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| Leeds Bradford Airport's £100m terminal extension opens to passengers | Leeds Bradford Airport's £100m terminal extension opens to passengers |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The £100m upgrade provides about 40% more space to customer areas, according to the airport | The £100m upgrade provides about 40% more space to customer areas, according to the airport |
| A long-awaited extension to Leeds Bradford Airport's (LBA) terminal building has been opened to passengers. | A long-awaited extension to Leeds Bradford Airport's (LBA) terminal building has been opened to passengers. |
| The £100m project is the largest investment yet in facilities at the airport and increased space in customer areas by about 40%, LBA said. | The £100m project is the largest investment yet in facilities at the airport and increased space in customer areas by about 40%, LBA said. |
| Three new boarding gates have been added to the airport along with a new immigration area, baggage collection hall, food and drink outlets and an 83% boost in seating. | Three new boarding gates have been added to the airport along with a new immigration area, baggage collection hall, food and drink outlets and an 83% boost in seating. |
| 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". | 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". |
| Details of the privately funded project were first announced in 2018, but were quickly eclipsed by a more ambitious plan to build a brand new terminal at the south end of the runway. | Details of the privately funded project were first announced in 2018, but were quickly eclipsed by a more ambitious plan to build a brand new terminal at the south end of the runway. |
| Airport bosses scrapped that scheme in 2022 because of "excessive delays" and a decision to hold a public inquiry into the development, with building on the extension starting in 2023. | Airport bosses scrapped that scheme in 2022 because of "excessive delays" and a decision to hold a public inquiry into the development, with building on the extension starting in 2023. |
| A tour around Leeds Bradford Airport's new terminal | A tour around Leeds Bradford Airport's new terminal |
| Some of the first passengers to use the extension reacted positively to the upgrade. | Some of the first passengers to use the extension reacted positively to the upgrade. |
| Martin Gratton, 56, is a frequent flier who uses the airport about four times a month. | Martin Gratton, 56, is a frequent flier who uses the airport about four times a month. |
| "We say it's the gateway to the North so I am very pleased with it," he said. | "We say it's the gateway to the North so I am very pleased with it," he said. |
| "It's a good representation of Leeds and of Yorkshire in general." | "It's a good representation of Leeds and of Yorkshire in general." |
| He added: "I think the seating is important, especially for families." | He added: "I think the seating is important, especially for families." |
| American footballer Dawson Davis Junior, 40, said: "It is nice to see modern airports - I think the more modern the airport feels the more comfortable you are. | American footballer Dawson Davis Junior, 40, said: "It is nice to see modern airports - I think the more modern the airport feels the more comfortable you are. |
| "Leeds is nice, the city is beautiful so I guess it matches the city." | "Leeds is nice, the city is beautiful so I guess it matches the city." |
| Martin Gratton (l) and Dawson Davis Junior (r) were among the first passengers to use the extension and both reacted positively to the space | Martin Gratton (l) and Dawson Davis Junior (r) were among the first passengers to use the extension and both reacted positively to the space |
| Work on the next stage of the airport's reconfiguration will begin later this year, with a full refurbishment of the existing terminal and a new security hall. | Work on the next stage of the airport's reconfiguration will begin later this year, with a full refurbishment of the existing terminal and a new security hall. |
| Asked if a terminal extension meant there would be more flights, Mr Hodder said: "By the time we get to the 2030s and 2040s we would certainly expect to be exceeding the capacity of this terminal. | Asked if a terminal extension meant there would be more flights, Mr Hodder said: "By the time we get to the 2030s and 2040s we would certainly expect to be exceeding the capacity of this terminal. |
| "That will require another wave of investment to increase the scope of the airport and meet the needs of Yorkshire." | "That will require another wave of investment to increase the scope of the airport and meet the needs of Yorkshire." |
| He added: "It's vitally important to upgrade LBA to the world-class facility Yorkshire deserves." | He added: "It's vitally important to upgrade LBA to the world-class facility Yorkshire deserves." |
| The airport said the terminal extension and redevelopment of the original buildings had the potential to create 1,500 direct jobs at LBA and 4,000 indirect jobs by 2030. | The airport said the terminal extension and redevelopment of the original buildings had the potential to create 1,500 direct jobs at LBA and 4,000 indirect jobs by 2030. |
| The LBA terminal extension includes a new baggage collection hall | The LBA terminal extension includes a new baggage collection hall |
| At the scene - Elizabeth Baines, BBC Yorkshire reporter | |
| After making your way through the bustle of the existing warren-like departure lounge and duty free, the revamped area stands in stark contrast. | |
| When I arrived early on Tuesday, many holidaymakers were enjoying the view from the wraparound windows offering a panorama of the parked planes outside. | |
| Other passengers seemed unaware of today's "soft launch" - some people were still sat on the floor of the original 1960s building despite the new space. | |
| For those who found the new extension, the response I was given was positive. | |
| Passengers thought the expansion would not only make journeys more enjoyable but bring LBA in line with neighbouring airports. | |
| Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. | Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. |