Leeds Bradford to reveal expansion plans

Update – see Airport press release with the details, on 4th November 2008 at:
http://www.lbia.co.uk/newsandupdates-newsstory.php?storyid=20081104
 
30.10.2008   (UK Airport News)

Proposals for a £28m extension of the terminal at Leeds Bradford Airport will be discussed in a series of open meetings before the submission of a planning
application to Leeds City Council. The initial expansion proposals are part of
a £70m package.

A report to a council committee next week says the proposals will provide internal
improvements to the existing terminal and a new two-storey extension. Changes
will be made to the immigration area to provide a larger queue area, more desks
and support offices, and an enlarged security search facility. The re-organisation
of the domestic baggage reclaim hall will increase circulation space and improve
space for the coach gate hold room.

The two-storey extension will give around 4,600 sqm of accommodation, of which
2,300 sqm will be provided at ground-floor level to improve the concourse, check-in
and security facilities, and 2,300 sqm at first-floor level to provide a departure
lounge and retail link.

http://www.uk-airport-news.info/leeds-bradford-airport-news-301008.htm

 

and

Wharfdale and Airdale Observer

Leeds Bradford Airport to unveil scheme for terminal extension

 30th October 2008

By Annette McIntyre

The first phase of a £70 million airport investment plan which could bring 2,000
new jobs to the area is to be unveiled next week.

Proposals for a £28m extension of the terminal at Leeds Bradford Airport will
be discussed in a series of open meetings before the submission of a planning
application to Leeds City Council.

This week airport officials were tight-lipped about the details of the plans
prior to the public consultation, but they confirmed that the initial expansion
proposals would cost around £28m and would be part of a £70m package.

A report to a council committee next week says the proposals will provide internal
improvements to the existing terminal and a new two-storey extension.

Changes will be made to the immigration area to provide a larger queue area,
more desks and support offices, and an enlarged security search facility.

The re-organisation of the domestic baggage reclaim hall will increase circulation
space and improve space for the coach gate hold room.

The two-storey extension will give around 4,600sqm of accommodation, of which
2,300sqm will be provided at ground-floor level to improve the concourse, check-in
and security facilities, and 2,300sqm at first-floor level to provide a departure
lounge and retail link.

The massive £70m investment in infrastructure and facilities was announced after
the airport was bought by European private equity firm Bridgepoint for £145.5m.

Since then about 30 new flights have been announced and in August the airport
saw a record 345,000 passengers pass through the terminal – the highest number
the airport had experienced in a single month and a five per cent increase on
last year.

The number of passengers travelling out during the summer months also grew significantly
with a total of 1,277,752 passengers passing through the airport between May and
August, making the airport one of the fastest growing in the UK.

The expansion and investment plans are to be discussed at a meeting of Leeds
City Council’s North West (Outer) Area Committee on Monday.

A report to the committee describes the airport as playing a "vital role in the
economy of the region, facilitating commerce and tourism and providing both direct
and indirect employment."

It says: "The re-organisation and expansion of the existing terminal is necessary
to provide passengers with a good standard of facilities.

"The proposals will improve the circulation of people throughout the airport
and reduce the delays and congestion currently experienced, particularly at peak
hours.

"The proposed improvement to existing facilities within the terminal building
are vital in maintaining the airport’s competitiveness, so that it can compete
with rival airports such as Newcastle, Manchester, East Midlands and Liverpool.
The continued success of the airport provides considerable benefits to the local
and regional economy."

Guiseley and Yeadon councillor John Bale said: "In the present economic climate,
the decision of LBIA to expand their terminal facilities in order to deal with
increased passenger numbers must be regarded as good news.

"The company has said that every 1,000,000 passengers per year will generate
1,000 extra jobs. That could mean another 2,000 jobs in our area by 2013, for
a growth from 3,000,000 to 5,000,000 passengers.

"I’m not going to disparage that at a time when people will be losing their jobs
in other industries, but there must be room for some doubt as to whether the growth
is achievable in the economic climate that is likely to exist over the next few
years – and with what seems to be an increasing concern about the environmental
impact of air travel.

"On balance, I would support the growth plan, for the reason of jobs and local
access to a wide range of travel destinations. Even at 5,000,000 passengers a
year, LBA would be small by comparison with airports like Manchester.

"But it’s important that the growth is seen as sustainable by the local community.

"That means no night-flying unless it’s absolutely unavoidable, a combined approach
by LBA, Metro and local authorities to increasing public transport access to the
airport; complete opposition to scruffy off-site car parks with mini-buses plying
their trade back and forth.

"We also need financial support from central government for road and rail improvements
– it’s important to remember that central government gave their blessing to the
expansion of the airport back in 2003. Once the economic crisis is over, the Leeds
City region will need strategic support from government for infrastructure improvements
of the kind that have already been achieved elsewhere."

http://www.wharfedaleobserver.co.uk/news/3804265.__70_million_airport_expansion_plan_/