pandemic, LJLA was a significant driver of prosperity in the region bringing an estimated £340million per annum in GVA and supporting 5.200 jobs across the Liverpool city-region?
Mr McKenna also claimed that the proposal will send a negative message about the city to potential investors.
“This type of gesture politics makes it look like Liverpool is closed for business and has limited ambition. A city that has an impressive reputation internationally, closing potential opportunities to attract more visitors is not a good look.
“I hope the city’s leadership reflects on this poor decision by Councillor’s and uses its influence and power to open a genuine dialogue with the airport and business stakeholders about the future of the aviation industry and its impact on our visitor economy – which has been battered during the past two years.
“I also hope there is a recognition that aviation is at the forefront of technological advancement to achieve greener air travel in the future, and that making such major policy moves against one of our key economic assets should be done in a far more transparent, consultative, and informed fashion.
Mr McKenna concluded: “The recent news that Lufthansa had agreed new routes from Liverpool gave the airport a real boost. This is a kick in the teeth. Although, it must be said, the cities of Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds will be delighted with the news.”
