Airport's £100m extension opens to passengers

A long-awaited extension to Leeds Bradford Airport's (LBA) terminal building has been opened to passengers.

The £100m project is the largest investment yet in facilities at the airport and increased space in customer areas by about 40%, LBA said.

Three new boarding gates have been added to the airport along with a new immigration area, baggage collection hall, food and drink outlets and an 83% boost in seating.

LBA chief executive officer Vincent Hodder said it was the "first major improvement to our terminal since its opening in 1968 and is long overdue".

Details of the privately funded project were first announced in 2018, but were quickly eclipsed by a more ambitious plan to build a brand new terminal at the south end of the runway.

Airport bosses scrapped that scheme in 2022 because of "excessive delays" and a decision to hold a public inquiry into the development, with building on the extension starting in 2023.

Some of the first passengers to use the extension reacted positively to the upgrade.

Martin Gratton, 56, is a frequent flier who uses the airport about four times a month.

"We say it's the gateway to the North so I am very pleased with it," he said.

"It's a good representation of Leeds and of Yorkshire in general."

He added: "I think the seating is important, especially for families."

American footballer Dawson Davis Junior, 40, said: "It is nice to see modern airports - I think the more modern the airport feels the more comfortable you are.

"Leeds is nice, the city is beautiful so I guess it matches the city."

Work on the next stage of the airport's reconfiguration will begin later this year, with a full refurbishment of the existing terminal and a new security hall.

Asked if a terminal extension meant there would be more flights, Mr Hodder said: "By the time we get to the 2030s and 2040s we would certainly expect to be exceeding the capacity of this terminal.

"That will require another wave of investment to increase the scope of the airport and meet the needs of Yorkshire."

He added: "It's vitally important to upgrade LBA to the world-class facility Yorkshire deserves."

The airport said the terminal extension and redevelopment of the original buildings had the potential to create 1,500 direct jobs at LBA and 4,000 indirect jobs by 2030.

After making your way through the bustle of the existing warren-like departure lounge and duty free, the revamped area stands in stark contrast.

When I arrived early on Tuesday, many holidaymakers were enjoying the view from the wraparound windows offering a panorama of the parked planes outside.

Other passengers seemed unaware of today's "soft launch" - some people were still sat on the floor of the original 1960s building despite the new space.

For those who found the new extension, the response I was given was positive.

Passengers thought the expansion would not only make journeys more enjoyable but bring LBA in line with neighbouring airports.

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