AVIATION Minister David Jamieson has announced a £20 million airport expansion which will create 700 new jobs.

Liverpool John Lennon Airport will get more terminal room, more runway and aircraft taxiing space and better parking and transport links.

Over the next three years, the airport expects to increase passenger numbers to 50 per cent to 4.5m a year.

Mr Jamieson said there was proven demand for regional airports used by low-cost airlines such as Easyjet and Ryanair.