Bosses at Leeds-Bradford Airport are hoping they can hit new heights this year with a breakthrough in passenger numbers.

They expect to break the three million passengers a year barrier during the next few months, to kickstart a successful 2012.

And with an £11 million terminal redevelopment under way, which will provide a 65 per cent increase in departure lounge size and a wider range of food and drink and duty free, when it is complete in the summer, LBA commercial director Tony Hallwood is looking to push on in the New Year.

He believes the Yeadon site can continue to be the country’s fastest-growing airport.

“We’re just below the three million mark now, so a resolution is we want, for the first time in the airport’s history, to break the three million passengers per year barrier,” Mr Hallwood said.

“We believe that target will be reached around Easter time and we’ll be looking to celebrate that very major milestone.

“And we’ll look to continue to introduce a wider range of exciting services from the airport for people who want to travel abroad, and there are plenty of key commercial centres and a number of capitals across Europe where we are looking to deliver those connections.

“And we’re always looking to try to introduce new airlines as well. We’ll continue to talk with a number of carriers about introducing services to the West Yorkshire region.”

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