EASYJET LAUNCH 5 NEW LIVERPOOL ROUTES

© easyJet

Budget airline easyJet has announced the launch of five new year-round routes from Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA).

The launch of these new routes to sunshine and city break destinations allows for a greater mix and better choice for passengers, something the public and airport operators have been asking for.

The news comes less than two weeks since the airline announced a new year-round route to Malta starting in December.

On sale from today (11th June), the new destinations on offer are; Berlin, Fuerteventura, Malta, Marrakesh, and Prague.

Two of the routes on offer will add a ray of winter sunshine to those seeking to get away from our rainy shores during the colder months. Malta, famed for its beautiful beaches with crystal clear seas is situated right in the heart of the Mediterranean. Whilst Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands provides visitors with over 150 km of white, sandy beaches and magnificent coastline to explore and is perfect for water sport enthusiasts.

To those wanting an exciting city break or simply for those travelling for business, Berlin and Prague will offer excitement, vibrant streets and relaxation. While Marrakech offers something unique and is sure to be popular with those seeking a culturally rich experience.

The new routes form part of the companies Winter 24/25 schedule from LJLA launching in October. The route schedule for the 5 new routes are as follows:

• Prague (x3 weekly – Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays) from 28^th October 2024.
• Marrakech (x2 weekly – Wednesdays & Sundays) from 13^th November 2024.
• Malta (x2 weekly – Tuesdays & Saturdays) from 10^th December 2024.
• Berlin (x2 weekly – Mondays & Fridays) from 14^th February 2025.
• Fuerteventura (x1 weekly – Wednesdays) from 19^th February 2025.

Dates, times and prices as well as other information can be found by booking directly with easyJet online here or via their mobile app. Prices start from as little as £26.99 with the airline also offering package deals as part of easyJet Holidays here.

The launch of these new routes were announced earlier with the airline offering their biggest winter schedule ever with 60 destinations launched across their entire route network.

easyJet will now have up to 31 destinations on offer across Europe and beyond from the Speke-based airport. easyJet fly 2 million passengers per year using 7-based aircraft at LJLA.

Ali Gayward, easyJet’s UK Country Manager, said:

‘’We are delighted to be adding five new routes from Liverpool John Lennon Airport this winter which will offer something for everyone from exotic winter sun to short city hops, we are providing more choice for customers from across the region who choose us for our unrivalled network, fantastic service and great value fares.

Paul Winfield, Aviation Director for LJLA commented:

‘’We are delighted to welcome 5 new routes this Winter with our largest airline partner, easyJet. Berlin, Prague and Marrakesh become new year-round routes from Liverpool, offering passengers from across the North West and North Wales the opportunity to explore these destinations with the added benefit of flying direct from Liverpool. We are also delighted to welcome routes to Malta and Fuerteventura with easyJet, where there is clear demand for more services from Liverpool.’’

LIVERPOOL AIRPORT RECRUITMENT DAY

© Liverpool John Lennon Airport

LIVERPOOL John Lennon Airport (LJLA) is to host a Recruitment Day to help fill hundreds of vacancies on offer.

The Speke-based airport is gearing up towards the arrival of Jet2 in late March, and is seeking people to fill over 190 vacancies at the airport.

This summer, the airport is expecting its busiest season in over 5 years, with an extra 500,000 passengers travelling through it to one of the 20 destinations that Jet2/Jet2 Holidays are launching.

The aim of the recruitment day is to ensure the airport is sufficiently staffed throughout its busiest period, as well as maintaining the great passenger service it has to offer – which has helped the airport being named the UK’s Best Airport 2023 in a Which? Best survey.

The annual recruitment event, which the airport organises on behalf of several employers each year, will take place on Thursday 11th January 2024 from 10am-4pm in the main terminal building.

Many of the 192 jobs on offer are mainly full-time, with some part-time jobs on offer too. The event will provide people with the opportunity to speak to representatives from each company with no appointment required.

