LBIA announces plans for new terminal

As the aviation industry continues to grapple with the far-reaching effects of global recession, the Leeds-Bradford airport will be the only UK airport that is all set to expand next year, its managers have said.

The Leeds Bradford International Airport is poised to record a double digit number in terms of growth for the financial year 2010. It is one of the few UK airports to show any growth during these trying times. The number of direct routes available from the airport is also set to increase, reportedly from 79 to 120.

Though a specific date has yet to be set, the airport intends to build a new terminal in the next year. The reported cost of the project is estimated to be around 28 million pounds.

In the pipeline is a five-year transformation programme which is expected to cost around 70 million pounds. The two-storey terminal to be built will be the focal part of this programme. The plan was put in place by the airport’s new owners, Bridgepoint, who aim to provide better facilities and attract over 5 million passengers in the next few years.

Ryanair had announced its transfer from Manchester to LBIA, and this move has given the Leeds Bradford airport a significant fillip.. Around a thousand additional jobs for every extra million passengers are expected to be generated due to the said move.

Meanwhile, talks to LBIA with a rail service are also in process, although no final outcome has yet been announced. A campaign is going to be set up to consider the possibility of a tram train link to provide commuters with easy access to the airport. This move has the potential to reduce the number of cars heading to LBIA by 4 million a year. Also, if the plans do indeed go through, LBIA would get its own rail station, which would be part of the regional rail network.