Plans for a major extension to the main airport terminal building at Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) have been approved by Leeds City Council.
The decision means that construction of the two/three storey extension to the main airport terminal building to provide an improved arrival experience, including significantly larger immigration and baggage reclaim areas, improved departure gate facilities, additional retail and food and beverage outlets and additional free seating willlook to commence in spring 2019.
Part of the airport’s ‘Route to 20 30 Strategic Development Plan’ – which will see annual passenger numbers increase from four million to seven million by 2030 – it is the biggest investment to date in the site by AMP Capital since it purchased the airport in October 2017.
LBA chief executive, David Laws said: “This is fantastic news for the region’s passengers and the wider economy. With work scheduled to be complete in winter 2019/2020 we are increasing peak – time capacity to deliver a first class passenger experience and create an airport Yorkshire can be proud of.
“This will allow us to attract a greater range of airlines and support route development, which in turn will deliver additional international destinations that our business and leisure passengers’ desire.”
LBA contributes £336m to the local economy every year and delivers over 2,350 direct jobs, and the development comes as part of the wider strategy toimprove the region’s connectivity nationally and internationally.
Once the new building is complete, works will then commence on re-modelling the existing terminal building to provide a new security central search area, enhanced check-in facilities, and a simplification of the customer journey through the existing departure lounge, which will also include new retail and F&B offers.
The final phase will include the construction of a new pier, replacing the current passenger walkway with a two-storey structure, housing arrivals and ground level, and departures being processed at additional new boarding gates on the first floor.
