YEP readers praise 'ambitious' and 'positive' Leeds Bradford Airport expansion plan

The overhaul is one step closer to being built after the plans were submitted to Leeds Council.

The new 'state of the art' terminal being built on the site will include three main floors and improved vehicle access and the new site will be closer to a proposed parkway rail station, announced by Leeds City Council last year.

It is hoped that work would be able to start on construction of the site by the end of this year, and for the new terminal to be up and running by 2023.

Last week, some readers thought the idea was devastating, bewildering - or thought it should be scrapped altogether.

However, others think the idea is ambitious and positive, and that it will offer better facilities for travellers, additional business and tourist opportunities and a boost for the local economy.

Ivan Kovacks said: "Whilst I agree with many of the negative comments your readers have made about the proposed expansion of the airport, I think there is one positive thing they have over looked (YEP letters, May 15).

"Yes, I’m against the expansion of the flying hours, yes, I know the virus spreads quicker by air but that will never change and, yes, I also believe it could take years for the numbers flying to get back up to the pre virus numbers.

"However, as a frequent user of this facility I think it needs replacing if only to give more space to its users. At the moment flyers are treated little better than cattle, with not enough seating, room or even good places to rest and eat. We need a new building with more room and far better facilities.

"If we get that I’d be happy. I’d also be happy if that went alongside reduced flights, shorter flying hours and decent links to the airport."

Stuart Hodge said: "As a huge supporter of Leeds Bradford Airport, I wish to convey my backing for the proposal to construct a new environmentally sensitive terminal facility at the Yeadon site. The job creation and additional business and tourist opportunities it would create should be promoted.

"This airport has huge potential but through decades of under investment, has failed to deliver the services and job opportunities the people of Yorkshire so richly deserve. Quieter, cleaner aircraft have a diminishing environmental impact and through LBA offering more services, huge numbers of polluting car journeys to the other side of the Pennines can be minimised.

"For goodness sake, let us support this ambitious project that will benefit the region for decades to come."

"In 2019, 102 rockets were launched throughout the world, that is almost one every three days. Each one giving out more carbon in one launch, than the entire number of aircraft in the skies for one week.

"Of these 100 plus, 95 satellites were launched into the orbit. These rockets will never cease. Why? Because every country in the world needs telecommunications, they need GPS, these have to be updated and, launched into space by rocket!

"Just think what damage that is doing to the ozone level. The expansion at LBA will create new jobs, it will stimulate the local economy, at a time when in these uncertain times, the economy needs every help it can get."

"Hopefully including the Parkway station. Do the naysayers not see that this godsend of an airport brings in thousands of jobs to the local area? This fantastic facility on our doorstep allows easy links to all of Europe and only 20 minutes from the doorstep of over 1.5 million Yorkshire folk of Leeds and Bradford.

"There are also multiple roads available to get to Yeadon. If one blocks there are many others. Yes there will be some extra noise and pollution but this is preferable to the one and a half hour drive to Manchester over the M62, never quite knowing if you’ll miss your flight due to an accident, or the hour to get to Sheffield Doncaster Airport.

"When Covid is over we will need jobs, we will need holidays, we will need freight transportation, we will need salvation from lockdown."