Many of the jobs on offer include; aircraft dispatch, airlines sales desk, aviation security officers, passenger assistance for people with disabilities, catering and related front of house roles, bar work and retail work.

These roles will be on offer from a number of employers including; Jet2.com, aviation security company Wilson James, catering company SSP, passenger assistance company ABM and retailers such as Boots and duty free shop operator Dufry.

Carol Dutton, Liverpool John Lennon Airport’s HR & Community Director commented, “With a busy summer season ahead and employers here at the airport wanting to ensure our passengers continue to have the best possible airport experience, it’s important to once again make sure that the many vacancies on offer here at the airport are filled in time for the Summer.

We’ll therefore be delighted to welcome along prospective employees who may be considering a career at the airport, to our latest Recruitment Day next Thursday where they will be able to find out about a host of positions currently available across a diverse range of employers, with many hopefully going on to start work here in the coming weeks.”

Anyone wanting to attend the event, can travel to the airport directly using a number of public bus services or can travel by train to nearby Liverpool South Parkway. Alternatively, complimentary parking will be made available for those wanting to travel by car.

If you wish to attend the event, you can visit the airports dedicated Recruitment Day page on the airport website: https://www.liverpoolairport.com/recruitment-day

JET2 LAUNCH LIVERPOOL WINTER 2024/25 SCHEDULE

©Jet2 Plc

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays have announced their first-ever winter schedule from Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

The airline and holiday operator, who announced last week that they’ll be launching their 11th UK base in March 2024 from the Speke-based airport, will fly to 8 sunshine destinations for the 2024/25 winter season.

The company has seen “strong demand” since the announcement and now customers can book to fly to the following sunshine destinations; Alicante, Antalya, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Madeira, Paphos and Tenerife.

The winter season will start on 18th November 2024 and runs until 29th March 2025 and customers can book their sunshine getaways from today here.

The schedule is as follows:

• Alicante (up to three weekly flights)
• Antalya (up to two weekly services)
• Fuerteventura (up to two weekly flights)
• Gran Canaria (up to two weekly flights)
• Lanzarote (up to three weekly flights)
• Madeira (weekly services)
• Paphos (weekly flights)
• Tenerife (up to five weekly flights)

Further announcements regarding the launch of ski, city breaks and the airlines Icelandic programme will be announced in the next few months.

Steve Heapy, chief executive of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “We have seen a fantastic response to our Liverpool launch last week, and we are delighted to be bringing more good news.

“The early release of this winter sun 2024-25 programme comes in direct response to the strong demand we are seeing from customers and independent travel agents wanting to book in advance and get the best choice of dates, rooms and resorts, as well spread the cost.”

200 jobs are being created with the launch of the new base and interested parties can apply for their positions here.

200 JOBS TO APPLY FOR AT JET2 LIVERPOOL BASE

Jet2 launch at Liverpool. ©Liverpool Airport

After announcing the launch of their brand new Liverpool John Lennon Airport base on Tuesday, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays are now recruiting for a number of roles.

The package holiday company confirmed they’ll be launching from the Speke-based airport on 28th March 2024 with 20 sunshine destinations, including 7 exclusive routes never before flown from Liverpool. All destinations and routes are on sale now here.

The initial 200 vacancies showcase a significant investment for Liverpool Airport and they’re now being advertised via the Jet2 Careers website ready for the launch next year.

And, if the airline is seen as a success at the airport that number of roles could increase next summer.

CEO Steve Heapy at the Jet2 launch event. ©Liverpool Airport

On the announcement chief executive of Jet2 Steve Heapy said: “The announcement of our 11th UK airport reflects our long-term strategy to continue growing responsibly to become the UK’s leading and best leisure travel business. It also means significant investment in the region, with four based aircraft coming into operation and the creation of over 200 new jobs.

“Between now and Summer ’24, our focus is on ensuring everything is ready to launch operationally, so that from day one we can provide customers from Liverpool John Lennon Airport the same award-winning service which has delighted millions of other customers from across the UK for so many years.”

