Liverpool FC's billionaire owner in private jet scare at John Lennon Airport

Linda Pizzuti Henry; Principal Owner John W. Henry; manager Jurgen Klopp; Club Chairman Tom Werner and President Mike Gordon at Anfield [Courtesy]

Liverpool FC's billionaire managing owner Mike Gordon was onboard the private jet that skidded off the runway at John Lennon Airport this morning, Mirror.co.uk can reveal.

Mr Gordon, known as 'the man who runs Liverpool' by fans, was flying into the city for a series of meetings at the club.

The Bombardier BD-700-1A11 Global 6000 jet, which had taken off from Hanscom Field in Massachusetts, overshot the runway after it landed at 6am.

Emergency services were called to the scene following the incident.

Neither Mr Gordon or the three crew were injured and it's understood that the billionaire simply carried on with his schedule for the day following the incident.

He praised the emergency services and staff at the airport for the way they handled it.

The airport was closed leading to Liverpool FC fans returning from Salzburg following the team's 2-0 Champions League win facing disruption to their journey.

A club source told Mirror.co.uk: "Mike is absolutely fine. There were no injuries and he wants to pass on his appreciation to the unbelievable staff at John Lennon Airport and the emergency services for the way they dealt with the incident which made it a non-traumatic experience."

Mr Gordon is Fenway Sports Group’s second largest shareholder with around 12%. Only John Henry (around 40%) holds a bigger stake in an organisation which has the Boston Red Sox and Liverpool among its lucrative business interests.

He is FSG's representative running LFC on a daily basis alongside Anfield chief executive Peter Moore.

However, his role extends way beyond simply reporting back to Boston-based principal owner John W Henry and chairman Tom Werner.

He doesn't give interviews or have a public profile, and back in 2015 the ECHO's then LFC correspondent James Pearce wrote: “that’s how he likes it.”

Mr Gordon grew up in Milwaukee but moved to Boston as a student and has enjoyed a hugely successful career in finance.

A spokesman for the airport told the Liverpool Echo: "I can confirm that around 6 am a private business jet with four people on board - three crew and a passenger landed OK but then came off onto the grass. For whatever reason it has skidded off the runway.

"There are no injuries but because of where it has ended up we have had to close the runway. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines before travelling."

The runway will be closed until at least this afternoon, an airport spokesman added.

Some travellers are reporting delays of up to four hours.

Eric Henderson, 44, from North Wales, is among passengers affected. He was due to fly on a 7.40 am flight to Amsterdam on business.

He said: “We were told at 6.50 am it was being delayed to 11am and then we were told it was cancelled.

"A plane has come off the runway. It’s just one of things and you have to get on with it. I am in a queue as we are being transferred to Manchester. Everyone is safe, that’s the main thing.”

He added: “There are a few angry people about and queues everywhere. It’s a bit chaotic."

Another passenger said: "Sat on an easyJet flight waiting to leave John Lennon Airport.

"But an aircraft has come off the runway and we are now stuck. Any updates, anyone?"

A third person said: "Flights to #liverpoolairport being diverted to Manchester after a plane went off the runway. John Lennon airport closed until 11:00 for now."

Another said: "Liverpool airport has closed the runway.

"If anyone is flying there this morning you will need to make other plans #liverpoolairport #Runway #closed."

There are no reports of injuries.

An investigation is underway to find out what happened.