From fire alarms and first aid incidents to operational disruptions, Kevin said the role can be as unpredictable as it is demanding
After more than four decades working at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Kevin Birch still says no two days are ever the same. The 64-year-old, from Allerton, first joined the airport in 1983 at the age of 22, taking on a part-time role as a ramp loader working night shifts from 10pm until 2am.
After two and a half years part-time, Kevin went full-time in 1986, beginning a career that would see him rise through the ranks, from marshalling aircraft and fuelling planes to overseeing the airfield itself.
Kevin told the ECHO: “I spent about 10 years as a ramp loader, then moved into fuelling aircraft and marshalling. After that, I became an apron controller, looking after everything on the airfield, planning aircraft movements, safety, the lot.”
In 2008, following a restructure, Kevin became an airport duty manager, a role he has now held for 19 years.
He said: “It’s a very full-on, diverse role. We oversee the entire airport operation, from roadworks and car parks to terminal buildings and the airfield. If something happens, we’re usually the first point of contact.”
From fire alarms and first aid incidents to operational disruptions, Kevin said the role can be as unpredictable as it is demanding. But, despite the pressures, he says the variety is exactly what has kept him at the airport for 43 years.
He said: “If there are any problems, we’re fully in the loop, and if anyone needs our help, we’ll attend. Only last week, I unfortunately had to perform CPR. That’s the extreme end of it, but it shows how diverse the job is. You’ve got to be ready for anything. It’s part and parcel.
“No two days are the same. It still amazes me what goes on here, but that’s one of the beauties of the job. It can be daunting, but it’s also exhilarating.”
Kevin has witnessed huge changes at the airport over the decades, from expansions of the terminal and airfield to the introduction of new technology and environmental initiatives, such as a solar farm.
Kevin said: “An awful lot has changed. It’s a lot busier now. There’s been massive growth – more car parks, more buildings, more passengers. There’s a hotel now that never used to be there. People can’t smoke inside now, so we’ve got fewer fire alarms going off. But what hasn’t changed is the people who work here.
“Everyone helps each other out. It’s a close team, and most people genuinely enjoy working here. That makes a big difference.
“We’re an established group. Everyone knows the duty airport managers, and they know they can approach us or ring us up about anything.”
The ECHO previously reported how Liverpool John Lennon Airport was the UK’s most on-time airport in 2025, according to data. Of the 2.77 million passengers who travelled through the airport last year, an impressive 83% flew on time, with 17% – around 466,000 journeys – affected by delays or cancellations.
The statistics came from AirHelp, an air passenger rights organisation. The company’s 2025 UK Flight Disruption Report showed Liverpool significantly outperformed the national average, where 26% of passengers experienced disruption in 2025.
Kevin said: “It’s hugely important to the community. It’s not just the airport, it’s the airlines, the shops, the fuel, the logistics. There are so many jobs connected to it. And it’s a gateway to the city.”
Over the years, Kevin has encountered everything from major power cuts to quiet terminals during the pandemic.
He said: “You do face issues, and things can go wrong. We’ve had power cuts where we’ve lost half of the building, so it can be a real challenge when you’ve got a lot of people and you’re trying to help them get where they need to be. Covid was also pretty strange. It was a bit unnerving around the terminal, with nobody there, it didn’t feel right. Normally, our busiest time is from around 3am when the first wave of passengers arrives.”
He has also had some unforgettable moments, including working on one of aviation’s most iconic aircraft.
He said: “Concorde was something else. I marshalled it, fuelled it, even got to go on board and walk onto the wing. It was fabulous. It’s hard to explain if you’ve never seen one. Its engine was so powerful, and it was so tall, that it was challenging to marshal. It was just a beautiful aircraft, and it was above all other planes.”
The job has also brought him into contact with high-profile figures, including footballers from Liverpool FC and Everton FC, as well as Tyson Fury and Tiger Woods. But for Kevin, it’s the everyday interactions that matter most.
He said: “We’re a friendly airport, that’s something we’re proud of. People can get quite stressed travelling, especially going through security, so we try to make it easier for them.
“You won’t walk 10 yards without someone asking you something, and we’re always happy to help, even if it’s just pointing them in the right direction, showing them where their gate is, or helping them to carry a bag. If we can help and make their job easier, then we will.
“The people who work here care about their people and the passengers, and it goes a long way.”
Even after more than four decades, Kevin said he has no plans to step away any time soon. He added: “I enjoy the people, I enjoy the job, and I enjoy working for the airport. They’ve been good to me. The people are great here, everyone talks to each other, so it’s a really nice environment to be in. I’m not going anywhere just yet.”
