LIVERPOOL John Lennon Airport (LJLA) is gearing up once again for the traditional Christmas and New Year ‘getaway’, with about 150,000 passengers expected to pass through over the festive and New Year holiday period.

With schools finishing for Christmas tomorrow, lots of families from across the region are expected to head off on flights over the holiday period with passengers travelling to a mix of destinations.

As usual, popular flights for passengers over the coming days are expected to include Winter ski destinations such as Geneva, some much needed winter sunshine in The Canary Islands, European City breaks and Christmas markets including new flights to Vienna. Closer to home flights between Liverpool and Dublin, Belfast and the Isle of Man will be among the busiest with passengers travelling to be with friends and family at this time of year.

The Airport will once again be helping passengers get into the festive mood on Friday with face painters and Father Christmas finding time during his busy schedule to meet with passengers young and old.

A report published last week highlighted Liverpool as the best UK airport to fly from at Christmas based on the least delays and comes hot on the heels of two national awards for the Airport, recognising Liverpool as the best UK airport in its class, consistently delivering the best passenger experience for our passengers.

LJLA is the UK’s only 5 star rated airport for year round on time performance and with 98% of all passengers taking less than 10 minutes to pass through security, Liverpool truly is the UK’s Faster Easier Friendlier airport.

As always at this time of year, LJLA Management are keen to remind all passengers to allow plenty of time to pass through the airport during this busy period and that restrictions on liquids carried in hand luggage are still in place. Passengers are also reminded to think carefully about what items they are intending to pack in hand luggage, before they set off for the Airport - especially those who are travelling with presents for friends and relatives.

To avoid disappointment at the security search point and to help keep security queues to a minimum, passengers are being asked to travel with their presents unwrapped if they are to be carried in hand luggage.

Robin Tudor, head of PR for LJLA, said: “The Christmas and New Year period is one of our busiest times of the year as thousands of passengers from across the region take advantage of the convenience of flying via Liverpool, without any of the hassle.

We pride ourselves for being faster, easier and friendlier, but would like to remind all passengers to allow plenty of time, come prepared and think carefully about what they are carrying in their hand luggage.”