To help celebrate the 75th anniversary of the opening of Liverpool Airport the Friends of Liverpool Airport (FoLA) and The Jetstream Club are jointly organising a special celebration day on Sunday 29 June 2008, to be followed by a celebratory dinner on Friday 4 July 2008 (see full details below)

* The actual birthday date is the 3rd July, that date in July 1933 being the date the first scheduled air service from the brand new Liverpool Airport set out for the Isle of Man via Blackpool. The aircraft that day was a De Havilland Dragon of Blackpool and West Coast Air Services. We will have a Dragon Rapide offering pleasure flights at our party. We were originally negotiating with Air Atlantique's Classic Flight for a Rapide and DC3 Dakota, but because of recent changes to regulations for operating large/DC3-size vintage aircraft for passenger flights in Europe, we will not now be able to have the DC3. The Classic Flight group are deeply upset at the ruling, but have no option other than to comply. With what may be the end of passenger flying opportunities in the DC3 in the UK literally a few days after our 75th celebrations, Classic Flight now feel unable to let us have an aircraft for even one full day. They are currently looking to set up a 'farewell' tour of the UK by their DC3(s) in the last few weeks before the new regulations apply and will visit Liverpool on 20 June for pleasure flights, but this is independent of our celebrations. It might just be possible to incorporate a Liverpool flypast into the DC3 tour at our celebration weekend. Disappointment obviously, but we understand. BUT we can have a Rapide and a D. H. Dove - a 1940s vintage 8-seater aircraft which was a frequent visitor to Liverpool in the 40s, 50s, 60s and even later. *

With changes to the DC3 situation very recent, we have not yet finalised/revised details of Rapide and possibly Dove flying to allow bookings to be made at present. The outline plan is to operate Rapide/Dove flights on both Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th June from the General Aviation (GA) site. Check-in will be in the original terminal/Marriott Hotel with passengers being taken in style in vintage buses to the GA. There will be no access for the general public to the GA site. The advertised cost of flights for the general public will be £65, Classic Flights. standard charge for all their UK pleasure flights in 2008. However, they have kindly agreed to let us have a limited number of .charters. at a significantly reduced seat price for members only. Full details will be available later.

Now to other celebration features. We have recently had a decision from the RAF re our application for a display by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight - Spitfire, Hurricane and Lancaster, and a Eurofighter Typhoon on the afternoon of the 29th. They have awarded us the Memorial Flight, but a Dakota DC3 will replace the Lancaster which is not available. Sadly we were not granted the Typhoon. The substantial cost of the display is being kindly met by Peel Airports/LJLA.

News on vintage bus participation is very encouraging. The XL 171 Airporter restoration project is really moving along. The bus has been pulled out of .deep. storage and the old engine ran more or less straight away after many years of slumber. Arriva have generously offered mega-help with the restoration. The plan is to move XL 171 fairly soon to Arriva.s bodywork facility at Bootle for panel and painting work and re-tiring etc. Thank you so much Arriva. MTT are continuing to plan their use of other vintage buses on the 29th to offer free travel from the city centre to the old terminal/Marriott Hotel. (See also: www.mttrust.co.uk )

Many exhibitors have confirmed attendance at the Marriott site and plans for the History of the Airport. photographic exhibition, film/video presentations, art exhibition and special talks are progressing well. Tours of the inside of the Marriott and outside onto that favourite balcony will also be available. Also available will be the static Britannia (restoration progressing well) and Jetstream aircraft (complete with simulator), static microlights and helicopters and vintage cars and helicopter pleasure flights etc.,etc.. Refreshments will be available on site. We may also have some static aircraft on display at the present terminal.

Clearly it will be a very exciting day. Entry to the event will be via the Marriott Hotel at £2 per person or £5 per car including occupants. The Shop Direct Group have very kindly agreed to make some of their car park space available for overflow parking. We will be open from 10.00 to 17.00 on Sunday 29th. Hope to see you on the day, and please do spread the word as widely as possible. Any profits from the day will be divided between local charities and the Jetstream aircraft renovation projects.

Anyone wishing to be involved in this event is invited to contact us for more details. Please e-mail or call 07721-638311.