The type of roles available range from; flight deck, cabin crew, engineering, and ground operations.

Anyone interested in the roles can find out more and register their interest by visiting the candidates page on the Jet2 Careers page: https://www.jet2careers.com/

JET2 LAUNCH LIVERPOOL BASE

Jet2 promotional image. ©Jet2

After weeks of online rumours, it has been officially confirmed that Leeds headquartered, Jet2.com & sister operator Jet2holidays will be launching a brand new base from Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

The brand new base is a major expansion for the Speke-based airport and will launch on 28th March 2024 – just in time for the Easter break.

Four based 737-800 aircraft will operate to 20 sunshine destinations, including 7 exclusive routes never before flown from Liverpool – which are listed at the bottom.

Up to 200 new jobs will be created including pilots, cabin crew and ground staff and anyone interested can apply here: https://jet2careers.com

54 flights will operate on a weekly basis representing 565,000 seats on offer to destinations including; Alicante on mainlands Spain, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Tenerife in the Canary Islands; Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca in the Balearic Islands; Faro and Madeira in Portugal; Corfu, Crete, Kos, Rhodes and Zante in Greece; Paphos in Cyprus; Antalya, Dalaman and Bodrum in Turkey; and Bourgas in Bulgaria.

Speaking today chief executive of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays Steve Heapy said: “We are absolutely delighted to be expanding our award-winning flights and holidays to Liverpool John Lennon Airport, which becomes our 11th UK airport base.

“This announcement further expands our footprint and comes on the back of the enormous demand that we know is out there from customers and independent travel agents across Liverpool, Merseyside and the wider region.”

He added: “We have seen that demand really ramp up over the past couple of years, so we know there will be a fantastic response to this launch.

“We have seen time and time again how popular our product is when we bring it to new customers, and we look forward to showcasing our VIP customer service to holidaymakers from Liverpool John Lennon Airport and delighting them with our product.”

Heapy continued: “The announcement of our 11th UK airport reflects our long-term strategy to continue growing responsibly to become the UK’s leading and best leisure travel business. It also means significant investment in the region, with four based aircraft coming into operation and the creation of over 200 new jobs.

“Between now and Summer 24, our focus is on ensuring everything is ready to launch operations, so that from day one we can provide customers from Liverpool John Lennon Airport the same award-winning service which has delighted millions of other customers from across the UK for so many years.”

John Irving, chief executive of Liverpool John Lennon Airport, said: “This is a great day for the airport and for the region’s holidaymakers.

“For the first time travellers from across the Liverpool City Region and beyond will have the opportunity to book package holidays with the UK’s leading package holiday provider, direct from Liverpool John Lennon Airport – the airport of choice for travellers from across the north west and north Wales, bringing together the current Which? Travel Brand of the Year with the current Which? Best UK Airport.”

He added: “It’s also great to have seven new routes available that we know will be popular with holidaymakers and for our local independent travel agents to be able to sell, with customers taking advantage of all the convenience and hassle-free benefits of flying from Liverpool.”

The airline and holiday package provider has consistently been voted the Which? Travel Brand of the Year, Which? Recommended Provider and Tripadvisor’s Best Airline – UK and Top 10 Airlines of the World.

The launch of the new Liverpool base will represent the companies 11th UK base and shows a significant investment and vote of confidence in the recovery of Liverpool John Lennon Airport since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Full list of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays routes:

Destination map. ©Jet2

Mainland Spain

• Alicante – up to four weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) 

Canary Islands – highest frequency of services from Liverpool John Lennon Airport 

• Fuerteventura – up to two weekly services (Wednesday and Saturday) 

• Gran Canaria – up to two weekly services (Tuesday and Saturday) – exclusive route  
• Lanzarote – up to three weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday) 
• Tenerife – up to five weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday Friday, Saturday and Sunday) 

