The managing director of Leeds Bradford International Airport has heralded the Capital of Culture bid as an effort by Bradford to help itself without waiting for others to get it back on track.

Ed Anderson said: "We are keen to support the bid by Bradford to be nominated as the European Capital of Culture for 2008.

"The airport contributes to, and in turn benefits from, the economic prosperity of its surrounding areas."

The airport, which has just announced several new routes, has around 15 per cent of its passengers coming from the Bradford area.

Mr Anderson added: "If the bid is successful, I would expect significant benefits to flow, both in terms of external perceptions of the city from a regional, national and international perspective and also in terms of Bradford's own self-image.

"It is very difficult to be precise about the reasons why a city's external image changes in the way that Glasgow's did following its award of Capital of Culture status, or even why the image of cities like Leeds or Birmingham were transformed during the 1990s.

"The change, once it has started, can gather a momentum of its own, however, and it can result in significant economic benefits from inward investment or re-investment by existing businesses."

Mr Anderson felt business, and even to an extent government, was more comfortable about investing in situations where it had confidence that the claimed benefits flowing from that investment would actually be delivered.

"It is that sort of sea change and spiral of success that can result from the Capital of Culture bid being successful," he said.

"The city's own self-image can also be transformed by the Capital of Culture bid being successful, particularly given the prominent positive emphasis on the city's rich cultural diversity.

"This is especially relevant following the riots that occurred in Bradford and in other cities last year.

"It is always pleasing to receive accolades and praise from others and this is no less true for a city's collective self-esteem than it is for an individual.

"There is a real sense that the city itself is taking steps to resolve its issues rather than waiting for others to solve them on its behalf. In many ways this is the most attractive aspect of the Bid."

Mr Anderson added: "The benefits that I have described will accrue to some extent if Bradford is short-listed but these are likely to be relatively short-lived and limited.

"The real benefits will accrue once Bradford is announced as the winner."