Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBIA) is the fastest growing regional airport in the UK. It is Leeds' international gateway to the world, with daily flights to all major European destinations and a wide network of onward connections worldwide. LBIA handles just under three million passengers a year, and demand is growing rapidly.
The airport was initially known as Yeadon Aerodrome when it commenced club flights and training in 1931. Scheduled flights began four years later in 1935. The first flights were to Newcastle, Edinburgh, Blackpool and the Isle of Man. A new runway was opened in 1965, and the terminal building was sadly destroyed by fire. A replacement terminal was opened by 1968.
Currently, LBIA has only one terminal and one runway, but rest assured, it is a thriving international airport. Since 1996 the terminal building has virtually doubled in size. Usage is forecast to grow to around seven million passengers per annum by 2015, requiring extensive development for additional terminal capacity.
LBIA is approximately 11 miles to the north west of Leeds, near Yeadon, Rawdon and Horsforth. Allow half an hour to travel there by car from Leeds, but it will take longer in rush hours, especially in the evening. The airport can get very busy, especially at holiday and peak business travel times.
From Leeds, the airport can be reached by following signs for Yeadon and Otley northbound on the A660. From Bradford, take the A658 (Harrogate) northbound out of the city centre and again follow signs for Yeadon. Those approaching from the east or west should use the M62, and those approaching from the north or south should use the M1. The nearest train stations are Horsforth and Guiseley.
The MetroConnect Bus Service is the easiest and most efficient way to get to LBIA from Leeds. There is ample luggage space on board and you can choose to buy your ticket either in advance or when you travel.
MetroConnect 737 is a dedicated service linking Bradford, Shipley, Guiseley and Yeadon with LBIA. The service operates every half hour from Monday to Saturday, with an hourly service on Sunday. The 747 travels through Bradford, Guiseley, Shipley and Yeadon every hour during peak times.
The MetroConnect 757 service links Otley, Leeds bus station and Leeds train station with LBIA. The service runs every thirty minutes daily from Monday to Saturday, while an hourly service operates during off-peak hours and all day on Sunday. The service calls at all Metro stops en-route from Leeds and Otley to the Airport.
Bus2Jet is a new service, linking Harrogate with LBIA. Buses run every 90 minutes, with 12 journeys a day in each direction. After departure from Harrogate Bus Station, buses stop at all stops, but to pick up only. From LBIA, buses stop at all stops, but to drop off only.
Yorkaircoach.com (operated by First York) provides an hourly, express, direct coach service between York Rail Station and Leeds Bradford International Airport. Discounted tickets are available when booking on-line – plus you can show your e-ticket to travel free on any First York service to and from York rail station to connect with the coach. Tickets can also be purchased on the coach, at the Travelex Bureau at LBIA or at York Rail Station Visitor & Information Centre - visit www.yorkaircoach.com for more information.
The Yorkshire-run low-cost airline Jet2.com has operated from Leeds since 2003. They offer flights to 27 European destinations from LBIA, with fares from as little as £9 including taxes. There are 18 bmi services a day from LBIA, including four to Heathrow and Brussels. Other scheduled airlines offering flights from LBIA include Ryanair, KLM, Air Southwest, Eastern Airways, Aer Arann, Flybe and Manx2.com.
Jet2.com and Thomson operate from check-in hall B and all other airlines operate from check-in hall A. Domestic and international arrivals are located on the ground floor of the terminal. You must check-in at the airport at least one hour before a scheduled flight and three hours before a charter flight. Proceed through to the departure lounge at least 45 minutes before flight departure.
The airport has a business lounge located in the departure lounge on the first floor, with wireless internet facilities and internet docking points. You will also find power points for laptops, telephones, fax facilities, complimentary newspapers and free drinks (hot and cold, alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and snacks.
LBIA tries to ensure their disabled passengers are able to travel as comfortably and hassle-free as possible. Facilities for disabled passengers include reserved parking close to the terminal building for disabled badge holders, lifts to all floors, disabled toilets on all floors of the building, hearing induction loop, wheelchairs and ramps available on request and ambulift for assisting passengers with boarding and alighting from the aircraft.
Fully licensed airport taxis are available in front of the airport terminal. The taxi rank is directly outside the terminal building. Taxis can be booked in advance by calling one of the companies below. These taxis are metered and regulated by Leeds City Council. Car hire is available from the desks in the terminal building. Alternatively, you can arrange car hire in advance either by phone or online. Again, the contact details are shown below.
Short-stay and express parking is situated directly in front of the terminal building. The long-stay car park is located to the left of the airport building and a regular mini bus service operates to and from the terminal. Although you don't have to make a reservation for parking, it is recommended that you book it well in advance to ensure availability and to take advantage of advance booking discounts. To pre-book visit the airport website at www.lbia.co.uk or call the car park telephone number below.
There are a number of hotels immediately surrounding LBIA. The nearest is Travelodge Leeds Bradford Airport, which is on-site. Chevin Country Park is in Otley, just under three miles from the airport, and Britannia Leeds Bradford is situated in Bramhope. Contact details can be found in the Links section, below.