Contractor hired for latest stage of £100m airport regeneration

Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) has awarded the contract for phase two of construction works on its £100m regeneration project to Farrans Construction.

With the terminal extension (phase one) due to handover in summer 2025, the refurbishment of the existing terminal (phase two) of LBA: REGEN is expected to complete in winter 2026.

Farrans is a building and civil engineering contractor which operates across the UK and Ireland.

The company is already on-site completing the first stage of the project which involves construction of a 100,000 sq ft three-storey terminal extension.

Passengers will benefit from 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.

In phase two, Farrans will be undertaking a full refurbishment of the existing terminal.

Improvements will include creation of new staircases, lifts and escalators to provide an open plan feel which will complement the new lighter and brighter terminal extension.

Remodelled internal spaces will allow improved passenger movement and there will be new security and arrivals facilities, World Duty Free and shops, bars and restaurants.

The airport says that by 2030 the regeneration has the potential to create 1,500 new direct jobs at LBA and 4,000 new indirect jobs, as well as contribute a total of £940m to the local economy.

Vincent Hodder, chief executive of Leeds Bradford Airport, said: “We’re happy to be working with Farrans on phase two of our LBA: REGEN project.

“We’ve already created a strong working relationship with the team on phase one and as we transition into phase two, we’re excited to be able to take our customers along with us on this journey.

“It’s also an opportunity to let our customers know that while this important work gets underway, there will be temporary changes to the terminal while we deliver this new and improved customer experience.

“LBA: REGEN is the first major improvement to our terminal since its opening in 1968 and is long overdue. It’s vitally important to upgrade LBA to the world-class facility Yorkshire deserves.”

Cathal Montague, regional director at Farrans Construction, added: “We are pleased to be continuing our strong working relationship with Leeds Bradford Airport as they progress with this important improvement project which will have long term benefits for this region.

“Our experience in the aviation sector has enabled us to work collaboratively with our client to ensure the airport’s operations have continued without disruption, and we will be putting in place similar plans as we move forwards into phase two.

“Our team is fully invested in the complete delivery of this regeneration project and I am pleased that we will be remaining on site to see the work come to completion at the end of phase two.”