Leeds Bradford Airport plans to double passenger numbers by 2030

Leeds Bradford Airport has ambitious plans to increase passenger numbers to 7.1m a year by 2030, according to its latest ‘masterplan’.

The plan, Route to 2030, outlines the next 13 years of development at the airport, with stakeholders invited to submit feedback.

Key issues in the report include support or a new road link around the airport between the A658 and the A65 with a spur to the airport, a parkway station on the Harrogate-Leeds rail line, expansion of aircraft stands, boarding gates and new taxiways and the terminal.

An ‘economic hub’ with further industrial and office space would create more jobs at the airport.

John Parkin, chief executive at Leeds Bradford Airport, said: “This Masterplan paves the way for the future of LBA and importantly sets out ways in which we will seek to meet air travel demand in a sustainable way, while contributing significantly to the economy.”

The report follows turbulence in the travel industry following Brexit, with airlines insisting on the continuation of the European Union’s ‘open skies’ policies. Ryanair has been one of those to admit it would scale back UK operations if this could not be guaranteed.

Recent business survey data also found that only 8% of firms in the Leeds City Region export outside the UK and only 6% outside the EU. The airport said that that this had become a focus for the city region’s LEP and Chamber of Commerce in part to further this demand for air travel.