Airline and holiday companies operating from Leeds Bradford International Airport are over the moon about business levels.

Domestic airline Flybe had record ticket sales at LBIA last weekend, while Yeadon-based package holiday firm Jet2holidays.com says summer bookings are running at four times higher than last year.

Weekend tickets sales at Flybe were 25 per cent higher than this time last year.

The company, which operates between LBIA and London Gatwick, Southampton, Aberdeen and Belfast, said bookings from business travellers were also on the rise. The surge had been boosted by special promotions of low fares on ten million seats.

Mike Rutter, Flybe chief commercial officer, said: “The 25 per cent increase in this past weekend’s sales was yet another milestone for Flybe and a crucial one in reflecting a possible return in consumer confidence across the UK regions.

“This, coupled with a significant return of business travel sales in recent weeks, is an encouraging sign as the country looks towards 2010.”

Flybe recently won the 2010 best short-haul airline award.

Jet2 boss Philip Meeson is also looking forward to a bumper year as holiday bookings and seat sales soar.

Jet2holidays.com, which is offering several new destinations for 2010 in its summer brochure, said bookings were four times higher than last year.

Trade has been boosted by price promotions and enabling customers to pay for holidays by instalments. Tunisia, Gran Canaria, Kos and Madeira are resorts included for the first time.

Mr Meeson said business was soaring due to people’s determination to find the sun after the harsh winter and a disappointing British summer last year.

He said: “The summer holiday remains very important for many people, who seem more determined to leave the gloom and snow behind.

“We are very encouraged by business trends so far and I’m looking forward to a healthy 2010 in both our holiday package business and the airline, where seat sales are growing fast.”

Meanwhile, Thomas Cook Airlines is the first UK charter airline to launch an internet check-in service for passengers travelling from LBIA.

It will enable customers to buy flights, select seats and print out boarding cards at home up to seven days before departure.

Director of customer services Joanna Wild said: “We’re always looking at ways that we can give our holidaymakers more control over their booking, and this innovation gives people the freedom to choose where they sit as well as making the airport experience a quick and easy one.”

LBIA commercial director Tony Hallwood said: “Flybe’s domestic routes from LBIA offer a stress-free way to reach key UK destinations in around an hour. Our business travellers are utilising the 7am morning flight to London Gatwick, which gives them access to the capital in time for a meeting at 9am.

“As Yorkshire’s gateway airport, we are delighted to be involved in supporting Thomas Cook’s new online check-in service. Our aim is to ensure passengers have a relaxing start to their holiday, and the opportunity to choose your own seats from the comfort of home will be a real winner with passengers.”