Business urged to back Heathrow link

BRITISH Airways will look to expand its newly launched service from Leeds Bradford International Airport if Yorkshire business people get behind it, a senior executive has said.

THE first British Airways flights from Leeds to London Heathrow in three decades will take off on Sunday.

Speaking at a seminar held at the Leeds office of law firm Pinsent Masons to promote the service, James Keegan, British Airways commercial services manager for the UK regions said since signing up for the service the carrier had received “unbelievable warmth” from the region and its people.

He admitted weekday flight times from Leeds Bradford to Heathrow were not ideal – the earliest flights arrives in the capital at 10.25am – but said Yorkshire businesses could still do a full days work.

And he said if both leisure and business travellers supported the service, which will see British Airways operate four services a day between the two airports, a wider range of departure times could be introduced.

Mr Keegan added that flights were timed to offer convenient onward connections to global destinations.

Tony Hallwood, commercial director at Leeds Bradford, told the audience the new service would boost the region’s economy by £10m a year.

Lurene Jospeh, chief executive of Leeds and Partners, which has been supporting the partnership, said: “The Leeds city region economy needs to connect to a global hub airport, and these flights offer huge benefits.

“An airline with BA’s global reputation reinforces that we are city moving forward with confidence towards a landmark year, and greatly benefits businesses pushing for investment and international trade.”