Construction on a three-storey extension to the main terminal at Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) in England has commenced.

As reported, the expansion will introduce new retail and food & beverage options, enhanced departure gate facilities, an uprated arrivals hall and larger immigration and baggage reclaim areas [click below to view a CGI walkthrough of the new facility].

Leeds Council approved the plans in December.

Aviation Minister Baroness Sugg visited the site yesterday. She commented: “The development at Leeds Bradford Airport will not only further strengthen it as an important global gateway to Yorkshire, but will also provide passengers with an exceptional travelling experience to and from the region.

“Improvements for local communities as well as major infrastructure projects like investment at Leeds station, Northern Powerhouse Rail, HS2 and Heathrow expansion will continue to bring our country closer together, helping people move around more quickly and easily than ever before.”

MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS

The airport is also remodelling its existing terminal building facilities once the £12m ($15.7m) extension completes, falling in line with a major development of the wider area.

This includes more than £170m ($222m) invested by government in public transport improvements in the Leeds area.

By 2020, the government will have pumped £13bn into transport facilities across the North, including developing major infrastructure projects such as HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail.

A new runway at Heathrow Airport is also expected to deliver large benefits to Yorkshire, increasing its connectivity to the rest of the country, while lifting regional exports and driving local growth.