Aviation Minister checks into Leeds Bradford Airport to discuss ‘vital’ expansion of Heathrow

Leeds Bradford Airport welcomed Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Aviation Minister, to discuss the positive impact a Heathrow runway expansion would bring to the Leeds City Region.

During the visit, which followed on from the Heathrow expansion consultation last week, the Aviation Minister met with LBA’s chief executive John Parkin.

A range of aviation topics were discussed including the Heathrow Airport expansion, the importance of improved rail and road access to LBA, as well as growth plans for the airport.

The Heathrow expansion will enhance connectivity to and from Leeds Bradford Airport, which already has a three times daily route to and from Heathrow with British Airways.

Increased connectivity is expected to help grow regional investment and boost the local economy, as well as encourage inbound tourism.

Lord Ahmad’s visit also comes after Chris Grayling MP, Secretary of State for Transport, met with airport executives last week to have a tour of the airport.

Lord Ahmad, Aviation Minister, said: “I am delighted to have had the opportunity to visit Leeds Bradford Airport and see first-hand the important work they are doing.

“An expanded Heathrow is vital for the whole of the UK, it will make sure we have the right connections to thrive in the global market. Yorkshire and Humber could especially benefit, with an additional 210,000 passengers passing through on international connections by 2040, helping exports, creating jobs and boosting the region’s economy.”

John Parkin, chief executive at Leeds Bradford Airport, commented: “It was a pleasure to welcome both Lord Ahmad and Chris Grayling MP to LBA in the last two weeks. I’d like to thank them for the time they took out of their busy schedules to visit.

“They both saw first-hand how we are developing the airport to meet demand for air travel in the city and region; as well as the investments being made in our facilities, road and railway infrastructure.

“We were pleased to see the launch of the Heathrow expansion consultation, which will help to attract investment and reach key international markets from Yorkshire. We discussed this and other broader aviation matters today and we look forward to keeping the Department for Transport fully briefed on our progress.”

The consultation for the Heathrow expansion will take place over a sixteen week period, before a final version is submitted for a vote in Parliament later this year.