The laboratory, operated by healthcare company Salutaris People in partnership with Source BioScience and Test Assurance Group (TAG), can perform 500 tests a day, but can be increased in scale to facilitate up to 1,000. 

Cliff Kirby, board director of TAG, said the company has "put passengers first" whenever there has been a change in legislation regarding testing requirements.

"We are incredibly proud to be working in partnership with Liverpool John Lennon airport to support their testing needs," he added. 

"As we all start to accept and learn to live with Covid-19, we hope that our approach will make a real difference to those passengers who choose to fly from Liverpool John Lennon airport."

Commercial director for Liverpool airport Lucy O’Shaughnessy said the scheme will enable them to "offer a convenient and efficient PCR testing service".

"We are delighted to be the first airport in the UK to have such a unique facility and service," she added.

"Liverpool John Lennon airport can now provide our valued airline passengers with a state-of-the-art Covid testing facility on-site here at the airport as we start to resume our flight schedules and have more passengers flying again."