The whole of Yorkshire is set to benefit from Leeds Bradford Airport’s Plans to expand over the next ten years

The first stage of an ambitious vision to increase passenger numbers at Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) by three million in just over ten years will begin later this year.

The development is seen as the airport as crucial for the whole regional economy and should help open up new business opportunities for firms across Yorkshire.

The decision by Leeds City Council to grant planning permission for the construction of a large extension to the main terminal building means that the first stage of the Route to 2030 Strategic Development Plan for the airport can get underway.

And that vision will benefit the whole of Yorkshire, according to Media Relations Manager Phil Forster, who says a thriving airport is vital for a thriving region.

Work is due to start on the two/three storey extension in Spring.

It will include providing significantly larger immigration and baggage reclaim areas, improved departure gate facilities, additional retail and food and beverage outlets and additional free seating, all aimed at improving the passenger experience, said Mr Forster.

That development will be followed by work to re-model the existing terminal building to provide a new security central search area, enhanced check-in facilities, and a simpler journey through the existing departure lounge, which will also include new retail and food and drink outlets.

The final phase of the masterplan will include the construction of a new pier, replacing the current passenger walkway with a two-storey structure, housing arrivals at ground level, with departures being processed at additional new boarding gates on the first floor.

Running alongside that will be developments to improve access to the airport by road and public transport with a railway station in the pipeline to offer a direct connection to LBA.

The Route to 2030 Strategic Development Plan – which will see annual passenger numbers increase from four million to seven million by 2030 – is the biggest investment to date in the site by AMP Capital since it purchased the airport in October 2017

Mr Forster said: “We are obviously delighted to have been given planning permission by Leeds City Council. All the councils, all have really helped us. It’s been a fantastic example of the private and public sector working together.”

Asked why it was so important for LBA to have such a huge increase in passengers, Mr Forster said: “The simple reason is what the airport can do for the region. The mantra we have is a thriving region needs a thriving airport.

“We look at the region, and it’s incredible. We know the potential is there, and we are working with all the councils, the business organisations, the combined authorities, and many other groups, not just for the good of the airport, but for the good of the region.

“Look at what airports can do in terms of inbound tourism, investment, the jobs they can create”

MR FORSTER

“Look at what airports can do in terms of inbound tourism, investment, the jobs they can create.  They can really put the region on the map. We fundamentally believe it’s what the region needs.

“It provides confidence for businesses. They can look outward and further afield when they are looking at what they want to do ultimately,” he said.

David Laws, Chief Executive of Leeds Bradford Airport, said the first part of the project would be completed early next year.

“This is fantastic news for the region’s passengers and the wider economy,” he said.

“With work scheduled to be complete in winter 2019/2020 we are increasing peak-time capacity to deliver a first-class passenger experience and create an airport Yorkshire can be proud of.”

DAVID LAWS, chief executive of LEEDS BRADFORD AIRPORT

The importance of the expansion plan for the whole region was emphasised by Nolan Tucker, director at Deloitte Real Estate, planning consultant on the project.

 “This is a significant step in the successful development of Leeds Bradford Airport. It is hugely important that this gateway to our region reflects its scale and importance to the wider UK.

“This is the first in a series of future infrastructure projects which will improve access to the airport, helping to increase its capacity, deliver tangible return on investment and fuel future economic growth.

“The role of Leeds Bradford Airport in the City Region’s development strategy cannot be overstated.”

Contributing £336m to the local economy every year and delivering over 2,350 direct jobs, LBA is a hugely important player in the Leeds Bradford region.

And Mr Forster said the airport was looking to become even more of a key player at the heart of the Leeds Bradford community.

He said they had excellent relationships with the local Chambers of Commerce and with the CBI, and were talking to businesses all the time about how LBA could help them.

“We want people to use their local airport – and we believe people want to use their local airport,” he said.

“Just recently we’ve started a service to Munich, and that’s really a sign of things to come because hopefully that’s one for leisure and business.”

He stressed the importance of businesses supporting LBA to help it grow the services they need.

“We need the whole region to come together and back us here. The more bums on seats we can get, then the more we can go back to the airlines and show them we have a case to make and we can increase connectivity, and add more business destinations.”

He said the development would create many more jobs, both directly at the airport and indirectly through the many support services and companies linked to it, and said Bradford in particular was an area they were looking to in that regard.

“We are really keen on the apprenticeship angle, and Bradford is the youngest city population in the UK.

“We want to create a culture, a different environment, where passengers come through and want to use the airport because they have the best possible experience, but we also want to create a workforce who are proud to work in the airport and have a career in the airport, so we want to bring in more apprentices who can then go on to have a career at the airport.”

He stressed that the work on the development would be done by local businesses.

“We want to create an airport that Yorkshire can be proud of and we want all of Yorkshire businesses to benefit from this airport as well, whether that’s just in terms of utilising our connectivity but hopefully as we build the airport as well.

“We are the airport for Yorkshire – we want all of Yorkshire to be involved in it.”