Bigger Airport Means Better Business For Leeds

Our city needs a bigger airport surrounded by better transport links before we can properly do business with the rest of the world.

That's from a group of local employers today - as councillors debate plans to transform North West Leeds.

They want to double passenger numbers from Leeds Bradford Airport, and build new road and rail links

It could also allow local companies to build better links with the rest of the world.

Jim Hart is CEO of Europlus Direct, based opposite the airport. He says in turn, it'd boost the local economy..

"I think still nowadays face to face business is absolutely critical so the airports and flying to meetings whether it’s customers coming into us or us going out, it’s absolutely critical for growing our business and employing more people.

"We often end up flying from Manchester Airport, which is slightly ridiculous considering Leeds Bradford Airport is a five minute walk away from our office, so it’d be good if Leeds Bradford Airport was a bit bigger and could handle more European flights as well - and I think it’d make it a lot easier for people in Leeds to do business with Europeans."

But he says we also need better transport links to and from the site...

“I think really the main disadvantages are the links to the city centre - basically you have to jump on a bus or a taxi and the taxis are extremely expensive so I think that probably puts some passengers off coming to Leeds Bradford Airport.”