Leeds Bradford Airport expansion set to boost Yorkshire economy and international connectivity by 2030

Credit: Leeds Bradford Airport

With the opening of the new terminal extension at Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) in June, CEO Vincent Hodder is celebrating the potential economic growth and future international connectivity for Yorkshire.

“We unveiled our Vision 2030 strategy in August last year and since then LBA has been on a transformational journey,” says Hodder. “Backed by £200 million in private investment, our plans will create 5,500 new jobs and contribute nearly £1 billion to the local economy as we aim to reach an anticipated seven million passengers a year by 2030.”

The first part of this transformation is the £100 million extension of the existing terminal, now open to passengers, offering more seating, new shops and eateries, a larger baggage reclaim area and immigration hall. The second phase, a full refurbishment of existing facilities, has begun and will include improved security and check-in areas, larger duty free, retail and arrivals spaces.

“We are increasing terminal floorspace by 38 per cent, as well as making investments in the existing airfield to create up to 10 new aircraft stands for overnight LBA-based aircraft. These stands are intended to attract airline partners to base quieter and more efficient planes, as well as provide options to introduce new destinations and build upon existing routes. These modern aircraft have on average 21 per cent more seats available than the current offering. All in all, this investment makes LBA a more attractive opportunity to a wider variety of airlines and we want this to be reflected in the choice available to our customers.”

LBA aims to secure more routes to European hubs and potential new destinations in the Middle East. Improved connectivity will support Yorkshire’s diverse economy, which includes manufacturing, agriculture, financial services and the digital sector. The region is home to 8.1 per cent of the UK’s working-age population and contributed 6.4 per cent of the UK’s economic activity in terms of GVA in 2022.

The Leeds City Region is a leading location for foreign direct investment, particularly in digital and business services. It is a hub for financial, legal and professional services, with over 30 national and international banks based there, and expertise in creative media, data analytics, cyber security, FinTech, telecoms, health and education technologies.

“Demand for air travel in our region is currently under-served and, out of the eleven million yearly journeys that originate within Yorkshire, we serve four million plus. Investment in the airport’s infrastructure and customer experience will open opportunities for Leeds Bradford Airport to serve significantly more journeys within the local catchment area.”

“Our LBA: REGEN goal is to increase our passenger numbers to 7 million per annum by 2030 and nearly 10 million per annum by 2045. To do this, we must invest in infrastructure to make our airport fit for the future. For too long, LBA has gone without, and it is now vital for us to respond to the changing needs of our passengers, business partners and employees so we can continue to offer an airport our region can be proud of.”

Alongside terminal improvements, investments include runway upgrades, new aircraft stands, a rail station, airport hotel and enhanced car parking. Supporting Yorkshire’s economic growth will require over 12,000 additional jobs by 2030, creating well-paid, highly skilled aviation roles.

“Leeds Bradford Airport already brings substantial benefits to the region’s economy by improving connectivity, bringing visitors to the region and providing employment opportunities for local people. With our commitment to further enhancements, the future of both the airport and the local area is incredibly bright. Our pipeline of ambitious development projects will deliver on Leeds Bradford Airport’s mission to be an outstanding airport, connecting Yorkshire to the world.”

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