News | Airlines

Leeds Bradford Fast Growing Airport

2010-10-08

Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBIA) is now one of the top 15 fastest fastest growing top 15 airports in the UK. So says an official report from the CAA.

The figures show a very healthy 11% year on year growth in July 2010 when the Yorkshire airport handled a staggering total of 352,175 passengers when compared with the 318,549 passengers dealt with over the same month in 2009.

These record passenger numbers recognise the strength of business and leisure demand across what is described as: 'LBA's large and growing catchment area.'

LBIA's strong performance was the result of several key milestones at the airport in 2010, including:

• Ryanair opening its 34th base at Leeds Bradford in March of this year with two aircraft and the successful launch of 21 routes.

• Jet2's expansion of its destination choice from Leeds Bradford with the introduction of services to Bergerac, Corfu and Tunisia. New destinations for 2011 include Madeira and Bodrum. And New York will also be reintroduced for Winter 2010.

• Strong demand for LBA's domestic schedule, including Flybe services to Southampton, Belfast City, Exeter, Aberdeen and London Gatwick.

• Continued growth of tour operator capacity to Egypt, Turkey and Canaries with both Thomas Cook and Thomson.

Also, and this can be seen to be of vital importance, LBIA continues to invest in its airport infrastructure ahead of its planned £28m development of its passenger terminal at Yorkshire's premier airport.

Tony Hallwood, LBIA's Commercial and Aviation development director, said: “LBIA is very pleased to be one of the UK's fastest growing airports and bucking the national trend. Our growth to 76 destinations in 2010 and continued expansion by our airline partners means that we can look forward to 2011 with confidence”.