LEEDS Bradford Airport is celebrating serving a record number of customers - just as plans for new passenger bus links have been unveiled.

A total of 243,343 passengers passed through the Yeadon airport during July, a 13 per cent jump over the figures for the same month in 2003.

Those figures also represent the highest number of passengers ever recorded by LBA in a single month.

For the past year and a half it has been one of the fastest growing airports in the UK and is on target to have dealt with more than 2.3 million passengers in 2004.

A delighted Managing Director, Ed Anderson, said: "'The record numbers using Leeds Bradford are proof of the strength of demand for flights from this airport and the excellent service provided by our staff."

Yet again budget airline flights accounted for much of LBA's July business, with Yorkshire's low cost firm jet2.com carrying 89,959 passengers to 11 destinations.

In total, jet2.com along with fellow low cost operators Ryanair and flybe accounted for 48 per cent of the airport's traffic last month.

Two new services were also announced during July, with jet2.com set to start a daily link to Paris on September 1, in addition to the existing 17 flights per week operated to the French capita by bmi.

And on November 1 bmi will begin a new service to London City Airport with 21 flights per week.

Meanwhile a new bus link from railway stations across Leeds and Bradford to LBA could be in place as early as this autumn.

The West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Authority (Metro) is considering several bids from companies keen to run a service from stations across the area, including Guiseley.

Airport board chairman Councillor Tony Cairns said the new MetroConnect services would be welcomed by air passengers - a view shared by Councillor Ryk Downes (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon).

Coun Downes said: "I think any additional bus services are to be welcomed. I'm aware this probably won't provide a high percentage of passenger access - there aren't that many people who will use it, but they still are there and need to be accommodated where possible.

"And quite often other people, as well as air passengers, can use these kinds of services and be dropped off en-route.

"Also, anything that takes away some traffic from our roads has to be positive. I know we have a problem with some people parking their cars on the streets of Yeadon and then leaving them there as they get up to the airport and fly off for a few weeks, so this could help counter that.

"On the face of it I'm in favour of this but I'll reserve final judgement until we see exactly what we're getting."

Aireborough and Horsforth MP Paul Truswell also believes the development is positive.

He said: "Any measures that integrate public transport links with the Airport and provide an alternative to the private car for airport passenger, staff and

visitors are to be welcomed as a move in the right direction.

"While its contribution is obviously limited, it reflects the right kind of thinking. But it needs to be part of an overall transport, access and environmental approach to the airport's operation."