PASSENGER numbers are "growing steadily" at Liverpool Airport but remain around 30% down on pre-pandemic figures.

A report to the airport’s consultative committee has detailed the recovery at John Lennon as the UK continues its journey out of the covid-19 pandemic.

The document laid out how since the lifting of international travel restrictions, almost 320,000 passengers used Liverpool Airport in April, the highest monthly figures since the start of the pandemic.

It said: "While these passenger figures are encouraging the airport continues its recovery, still operating at just over 70% of pre-pandemic passenger numbers in April 2019 and for the year to date 44% down on the same first four months of the year in 2019." 

The delays at check-in and security seen at other airports is something Liverpool Airport has not experienced, with 98% of passengers said to have passed through security in under 15 minutes during April.

The analysis said: "Here at Liverpool, the airport has been able to continue to provide the same high levels of customer service that it has become known for, with the passenger experience the same as it was pre-pandemic."

It added that 93% of flights departed within 15 minutes of their scheduled departure time.

In terms of general and business aviation, recovery is reported as being positive, down 17% on pre-covid levels for the year to date.

A record 1.4m kgs of freight has been handled through Liverpool in the first four months of the year across 58 dedicated cargo flights. This included covid testing equipment plus automotive flights and regular cargo on scheduled services.

The report outlined how almost all the retail units at the airport have reopened, though some continue to operate on reduced hours. It said: "With passenger numbers expected to continue to recover throughout the rest of the year, work has been carried out across parts of the airport terminal to enhance the shopping and dining experience for both departing and arriving passengers, creating new and improved passenger facilities in time for Easter and the first of the summer season holiday periods."

The number of complaints received increased from three in January to 134 in April with 61% of the total focusing around car park features.

The complaints included passengers unable to amend parking reservations made via a third party directly with the airport, refund processing and Fast Track ticket confirmation attachment system error, all of which are being addressed according to the report.

Earlier this year, Liverpool Council rejected the opportunity to invest in two new projects at the airport established by its operating company Liverpool Airport (Intermediate) No. 1 Limited.

Councillors turned down the opportunity to take part in a funding call, claiming it did not match with its current objectives.

In a bid to turn around its fortunes post-Covid, the new investment projects include the creation of a solar farm and the take over and upgrade of an existing fuel farm operation previously operated by Shell.