Balearic Islands 

• Ibiza – up to three weekly services (Monday, Friday and Saturday)  
• Majorca – up to seven weekly services (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Friday, Saturday and Sunday) 
• Menorca – up to two weekly services (Wednesday and Sunday) – exclusive route 

Portugal 

• Faro – up to four weekly services (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) 
• Madeira – weekly Monday services – exclusive route  

Greece  

• Corfu – up to two weekly services (Monday and Friday) 

• Crete (Heraklion) – up to two weekly services (Tuesday and Friday) 
• Kos – weekly Friday services 
• Rhodes – up to two weekly services (Monday and Thursday) – exclusive route  
• Zante – weekly Wednesday services – exclusive route  

Cyprus 

• Paphos – weekly Wednesday services – exclusive route  

Turkey – highest frequency of services from Liverpool John Lennon Airport 

• Antalya – up to four weekly services (Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday) 

• Dalaman – up to four weekly services (Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday) 
• Bodrum – up to two weekly services (Wednesday and Sunday) 

Bulgaria – exclusive from Liverpool Airport  

• Bourgas – up to two weekly services (Monday and Thursday) – exclusive route

Welcome to Liverpool, Jet2!

Aer Lingus Return to LPL

Aer Lingus Regional at LJLA in Nov 2022. ©Lee Fisher.

After weeks of rumours, it has been officially announced today that Aer Lingus will be returning to Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

The airline has been absent from the airport since withdrawing their Dublin service way back in January 2016.

Emerald Airlines, under the guise of Aer Lingus Regional, will begin operations on their new Liverpool to Dublin route from April 27^th 2023.

The route will operate 11 flights per week with a double daily service on a Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday and will allow passengers to transfer to onwards US flights from Dublin Airport.

The timetable is as follows and was posted by SeanM1997 on Twitter…

Credit to @SeanM1997 on Twitter.

Aer Lingus Regional will join Ryanair on the route increasing daily departures to 5 per day (on some days) and Head of Communications at Emerald Airlines, Ciaran Smith said: ‘’Todays announcement is a much-anticipated one and will no doubt be warmly welcomed by passengers travelling for both business and travel pleasure purposes. The new Liverpool-Dublin service will provide those planning a trip with more choice and convenient flight times to suit their schedule.

‘’We believe that we can offer the region both great value flights to Dublin but also access to one of the fastest growing transatlantic gateways in Europe.’’

Aer Lingus are the latest airline to launch new routes out of Liverpool, following PLAY Airlines in October 2022 and Lufthansa in May 2022.

Exciting times ahead for Liverpool John Lennon Airport!

Liverpool Airport: Balance or just excuses?

A NEW in-depth report highlighting the economic impact of Liverpool Aiport has been written by Tony McDonough for Liverpool Business News, here:

Special report: Huge cost of halting airport growth

The report highlights how huge the economic cost to the Liverpool City Region would be if the expansion of Liverpool Airport wasn’t given the green light.

At the moment, LJLA contributes an estimated £340 million to the city region each year and supports over 5,000 jobs. But, under the expansion plans this is estimated to increase to over £600 million per year and job creation would rise to over 12,000.

The report goes on to say that the regions economy pre-pandemic was worth £5 billion per year with overseas visitors increasing over the past 10 years. But, with the city’s poor transport links to the airport, foreign investors are stopping short of investing.

So, when Lufthansa announced in December 2021 that it would be launching a new route to its central hub in Frankfurt from LJLA in May 2022 (https://www.liverpoolairport.com/news/2021/12/lufthansa-connects-liverpool-globally) it brought much needed hope – especially at a time when the travel industry was being savaged by the COVID-19 pandemic. The launch of this new route is seen as boost in confidence for not just the airport, but the city region itself and could open up new ‘runways’ of investment in the future.

As I’ve mentioned in my previous blog post, there is big opposition to the plans for LJLA to expand, so are the reasons given an object of balance? Or are they just excuses?

