Thursday 23 July 2009

Leeds Bradford International Airport Development Plans Approved

Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBIA) today, (Thursday 23rd July, 2009), received the go-ahead* from Leeds City Council's Planning Committee to proceed with a £28m development of its passenger terminal and provide impressive new facilities at the region's premier airport.

 The scheme which is backed by the airport's private equity owners Bridgepoint, follows its purchase of the airport in May 2007 and delivers a commitment to create 'best in class' facilities to enhance LBIA's status as the Gateway to Yorkshire.

Development

 The plans include a new two storey building extension and internal improvements to the existing terminal, providing:

• A new airside departure lounge
• Expanded passenger security screening zone
• Redesign of domestic baggage reclaim hall
• A wider selection of retail and catering facilities
• Re-modelling of the airside immigration facility
• The two storey extension will give around 4,600 sqm of new accommodation, of which 2,300 sqm will be provided at ground level to improve the concourse, check-in and security facilities, and 2,300 sqm at first floor level to provide a departure lounge and retail link.

The latest announcement follows the recent completion of a £2m redevelopment of the airport forecourt.  Phase One included access improvements for the bus and airport shuttle which links the airport with frequent services to Leeds, Bradford and Harrogate alongside a new drop off and pick up zone for car passengers. A convenient taxi booking point has now been relocated by the ranks to ease passenger departures.

 Phase Two saw a streamlined rapid pick up and drop off zone, redevelopment of the short stay car park and improved pedestrian walkways.

 Employment

 LBIA plays a vital role in the economy of the region, with 2,200 employees dependent on the airport.  It is estimated the development will create a further 2,000 collective jobs, including employment in the construction industry.

 Regional Economy

 LBIA will promote the use of local labour and companies during the construction of the terminal, where feasible.

• CAA 2007 documents record that 75% of potential LBIA customers living in the catchment area travel to other regional airports. 3.7 million people from North and West Yorkshire use air services from Manchester, Liverpool, East Midlands or London

Tourism

• Tourism is an important economic industry, contributing £6.3 billion to the Yorkshire economy
• 250,00 people are employed in the tourism industry in Yorkshire

 John Parkin, Leeds Bradford International Airport's Chief Executive, said: 'We welcome the decision from the Planning Committee which marks an important milestone in the development of a progressive national and international gateway for the region. We are now able to enhance the original vision of the consortium of local councils who previously owned the airport to develop LBIA.  We are committed to the transformation of the airport to assist the region's economy by encouraging inward investment and creating more jobs."

We are passionate in our determination to deliver a passenger experience which offers the very best in airport design and service standards for Yorkshire and the Humber."

 Gary Verity, Chief Executive, Welcome to Yorkshire said "Expansion at our airport may make it easier for people living here to go abroad, but it makes it equally easy for people around the world to come here.  International visitors tend to be higher spending visitors and increasing the number of international visitors to Yorkshire will play an important part in growing the visitor economy.  Good, regular air links are clearly one factor which helps an international visitor to decide which part of the UK to visit.  Currently we lose out to other parts of the country who are better connected to Europe and the rest of the world. "