John Lennon watches over passengers as they check in

It is one of the oldest airports in the country and officially opened on 1 July 1933 - although the first scheduled flights began three years earlier.

It is also the fastest-growing airport in the UK and one of the fastest-growing in the country.

Since 1997, passenger numbers have tripled, with between two and three million people now using it annually.

Facts about Liverpool John Lennon The world's largest commercial aircraft, the Antonov-124, takes Christmas gifts to less fortunate children each year from the airport as part of Operation Christmas Child The UK's first ever charter operations of Concorde from a regional airport departed from Liverpool in 1979 The original art deco terminal is now a hotel close to its present location The first passenger flight was in 1930, but the airport did not officially open until 1 July 1933

Despite this, the airport does not have a link to London, which has been a major bone of contention between airport bosses and the government.

Managing director Neil Pakey has written to the government to urge it to prioritise regional airports, and not just those in the South East.

The aiport was renamed after music legend John Lennon in 2002, in recognition of his cultural contribution to Liverpool.

The new �20m terminal building was opened by his widow Yoko Ono.

And the airport's slogan - Above Us Only Sky - comes from Lennon's Imagine.