Firstly, business leaders in the region are calling for ‘open dialogue’, and say the “anti-airport sentiment”, by leaders and decision makers “should be avoided”, and is sending out a “negative message”.

Chief Executive of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, Paul Cherpeau, says: “We should be working collaboratively with our airport, using it as a tool of our economic recovery and rebuild whilst ensuring it minimises its iversll environmental impact.”

Also in the report by LBN Daily, a blunt statement released by Chairman of Downtown in Business, Frank McKenna says: “The commercial naivety of this resolution beggars belief.

“Do councillors not appreciate the cash, the jobs, the significant benefits the airport, directly and indirectly, brings to the city region economy? Did they not question the impact that this will have on the Freeport initiative?”

The opposition seems to be coming from Liverpool City Council leaders itself and they’re using the ‘net zero carbon targets’, as the excuse as to opposition to the airports expansion.

Whilst acknowledging the airport “supports a huge amount of investment and jobs in our city and it’s success is vital to our economic heath”, Liverpool Mayor Joanne Anderson is using the excuse of the council having “declared a climate emergency”, and the regions “commitments to a net zero carbon city and country”, as the reason for opposition. Also, the mayor added that “much had changed”, since the airport first released its masterplan. However, the mayor did add: “Clearly a balance needs to be achieved where economic growth is sustainable for the planet and any airport development in this country would need to be both financially and environmentally sound.”

Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram also acknowledged the “strategic importance” of LJLA to the region in “terms of international connectivity and as a vital local employer with good, unionised jobs”.

But, in similar fashion to Mayor Joanne Anderson, Mr Rotherham also mentioned: “we must strike a balance between continuing to attract inward investment to our city region and our ambitious net zero targets”.

For me, personally, all I’m hearing is the same excuse being peddled out as to why LJLA shouldn’t expand. Not one person in charge, or who has significant ‘pull’, are coming up with alternative plans for both sides of the argument to work together. It seems we’re going down the ‘normal’ route of debate when we already know how the council are going to vote in future anyway. It seems to be time wasting exercise. But, those who want this expansion (myself included), won’t give up.

I believe that our carbon footprint needs to be reduced, but this can’t be for the sake of progress and better paid jobs for the local economy. Cities such as Manchester and now Leeds are seeing investment by the bucket load, but Liverpool seems to always be stuck in a debate about heritage or net zero and it’s stifling economic growth.

Airlines such as Ryanair are moving routes out of Liverpool and moving them to Manchester and Leeds Bradford Airport is seeing investment and route connections return. This can’t continue and something needs to be done.

LJLA needs this expansion sooner rather than later and we cannot afford to have another situation of debate, delay, debate, delay. We’ve got a plan. Now, we need action. And, the council and its leaders need to back business and allow the airport to be expanded.

The excuses need to stop.

Liverpool Airport: Flight on, flight off?

Liverpool John Lennon Airport. ©Liam Fitzsimmons

THE FIGHT to save Liverpool Airport is beginning… and, Liverpool City Council have a lot to answer for.

Council members, from across different political parties, are coming together to oppose the airports proposed expansion due to the ‘environmental impact’ on the area and Councillor Lena Simic, who chairs the climate change and environment select committee, is leading the opposition.

Councillor Simic told the meeting: “Let’s be clear, nobody wants airport expansion.” Liverpool should “lead the way” when it comes to tackling climate change. The world is a very different place from when the council and airport published their original plans, she added.

The council are now threatening to withdraw council funding from the airport all together. But, it’s unclear what is meant by the funding the council gives to the airport.

The council currently own just 10% of the airport, whilst Peel Group own 45% and Ancala Partners own the other 45%.

According to an article published by Place North West, the airport currently contributes £250 million per year to the Liverpool economy, but if the £100 million expansion got the go ahead, this could potentially rise to £625 million per year.

