On May 26, 1988, Ryanair's first flight landed at Speke Airport, now Liverpool John Lennon Airport, marking the start of low-cost travel from the city. The inaugural BAC One-Eleven arrived from Dublin with an introductory return fare of £49, significantly undercutting the previous £104 fare.
A Warm Welcome for the First Flight
The aircraft, named Spirit of Dublin and captained by Chris Blomfield, was greeted by three Merseyside mayors, airport executives, and the Fianna Phadraig Pipe Band, a group that, despite its name, came from Manchester. Comedian Mike Harding also joined the cabin crew to welcome passengers on the historic service.
The 45-minute flight operated daily, departing Dublin at 1:30pm and returning from Liverpool at 2:55pm. The British-built BAC One-Eleven became a staple of Ryanair's early operations as the airline expanded.
Photographs from the Archive
Recently unearthed photographs from Mirrorpix capture the day's events, including the champagne reception and the captain waving after touchdown. These images, unseen for years, offer a nostalgic glimpse into the beginning of Ryanair's presence in Liverpool.
