A much anticipated new lounge has opened at Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
The launch of the Aspire Executive Lounge marks the end of the Speke terminal’s latest multi-million pound phase of passenger improvements.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was led by Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson in in front of guests from the region’s business community, visitor economy, local authorities and airline partners.
The new lounge, operated by Swissport, replaces the previous smaller Aspire Lounge which first opened in 2012 and became so popular with airport users that despite a previous expansion and refurbishment, a new much larger facility was needed to cater for the continued growing demand.
The new Aspire Executive Lounge with its own dedicated entrance after the exit from the World Duty Free area, is a multi-million pound investment by Swissport at the airport and has over three times the floor space of the previous facility and is able to cater for twice as many guests with space for over 200.
An additional new feature for the Lounge is the introduction of a two-tiered offering, with guests now able to choose either the usual classic Aspire facilities or upgrade to the Luxe by Aspire offer for the first time, featuring private booths, communal workspace, premium snacks and drinks and is for adults only. The lounge also includes its own dedicated toilet facilities too for the first time.
This latest development with its expanded facilities catering for many more passengers has also created 20 new jobs at the airport.
Open from 4am through to 9pm the lounge is available to all passengers, bookable online in advance to ensure available space, as well as accepting various popular priority passes and tour operator inclusive bookings.
Advance bookings have already surpassed expectations, with passengers looking forward to a relaxing start to their journey, in this new bigger space in the heart of the airport’s Departure Lounge.
The premium look and feel of the new Aspire Lounge has been designed bespoke to Liverpool and includes a giant city scape mural depicting the City Region’s rich history.
Lucy O’Shaughnessy, LJLA’s commercial director, said: “The new Aspire Executive Lounge brings the airport some much needed additional capacity following the growing popularity of the smaller Aspire Lounge in recent years.
“We have listened to passenger feedback and not only created a facility much larger in size and more spacious, but also improved the customer offer by incorporating dedicated new toilets and baby change facilities, an improved hot meal offer and even a ‘calm space’, plus the addition of the new Lux by Aspire area for passengers wanting to really treat themselves.”