Heathrow and Leeds Bradford Airport routes aim to boost Yorkshire economy

Heathrow and Leeds Bradford Airport are embarking on a new partnership with an aim to help businesses across Yorkshire establish a presence in growth markets across the globe.

John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow CEO, is scheduled to visit Leeds in April to meet Leeds Bradford’s CEO, John Parkin to discuss how both airports plan to collaborate to strengthen the county’s links to global growth if Heathrow is given the greenlight to expand.

The proposed package is designed so Heathrow, as the only hub airport in the UK, will offer support to routes from Leeds Bradford to the hub and a review of Heathrow’s charges from domestic routes to be applied in January 2016.

A £10m Route Development Fund will also be implemented to help new routes between domestic airports like Leeds Bradford and Heathrow when needed.

Independent research by Quod, commissioned by Heathrow and based on economic analysis by the Airports Commission, demonstrates how the new expansion will benefit Yorkshire and The Humber up to £9b in economic growth and an estimated 11,200 new jobs.

John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow CEO, said: “We’re ready to connect Yorkshire to global growth. We have been listening to businesses, politicians and now to the National Connectivity Task Force, and today’s announcement shows that we have a plan to deliver what Britain needs. Only Heathrow can connect all of Britain to global growth. That’s why we are best for Britain and backed by Britain. Let’s get on with it. “

John Parkin, Chief Executive, Leeds Bradford Airports added: “Leeds Bradford is the international gateway airport for the great region of Yorkshire - an important tourist and business destination Expansion at Heathrow will mean that our business and leisure passengers have access to a much wider choice of worldwide destinations serving the needs of our region. Passenger numbers on the Leeds Bradford to Heathrow route have delivered strong growth over the last 12 months and we expect to see the number of people travelling between Leeds City Region and the capital double over the next 5 years. To achieve this goal we need to secure an increase in flight frequency which matches our demand profile.

“Airports are key economic drivers for UK plc and an expanded Heathrow will support more jobs and stronger growth for Leeds, Bradford and the wider Yorkshire region. We now look forward to working with Heathrow Airport to secure more flights slots for carriers operating to LBA thus ensuring our business community can increasingly connect to the world from Leeds Bradford “

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