Today marks the official opening of the new terminal building at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, with Yoko Ono unveiling a seven foot statue of John Lennon situated in the new departures lounge. The new terminal is part of a £35 million project which includes improved passenger facilities as well as an enhanced retail offer.

The opening of the new terminal building coincides with a 450% increase in passenger numbers at the airport in the five years since easyJet started flying from there.

In 1996, the year prior to the arrival of easyJet, the airport handled 500,000 passengers. Throughout 2001, the airport dealt with 2.25 million passengers, 75% of which flew with easyJet.

easyJet set up at Liverpool airport in October 1997 with one aircraft and two flights a day. Today, the low-cost airline has three Boeing 737 300s and two brand new Boeing 737 700`s based at the airport. easyJet operates up to 20 flights every day to eight destinations; Amsterdam, Barcelona, Belfast, Geneva, Madrid, Malaga, Palma and Nice, and further growth is planned.

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