Leeds Bradford Airport has laid out plans for a massive expansion with £200 million of direct private capital investment over the next five years. 

The plan, called Vision 2030, involves expanding terminals, new aircraft stands and new routes beyond Europe for the first time, to destinations in the North Atlantic and Middle East.

Leeds Bradford Airport is currently the 10th-largest airport in the UK outside of London, with just over 4 million passengers in 2023. It has been owned by London-based InfraBridge since 2017, which claims to have a successful track record of investing in airports globally.

It said the plan will create up to 5,500 new jobs and contribute a total of nearly £1 billion to the local economy as the airport reaches an anticipated 7 million passengers a year by 2030.

Vision 2030 is aiming to increase terminal floorspace by 38% and create up to 10 new aircraft stands for overnight LBA-based aircraft. It said the new stands are intended to attract airline partners to base quieter and more efficient planes, as well as provide options to introduce new destinations and build upon existing routes.

Vincent Hodder, CEO of Leeds Bradford Airport, said: “The launch of this LBA Vision 2030 marks a new era of travel for the region. This transformative strategy will play a vital role in facilitating trade links for local businesses, creating thousands of new jobs, and attracting international investment to Yorkshire. Our commitment is bold and ambitious, but we are firm in our stance to build a net-zero carbon future for the airport. With this comprehensive plan in place, we are confident that LBA can continue to play a significant role in improving international connectivity for the region and supporting local economic growth for many years to come.”

Looking beyond 2030, LBA has pointed towards longer term ambitions for a new purpose built replacement terminal, the construction of a new hotel within walking distance of the airport and the potential growth of specialist air freight.