Liverpool John Lennon Airport welcomed its newest airline today with the arrival from Reykjavik of the first flight by new Icelandic low-cost carrier PLAY.
PLAY now link Liverpool direct to Reykjavik for the first time and also offer passengers seamless connections onto their USA destinations including Washington, Boston and New York.
To celebrate the airline’s first arrival at LJLA and the start of this latest new service, the Airport’s Fire and Rescue Service performed its traditional aircraft ‘baptism’ as the PLAY aircraft taxied towards the terminal building.
Flights now operate on Mondays and Fridays using the carrier’s fleet of brand-new 180-seat Airbus A320neos, one of the world’s most environmentally friendly aircraft which delivers 20% fuel savings and CO2 reductions compared to previous Airbus aircraft. Flights can be booked at www.flyplay.com
On board the flight to Liverpool were a group of Icelandic Everton fans, taking advantage of the first direct flight to Liverpool from Reykjavik ahead of this weekend’s Everton match with Manchester United. As a special surprise Everton FC player Nathan Patterson came to the Airport to welcome the fans to Liverpool as they disembarked from the aircraft.
Paul Winfield, Director of Aviation Development for Liverpool John Lennon Airport, commented, “We’re delighted to welcome PLAY to Liverpool and to add Reykjavik as the latest destination to the Airport’s expanding route network.
As well offering the region’s travellers an excellent low cost airline product to Iceland and on to New York, Washington and Boston, this will also be another important link for the region’s visitor economy too, making it easy for Icelanders and Americans wanting to visit the Liverpool City Region, the North West and North Wales to fly to Liverpool.
As an example, we’ve already seen a group of Icelandic Everton fans on the inaugural flight this morning, taking advantage of the first direct flights from Reykjavik to Liverpool and visit the City ahead of Everton’s game on Sunday.”
Birgir Olgeirsson, CEO for PLAY added, “PLAY’s passenger numbers reached a staggering 182,000 in quarter 2 of this year, with August continuing the success with 108,000 passengers carried in the month alone.
Iceland’s extraordinary scenery, rich wildlife and bustling beer scene makes for an epic weekend away and we can’t wait for those in the North West region of the UK to come and experience it. We hope that football mad Icelanders will be welcomed much the same as they travel to Liverpool in search of the famed atmosphere of Anfield and Goodison Park.”