In both 2018 and 2019, the airport saw more than 5 million passengers travel through it, but in 2021 that figure plummeted to just over 1 million passengers* – partially due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The travel industry, as a whole, is still recovering and it will take time. But, over recent weeks airlines like Ryanair, Easyjet and Wizz Air have all CUT routes from the airport and moved those operations to both Manchester Airport & London Gatwick. If this trend continues, and the council continue to bash the airport at every turn soon there won’t be an airport to discuss.

A big light on the horizon is that the airport has successfully negotiated with Lufthansa to launch services to Frankfurt from May 2022. With passengers using that service allowed to check-in for their final destination in Liverpool and use the Frankfurt hub to fly to hundreds of locations across the globe.

But, if Lufthansa can show confidence in the airport and what it could achieve for them, why can’t city council do the same? Why are they so set on allowing the airport to fail?

The council seem to be giving excuse, after excuse, after excuse as to why they’re withdrawing the funding but, many local people want the expansion to go ahead due to the investment it would bring – in jobs, tourism and money to the local economy.

The expansion would bring more routes to the area, including a London route from British Airways, but the airline currently won’t launch one as it believes the airport needs more investment… and it does!

Don’t get me wrong, I’m a huge supporter of the airport and I want to see it expand and be more successful than it already is. In recent years, it has unveiled great improvements passenger facilities, but it needs to do more.

Executives at the airport have put together a plan of action to expand the airport which includes; expanding the runway, extending and improving the airport terminal buildings and build a solar farm capable of 2.5 KWH’s of electricity per year. You can find out more information about the masterplan here: https://www.liverpoolairport.com/about-ljla/liverpool-john-lennon-airport-master-plan-to-2050

Liverpool Airport Masterplan. Credit: Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

However, Green Party councillor Anna Key, says this goes against the councils aim of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. But, can we really allow our airport to fail for the sake of the councils carbon neutral target? No, we can’t!

Understandably, there will be some sort of impact to the environment, but the airport is putting plans in place to combat that and we can’t stop investment and jobs that people desperately need for the sake of the environment – especially when another airport down the M62 is seeing constant investment and new routes announced each day.

Liverpool City Council really needs to start doing what is right for it’s people and stop using the excuses of environment and heritage to stop the city from moving forward and being stuck in the past. The city is being left behind on numerous fronts and we can’t allow the council to keep doing it.

I, for one, support the expansion of Liverpool John Lennon Airport and I urge others to do the same.

SUPPORT THE LIVERPOOL AIRPORT EXPANSION!

*Credit to Place North West.

A Swift Exit.

Irish Continental Group has today announced further changes to their Irish Sea services.

Following the announcement earlier this month that they’ll be building a new larger cruise ferry for their Holyhead to Dublin service, the owners of Irish Ferries announced it has sold their fast craft, Jonathan Swift.

The fast ferry Jonathan Swift also known as the ‘Dublin Swift’ has been sold to Spanish operator Balearia Eurolineas Maritimas, and will take up service for them later this year.

The fast craft commissioned by Irish Continental Group in 1997, and delivered in 1999 after a 26-day voyage from Australia at a cost of €29 million, has operated on the companies popular Holyhead to Dublin route since.

Jonathan Swift on a crossing from Holyhead-Dublin.

The deal worth €15.5 million – including broker fees and a 10% deposit, will be paid once the vessel has been delivered. Irish Continental Group says it will benefit by €14 million as a result of the deal.

There had been speculation on ferry enthusiast groups for some time, as to whether the ‘Swift’ would be replaced, after Irish Continental Group purchased the larger Austal built ship, ‘Westpac Express’ in 2016.

The high speed craft, which was built in 2001 and sold to the US Marine Corp, is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment programme at Harland and Wolff in Belfast.

Westpac Express at Harland & Wolff. ©Oisin Roantree

Further changes to Irish Ferries central corridor operations were announced earlier this month, including the building of a new cruise ferry costing €165 million and to be delivered in mid-2020.

