Leeds Bradford Airport opens new terminal

The £100m redevelopment programme was carried out by Farrans Construction, and included the modernisation of the existing LBA terminal building and the addition of a 102,000 sq ft, three-storey extension.

The wider project team includes architect Miller Design + Management, steelwork contractor Elland Steel Structures, and structural engineer Dudleys Consulting Engineers.

The long-awaited project has added around 40% more space for passengers, with three new boarding gates, a new immigration area, baggage collection hall, food and drink outlets, and an 83% boost in seating.

Back in May the airport received a £160m refinancing and capital expenditure facility from NatWest, to support the LBA:Regen project.

Details of the project were first announced in 2018, but since then the expansion has been hit by a series of delays.

The terminal expansion and upgrade will increase the airport’s passenger capacity from 4.3m/yr to around 6.8m by 2030, aiming to make LBA more competitive and to capture growing demand.

LBA chief executive officer Vincent Hodder said it was the “first major improvement to our terminal since its opening in 1968 and is long overdue.”