Yorkshire environmentally friendly airport proposal to create nearly a thousand jobs

Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) is striving to become the UK’s most environmentally efficient airport, having submitted proposals for a new state-of-the-art replacement terminal.

The airport said the development will support 12,650 permanent jobs across the city region, as well as create 850 construction jobs.

It also said that the plans will improve passenger experience, support the regional’s economic prosperity and enable it to reach its target of becoming carbon net zero by 2023 for airport operations.

The plans, first announced in January this year, replace a previously consented scheme and LBA’s existing terminal building with a three floor, 34,000 sq. mt. development on an alternative site within the airport’s boundary.

LBA’s existing terminal, built in 1965, is the 15th busiest airport in the UK and contributed £475m to the local economy in 2018.

LBA has engaged in an extensive consultative process with over a thousand residents and organisations across Yorkshire, who provided feedback on the proposed plans.

If approved, it is anticipated that work could begin before the end of 2020, with the terminal completed in 2023.

Hywel Rees, chief executive of Leeds Bradford Airport, said: “The new terminal design allows delivery of existing consented capacity in a more efficient way, with a smaller environmental footprint. The replacement building will have a modern, flexible design whilst achieving operational excellence.

“We are committed to the future of LBA and bringing our plans to fruition if approved. This significant investment in the airport will protect and create new jobs, boost international connectivity, and comes at a time when the region and sector need to turbocharge the economic recovery.”

Sandy Needham, chief executive of the West and North Yorkshire Chamber, commented: “Connectivity to markets around the world will remain a major factor in the growth of our regional economy once we are through the current crisis, and so plans to redevelop Leeds Bradford Airport are welcomed by the Chamber.

“Dealing with the short-term implications of COVID-19 will undoubtedly be at the forefront of the minds of businesses but longer term market entry strategies will benefit from more efficient international connectivity from our regional airport.”