Regional UK airport’s £100million renovation to open this summer with huge new terminal
A HUGE new multi-million airport renovation is opening this summer in the UK, just in time for the busy travel season.
The first phase of a major revamp at Leeds Bradford Airport will be completed later this year.
Its huge upgrade will feature an extension of its terminal, with a bigger baggage reclaim area and enhanced security facilities.
There will also be two new customer lounges and new dining and retail spaces for passengers.
Accessibility will also be improved as part of the huge upgrade.
The huge expansion will come as the regional UK airport sees its passenger numbers continue to rise.
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Last year, the airport ferried 4.24million passengers through its building, a rise of 5.8 per cent on the previous year.
The news comes after the airport's boss, Vincent Hodder, revealed plans to start long-haul flights from the airport.
Last year, he revealed that conversations were taking place with airlines about connecting the airport to far-flung destinations for the first time in its history.
He told the BBC: "We’re already having those conversations with airlines from North America and the Middle East about how we can collectively work together to make those things happen over the next two to three years.
"I would be disappointed if by 2027 we did not have flights to North America and the Middle East."
Destinations like New York, Boston, Chicago, Jeddah, Oman and Dubai are all being considered under the proposal - although no new long-haul routes have been confirmed.
Last year, low-cost airline easyJet launched a direct service between Leeds Bradford and Paris.
The twice-weekly service launched on October 28, 2024, and will run until March 28, 2025, with flights operating every Monday and Friday.
Leeds Bradford’s Aviation Development Manager, Tom Holdsworth, said: "It’s been a remarkable year here at LBA and it’s great to see numbers of both passengers and flights continue to increase at a good level.
"Our existing partners including easyJet, Jet2, KLM, Ryanair, and Wizz Air have continuously increased the number of flights and destination offerings for customers travelling from LBA throughout the year, plus we’ve welcomed SunExpress as a new airline partner.
"2025 is a really exciting year for us as the terminal regeneration really comes to life and we’ll see customers enjoy a new travel experience from LBA in the summer."
Meanwhile, Bristol Airport has revealed plans to start long-haul flights - after scrapping them more than a decade ago.
The regional airport once offered flights to New York; however, these were shelved back in 2010.
But new plans could see long-haul flights once again operate from Bristol Airport.
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Three other UK airports getting revamped
HERE are three other airports in the UK currently undergoing multi-million-pound renovations.
Last year, London Stansted Airport confirmed its plans for the £1.1 billion renovation. The Ryanair hub will be extending its main terminal. £500million will be put into improving the current terminal and the rest of the airport.
A renovation at Bristol Airport will also see its terminal size increase. The £400 million revamp follows a record number of people travelling through the airport, welcoming 10 million passengers in a 12-month period for the first time ever.
Manchester Airport is currently being revamped. The £1.3billion project was first announced back in 2015, with work being split into two phases.
London Stansted Airport confirmed a £1.1billion renovation, with a £600million new terminal.
And Manchester Airport is currently undergoing a £1.3billion renovation