Go-ahead for airport expansion proposals

YORKSHIRE’S LARGEST airport is set for an expansion designed to improve passenger experience, attract a greater range of airlines and support route development.

Councillors have given full planning permission to Leeds Bradford Airport, meaning work can now start in the spring.

The new three-storey extension to the main airport terminal building is expected to provide larger immigration and baggage reclaim areas and improved departure gate facilities as well as extra retail and food outlets.

Members of Leeds City Council’s city plans panel were enthusiastic about proposal, with Coun Paul Wadsworth saying: “The airport has briefed us four or five times, and we feel very wellbriefed on the proposals. I think they have taken on board everything we have said, including the pedestrian links going back into the terminal to improve the public transport connection.”

After committee members voted unanimously in favour of the proposals, chairman Coun James McKenna said: “We want to see our city grow and transportation is vital – we all want to fly on our holidays from Leeds Bradford – we don’t particularly want to go to Manchester.”

Work will include replacing the current passenger walkway with a two-storey structure housing arrivals at ground level and departures on the first floor.

Afterwards, airport chief executive David Laws said: “This is fantastic news for the region’s passengers and the wider economy. 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.

“This will allow us to attract a greater range of airlines and support route development, which in turn will deliver additional international destinations.”