The new ship will be able to transport over 1,800 passengers and crew across the Irish Sea, and will become the worlds largest cruise ferry in terms of vehicle carrying capacity – able to carry 1,500 cars or 300 trucks.

It will take on the schedule currently operated by MV Ulysses. And Ulysses will then move to replace the MV Epsilon on her current schedule.

Artist impression of Irish Ferries new build.

A decade on…

As many of you may not know, next week (14 January) will see, ‘ITV News at Ten’ celebrate ten years since it was reinstated to the ITV schedule.

A little bit of history…

‘ITV News at Ten’ began as a 12-week experiment on 3 July 1967, presented then by Andrew Gardner and Sir Alastair Burnet. ITV schedulers at the time, wanted to trial the UK’s first half-hour news programme, but many ITV regional bosses weren’t in favour of it.

 

Original ‘News at Ten’ logo.

Newscasters, Andrew Gardner, Alastair Burnet

However, after its first week on air, the ITV executives were still not convinced the viewing public were interested in 30 minutes of hard-hitting news five nights per week, and immediately wanted the bulletin axed. But, Newscasters Gardner and Burnet fought back and asked for more time. By the summer of 1969, the programme was a huge success regularly attracting over 12 million viewers per night. In the words of Editor Nigel Ryan, ”we knew we were safe”.

‘News at Ten’ is credited with creating the ‘reporter package’ – placing the reporter in front of the camera, and having them standing on location reporting to the viewers back at home what was happening? And why?

The iconic programme also made stars out of its newscasters. Sir Alastair Burnet, Anna Ford, Julia Somerville, Alastair Stewart, and (probably the most famous of them all), Sir Trevor McDonald – all became household names and trusted – the viewers listened to every word they said.

Sir Trevor McDonald on the set of ‘News at Ten’.

‘News at Ten’ had become part of British culture, but in 1998, ITV announced it was to axe the bulletin to make way for ‘higher rated’ programmes, and because of the rise of online news and 24-hour news channels. This led to an outcry, with MPs even debating the issue in parliament, with Gerald Kaufman MP saying ITV were moving the popular bulletin purely ”for money”. ITV were given permission by the ITC (now Ofcom), to move the bulletin. It last aired on 5 March 1999.

In October 2007, then ITV Chairman, Michael Grade announced plans to reinstate ‘News at Ten’ to the TV schedules in January 2008. Grade, called the axing of the bulletin in 1999 a ”shocking mistake”, and the decision had ”damaged ITV more than anything else”.

The programme returned to ITV on 14 January 2008 with Sir Trevor McDonald lured out of retirement to present alongside Julie Etchingham (Mark Austin took over from Sir Trevor in October 2008). It had its own unique branding and studio, and the iconic ‘bongs’ and ‘And finally’, also made a return.

 

‘News at Ten’ logo 2008-2009.

Mark Austin, Julie Etchingham, Sir Trevor McDonald.

Over the years, the bulletin has changed; Trevor McDonald retired (again), it lost its independent identity and was realigned to match the current ITV News output, and ITV channel controllers even moved the bulletin to 22:30 for six weeks in early 2017, in order to trial the ‘Nightly Show’ (which failed miserably).

The current update to ‘News at Ten’ was launched in January 2016. Tom Bradby, took over presenting duties and the programme has taken on a less ‘formal’ approach, allowing for more discussion on important issues, more examination of the details and to expand the audiences knowledge. The studio also incorporated images of ‘Big Ben’ striking 10pm, and the theme tune incorporated elements of the original from 1967.

 

‘News at Ten’ logo.

‘News at Ten’ revamped studio.

Despite all the changes, ‘News at Ten’ has remained an important part of history and celebrated fifty years since its first bulletin aired in July 1967. The way in which people read or watch the news has changed so much since 1967, but the programme still manages to reach millions per week, and (fingers crossed) will continue to do so, for many more years to come.

Here’s to another fifty years!