Footballers prove to be a ‘turn on’ at LJLA

Today, two first team footballers from Everton and Liverpool Football Clubs launched Liverpool John Lennon Airport’s state-of-the-art new runway lighting system in an unusual ceremony which took place on the Airport’s runway.

Everton Defender, Leighton Baines and Liverpool Midfielder, Ryan Babel made the switch over to the all-new runway lighting system using a plunger which was kindly lent to the Airport by Liverpool City Council and usually used for the switch on of the Christmas lights in the City Centre.

The new lighting for the runway and taxiway took six months to complete and cost over £2m. As a result of this project, aircraft are able to taxi, take-off and land in extremely low levels of visibility which previously would have resulted in cancelled flights. The project was managed by Contract Managers Morgan Est. The sub-contractor responsible for the installation of the new lighting system was WT Parker.

Andy Gower, Airport Director for LJLA, commented: "We thought it was appropriate to ask both Liverpool and Everton Football Clubs to help with this switch on. With Everton joining Liverpool in Europe this season, both teams and their supporters are regular users of the Airport. As Winter draws nearer and the weather can get poorer, this upgrade to the runway lighting system will help ensure that even fewer flights will be affected by any bad weather."

In a joint statement from Everton and Liverpool, a spokesperson, commented: “We are delighted to have been asked to switch on the new lighting system today as improvements to the Airport benefit both clubs, particularly as both teams and their supporters travel to and from Europe on a regular basis.”

Mike Gwyn, Morgan Est Project Manager, added: “This has been a very rewarding project to work on. The new Aeronautical Ground Lighting System that we have installed will give pilots clearer direction during take off and landing, in poor visibility.”

He adds: “The success of carrying out this project, while the airport remained open, was the result of a great team effort between Morgan Est and Airport staff.”