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05
Mar
First look at Leeds Bradford Airport £100m terminal expansion
Leeds Bradford Airport has released visuals of what its £100 million terminal expansion will look like.
The privately funded development, known as LBA: REGEN, will deliver a 9,500 square metre, three-storey extension to the existing terminal, alongside a significant refurbishment of current facilities.
Farrans Construction started work on the project last April. The airport said the scheme would deliver a “modern, efficient and sustainable facility”.
Nearly a year into construction, the airport today published a computer-generated walk-through video of the new terminal (below), as well as images of what the it will look like.
Leeds Bradford said the new departure lounge will include improved seating areas, as well as more shops and eateries.
A new baggage reclaim area will be developed as part of the scheme, which the airport said has been designed to “streamline the arrivals process".
The passport control area will also be upgraded and new security technology installed.
John Cuncliffe, commercial director at Leeds Bradford Airport, said phase one work looks set to be completed this summer:
We’re excited to share the new video and visuals that offer passengers a preview of what’s to come at the airport.
Our transformative terminal expansion is not only about creating a modern, comfortable airport experience for travellers but also about building a sustainable future for travel in the region.
With construction progressing on schedule, we look forward to welcoming passengers to our upgraded facilities this summer.
LBA: REGEN will enhance passenger experience and support the region’s economic growth, the airport previously said.
Once the terminal expansion is finished, work will turn to phase two of the project, which focuses on refurbishing the existing terminal.
It will include an enlarged central search and check-in areas, alongside larger duty free, retail and arrivals areas.
Credit: Leeds Bradford Airport
Credit: Leeds Bradford Airport
Long-haul destinations
Leeds Bradford Airport last year revealed plans to start operating long-haul flights by 2030, with destinations such as New York and Dubai on the cards.
It came as part of the airport’s Vision 2030 strategy, which outlines plans to improve facilities backed by a £200 million investment – half of which has been spent on the terminal expansion.
The airport welcomed more than four million passengers in 2023, but anticipates having some six million by 2027, and seven million by 2030.
It wants to increase frequency and choice of destinations, as well as add more domestic routes in the UK.
In an interview with the BBC, chief executive, Vincent Hodder, said destinations currently being pursued include New York, Boston and Chicago in the US, as well as Jeddah, Oman and Dubai in the Middle East.
He added at the time:
We’re already having those conversations with airlines from North America and the Middle East about how we can collectively work together to make those things happen over the next two to three years.
I would be disappointed if by 2027 we did not have flights to North America and the Middle East.
Ten new aircraft stands will be installed at the airport, while Vision 2030 documents suggested funds could also be put towards a railway station, airport hotel and updated parking facilities.
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