One of the UK’s busiest airports, with around 5 million passengers passing through each year, Liverpool John Lennon Airport is naturally one of our most popular venues for flying experiences we have in the North West of England here on FlyDays.
It was built in the grounds of the historic Tudor manor house Speke Hall, and was originally known as Speke Airport, with scheduled flights commencing from there in 1930 to airports in Eccles, Birmingham and Croydon. Its official opening wasn’t until 1933, by which point it was taking on more Irish Sea crossings to Belfast and Dublin.
With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, civilian aviation was ceased temporarily, as the RAF requisitioned it and it became known as RAF Speke. A ‘shadow’ factory was erected in the grounds of the airport, where over 1,000 Bristol Blenheims and Handley Page Halifax bombers were constructed.
On 8th October 1940, RAF Speke was the site for one of the fastest air-to-air combat attacks in the Battle of Britain, when a Hawker Hurricane, driven by Flight Lieutenant Denys Gillam, shot down a German Junker 88 plane, which was subsequently captured in a famous painting titled Fastest Victory, by military artist Robert Taylor.
As the war ended in 1945, civilian flights and passengers through the airport slowly began to return to normal pre-war levels, growing to 75,000 in the three years after. With the arrival of the swinging 60s - a decade that was to prove fruitful for putting Liverpool globally on the map - the city took control of the airport, with HRH Prince Philip opening the new runway extension there in 1966.
Beatlemania bought Liverpool into sharper focus, with newsreels of the time picturing adoring fans of John, Paul, George and Ringo crowding outside the old Grade II listed Art Deco terminal of the airport. Even though the airport is still in operation at a new building, the old terminal has since been transformed into a hotel owned by the Crowne Plaza group as a mark of its cultural significance.
In 2001, 21 years after his death in 1980, the airport was renamed in honour of John Lennon to the name we now know it as today. And with the old Yellow Submarine sculpture from the Albert Docks situated at the entrance to the airport, Liverpool John Lennon Airport now remains as iconic a landmark and tourist attraction as the city itself.
Heli Across the Mersey
One of Britain’s best loved cities, FlyDays offers an unbeatable way to take in the famous sights of Liverpool with our range of Helicopter Flights we offer for One or Two to enjoy.
However far you choose to fly for, whether it’s 6 miles or 25 miles, you’ll take off from the helipad at the airport, up into the skies with your pilot acting as your tour guide to help you point out all the key sights as you fly up the mouth of the River Mersey.
Anfield stadium, the home of 2020 Premier League champions Liverpool F.C, the Royal Albert Docks, St George’s Hall, the Cavern Club. All of these and more are at your feet, and you’ll get to see them in a way you never have anywhere else.
The Flying Liverpudlian
If you’ve dreamed of taking to the skies above Liverpool, flying for yourself, our range of flying lessons and flying schools that are hosted at Liverpool John Lennon Airport will help you realise that dream.
Sessions in our two seater aeroplanes last for either 30 minutes or 60 minutes. Whichever one you go for, they’re a fantastic way of getting you introduced to the joy of flying your own plane, and all under the guidance of a CAA qualified instructor.
Plus they’ll count towards the tuition and experience you need to apply for your Private Pilot’s Licence, so it could just be a treat for yourself or a present for a loved one that pays out long term in a nice career or hobby in aviation.
Booking to Fly at Liverpool John Lennon Airport
FlyDays is looking forward to you booking your next flying day or experience with us at Liverpool John Lennon Airport. You can purchase an open gift voucher which is great to treat yourself or a loved one with, and offers flexibility for when you want to attend your next event there.
But any of the experiences you see listed with available dates can be booked onto directly as well. Whichever option you go for, all you’ll need to do is look forward to enjoying some quality time in the air over the North West of England.