Leeds Bradford Airport has announced a £100 million plan to regenerate its sole terminal.

The project will see a 9,500 sq. metre, three-storey extension to the existing terminal, alongside a significant refurbishment of the current terminal building.

It will also create additional aircraft stands, more seating, faster security, new shops and eateries, and a larger baggage reclaim area and immigration hall, as well as improved access for passengers with restricted mobility.

The project would help the airport decarbonise its operations and meet its net zero ambitions with the installation of new heating, lighting and machinery, including new baggage belts.

Vincent Hodder, chief executive of Leeds Bradford Airport, said: 

“This announcement marks the beginning of a new era for Leeds Bradford Airport.

“This investment will give us the infrastructure needed to deliver an outstanding customer experience, support the growth of our airline partners, enhance connectivity for business, investment and trade and provide the airport that Leeds, Bradford and Yorkshire have been waiting for.

“LBA is a key asset for our region and our community, our investment enhances and supports broader investments underway in Leeds and Bradford creating new jobs, new opportunities and shared benefits for our community.”

Inside the new Leeds Bradford Airport terminal.

The airport has appointed Belfast-based Farrans Construction to deliver the first phase of the project, which will see the terminal extended.

LBA estimates that the scheme has the potential to create 1,500 new direct jobs at the airport and 4,000 new indirect jobs, as well as contribute a total of £940 million to the local economy.

Work will start on the terminal in autumn this year and is expected to be compete in 2026.

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Leeds Bradford Airport has completed its inaugural TUI flight to Dubrovnik in Croatia.

The first flight of the the new summer route departed yesterday at 1.55pm and will be followed by weekly flights operated by the airline.

In addition to Dubrovnik, TUI will increase the number of flights from Leeds Bradford to Turkish destinations Antalya and Dalaman. From May 24, twice weekly flights will depart to both destinations.

Leeds Bradford has 80 destinations on its 2023/24 schedule.

Nicola McMullen, aviation director at Leeds Bradford Airport, said:

“We’re thrilled to launch Dubrovnik and offer more holiday destinations than ever before at LBA.

“These routes are proven to be popular amongst customers for good reason and we’re pleased that we’re able to meet demand from across the region with increased capacity.”

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Delays are expected until Spring next year on a key junction between Harrogate and Leeds Bradford Airport while roadworks take place on the A660 and the A658.

The Dyneley Arms junction, at the top of Pool Bank, connects Pool-in-Wharfedale to north Leeds, as well as to Bradford, Otley and the airport.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority is spending £2.4m on the scheme, which involves widening roads and adding crossings and turning lanes.

The council said the works will improve journey times between Leeds and Harrogate. The main works will begin on September 12.

Cllr Helen Hayden, Labour councillor on Leeds City Council said:

“This junction was ranked one of the top congested junctions in the Leeds district. I’m pleased to see after a lot of efforts to deliver the scheme, we’re finally able to make a start to improve capacity at the junction.

“The scheme will also provide benefits to improve journey times between Leeds and Harrogate, and the intervening villages when it completes in spring next year. Like many schemes in construction across Leeds, we’re advising motorists to allow more time for journeys and to plan ahead where possible. We apologise in advance of any inconvenience caused.”

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Leeds Bradford Airport has abandoned plans to build a new £150m terminal, blaming “excessive delays” around a decision on whether it could go ahead.

In February 2021, the airport was granted planning permission by Leeds City Council to build the facility that would have replaced its current terminal.

The airport said it would help increase annual passenger numbers from four million to seven million and extend flight hours.

The company claimed the proposals would “deliver one of the UK’s most environmentally efficient airport buildings” but the plans faced criticism from environmental groups, including Zero Carbon Harrogate.

Following the council’s approval, the government decided to “call-in” the plans, which meant it would have had the final say on whether it would go ahead.

A public inquiry was announced by the government’s Levelling Up Secretary, Michael Gove, in January, but no dates had been set.

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LBA said “excessive delays” around the government’s decision to call in the plans led them to withdraw its plans.

Instead, the airport will focus on refurbishing its existing terminal.

Vincent Hodder, chief executive of LBA, said:

“Very good news” was the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce reaction after Leeds Bradford Airport was granted planning permission to build a new £150m terminal.

But the decision was unpopular with Zero-Carbon Harrogate who called it a “massive setback” for local climate targets.

The airport, which is 12 miles from Harrogate town centre, was yesterday given the green light by Leeds City Council to build the new terminal, which would replace the current terminal that was built in 1968.

Sandra Doherty, chief executive of chamber, said the expansion will improve Harrogate’s standing as an international conference and exhibition destination.

She also called for a new £42 million rail station on the Harrogate line that would connect with Leeds Bradford Airport with the town.

‘Fantastic news for our region’

The airport said the new terminal will help increase annual passenger numbers from four million to seven million.

Transdev Blazefield’s Flyer buses connect the airport with Harrogate as well as Bradford and Leeds and soon to be Otley.

The company’s CEO Alex Hornby called the decision “fantastic news for our region.”

He added:

“We’re looking forward to growing demand for public transport alongside Leeds Bradford Airport and continuing our investment in increased services and low-emission buses.”

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‘Such a setback’

24 people spoke yesterday against the plans including academics, environmentalists and charity bosses. Most cited the impact the extra flights will have on climate change and carbon emissions.

Rod Beardshall, transport lead at Zero Carbon Harrogate, said the decision “beggars belief”.

“It’s so utterly shortsighted. We are playing Russian roulette with our future. I’m absolutely shocked and dismayed. It’s such a setback.”

His view was shared by local environmental campaigner Brian McHugh who added:

“I would say that this is yet another example of the UK not living up to its climate emergency pledges. Why we are still investing in industries that raise emissions further is absurd.

“We have already seen the protracted case for Heathrow expansion and yet again it seems that potential economic benefits outweigh real enviromental damage.”