Airport celebrates passenger record (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Yeadon site bucks the trend to become the fastest-growing airport in top 15

8:08am Tuesday 21st September 2010 in Business By Chris Holland, Business Reporter

Aviation bosses are over the moon after Leeds-Bradford International Airport became the fastest-growing top-15 airport in the UK.

The Yeadon site handled record numbers of business and leisure passengers in the past year, according to the latest figures from the Civil Aviation Authority.

In July, LBIA handled 352,175 passengers compared to 318,549 passengers during the same month in 2009 – a rise of 11 per cent.

During the year, the airport expanded its catchment area and achieved several milestones, including becoming an operating base for budget carrier Ryanair, with two aircraft and 21 routes.

Yeadon-based low-cost airline Jet2.com also introduced new services from LBIA, while domestic operator Flybe saw strong demand for its services on five routes, including London Gatwick.

Tour operators Thomas Cook and Thomsons also expanded their capacity to Egypt, Turkey and the Canaries.

LBIA also pressed ahead with infrastructure improvements ahead of the planned £28m development of its passenger terminal.

Tony Hallwood, 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.”