The airport says there is a demand for flights to London

From next month there will be no flights from the airport to the capital, but 37 each weekday from Manchester Airport.

Neil Pakey, managing director of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, said he wanted the government to abolish passenger taxes and secure slots into major cities from the regions.

He said this would be similar to the French system of protecting regional airports.

He said: "There's 37 flights a day out of Manchester and none out of Liverpool.

'Wealth and culture'

"Are the markets really that different?

"I don't think so, in terms of wealth and opportunity - especially now we've got the Capital of Culture."

But the airport's plans are threatened by airlines, which say there is not a strong enough commercial demand for an air link.

There are also currently no free slots at either Gatwick or Heathrow airports.