Leeds Bradford International claims it will still be Yorkshire's number one airport despite a decision to build a new one in the region.

Officials remain confident despite Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's decision last week to allow Peel Airports to develop the old RAF Finningley base, near Doncaster.

It was thought that Finningley would cater for the major international long haul market but evidence at a public inquiry suggests that it will be smaller than Leeds Bradford.

It is aiming to attract more than two million passengers by 2015 which is less than Leeds Bradford airport.

Airport managing Director Ed Anderson said: "We felt that the lack of need for another airport in the region was well established at the Finningley public inquiry and we shall of course be examining this decision carefully.

"In the meantime, we are fully committed to providing excellent air services to the region's business and leisure travellers.

"If Peel do decide to develop Finningley in the current climate, we feel that their impact upon the region as a whole, and upon LBA's continued growth, will be minimal for many years to come."

Leeds Bradford airport is celebrating a record year and hopes its passenger numbers this year will exceed those expected by Finningley in 2015.

This year the airport has seen low cost airline Jet2 commence 50 flights a week to Amsterdam, Milan, Barcelona, Nice, Malaga, Alicante and Palma.

Planetair, KLM, Ryanair and Bmi British Midland also fly from the airport.

A new £20million scheme to build a new terminal development is due to commence in July 2003.

Multiflight has already commenced a new £8million development of aircraft maintenance, corporate, general aviation and training facilities including two new B737 size hangars, which is expected to be completed at the end of the year.

A 48-bed budget hotel is also planned for the Yeadon area.

The first three months of 2003 have seen year on year passenger growth at Leeds Bradford of 25 per cent breaking all previous records.

It also expects year on year growth of over 30 per cent during the summer months when all the Jet2 routes become fully operational.

Residents in Horsforth have welcomed the news, according to Neil Hunt who held an airport consultation in the town.

"I wrote to everyone in Horsforth about the air transport review and there was clearly a great deal of support in the area for Finningley," he said.

"Residents see it as a much better alternative than seeing all Yorkshire's air transport going to one place."

Horsforth residents have been very concerned about the growth of Leeds Bradford Airport due to the noise created by aircraft.