Leeds Airport: Does It Exist?

is there an airport in leeds

Leeds, a city in Northern England, is served by Leeds Bradford Airport, also known as Yorkshire's Airport. Leeds Bradford is an international airport, with flights to Fuerteventura, Palma, Aberdeen, and other destinations. The airport has a single runway and two check-in halls, with shops, restaurants, bars, and lounges. Leeds is also home to Leeds East Airport, a private aviation facility.

Characteristics Values
Name Leeds Bradford Airport
Location Leeds, United Kingdom
Airport Code LBA / EGNM
Distance from Leeds City 8 miles
Runway Single runway of 2,200 metres (7,200 ft)
Check-in Halls Two (Hall A and Hall B)
Lounges Three
Car Parks Long, medium, and short-stay
Retail Spaces Shops, restaurants, bars, and duty-free shopping area
Food Options Greggs, Starbucks, and Burger King
Other Amenities First-class lounge, Avro Lounge, Six Eight One Lounge
Aviation Academy Yes, operated by Craven College and the Open University
Flight Training Fixed-wing and helicopter training offered by Hields Aviation
Notable Incidents Runway overruns, braking malfunction, aircraft crash
Nightly Flight Allowance Exceeded by 747 flights in 2022
Nearby Airports Sheffield, Manchester, Kingston Upon Hull, Darlington, Liverpool, East Midlands, Blackpool, Newcastle upon Tyne

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Leeds Bradford Airport's lounges and facilities

Leeds Bradford Airport, also known as Yorkshire's Airport, offers lounges and facilities for travellers passing through. The airport features a terminal with two check-in halls: Hall A is used by all airlines except Jet2, and Hall B is solely used by Jet2. Upstairs, travellers can find retail spaces, shops, restaurants, bars, and a duty-free shopping area operated by World Duty Free. Food options include Greggs, Starbucks, and Burger King.

The airport also offers several lounges for travellers seeking a more exclusive and relaxing experience. The Six Eight One Lounge, new for summer 2025, offers a premium experience with fine details and a touch of exclusivity. The Avro Lounge, also new in 2025, provides a space designed for both relaxation and productivity, with seasonal food and a selection of premium wines, spirits, and continental beers. Additionally, the Yorkshire Lounge provides a calm and relaxed space with free drinks, snacks, and WiFi, allowing travellers to take in the runway views.

Leeds Bradford Airport also has long, medium, and short-stay car parks with 7,000 parking spaces and several drop-off points. The airport processes freight from its two cargo sheds and has a master plan for development through 2030. The Aviation Academy, located within a hangar, trains students for the commercial aviation industry, and Hields Aviation offers fixed-wing and helicopter training from its base opposite the Multiflight west hangar.

While the airport has faced challenges with queue management and night flight allowances, it continues to serve as a gateway to and from Leeds, offering travellers a range of facilities and services to enhance their travel experience.

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Aviation Academy at Leeds Bradford Airport

Leeds does have its own airport, Leeds Bradford Airport, which offers flights to destinations including Fuerteventura, Belfast, and Aberdeen. The airport has a terminal with two check-in halls, several lounges, and a variety of shops and restaurants. Leeds Bradford Airport also houses an aviation academy, providing vocational courses and degree programmes to prepare students for a career in the aviation industry.

The Aviation Academy at Leeds Bradford Airport is operated by Craven College in partnership with the Open University. The academy is located within a hangar at the airport, providing students with a unique learning environment and access to real-world experiences. The campus offers vocational courses in aviation and cabin crew, as well as degree programmes in aviation management and operations. Students can benefit from the academy's connections with local flying schools and specialised aviation skills academies, gaining the technical skills and knowledge sought by employers in the aviation industry.

The academy's location at Leeds Bradford Airport, one of the UK's major airports, allows students to be at the centre of the action. With over 2,350 jobs at the airport and more than 4 million passengers annually, the demand for aviation professionals is high. The academy's partnerships with companies like Jet2.com, Jet2holidays, and Leeds Bradford Airport itself, provide students with hands-on training and industry connections.

The Aviation Academy holds open evenings for prospective students to learn more about the courses and programmes offered. The academy also organises field trips and tours for its students, such as a visit to Belfast, where they had a VIP tour of the airport grounds, including airside operations, the fire station, the baggage area, and the arrivals hall. Additionally, students gain valuable experience through initiatives like a photo competition hosted by the Wellbeing Champions, which promotes student engagement and mental health awareness.

Overall, the Aviation Academy at Leeds Bradford Airport offers a comprehensive educational experience, providing students with the qualifications, skills, and industry connections necessary to pursue a successful career in the aviation industry.

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Accidents and safety at Leeds Bradford Airport

Leeds Bradford Airport, the 15th busiest airport in the UK, has been the site of several aviation incidents over the years, some of which have resulted in fatalities. Here is an overview of accidents and safety at Leeds Bradford Airport.

Runway Overruns and Aircraft Malfunctions

The airport has experienced several instances of runway overruns and aircraft malfunctions, including:

  • Prior to 1985, there were two recorded incidents of runway overruns involving British Midland Airways Viscount aircraft, with evidence of hydroplaning.
  • On May 27, 1985, a Lockheed Tristar operated by British Airtours overran the runway after a rain shower. The aircraft was evacuated, and only minor injuries were sustained by the 14 crew and 398 passengers.
  • On May 18, 2005, a Jordanian Airbus A320 suffered a braking malfunction on landing, touching down approximately 400 meters beyond the intended point. The pilots applied full reverse thrust and manual braking, but the normal braking system malfunctioned. The aircraft came to rest on a grassed area, and fortunately, there were no injuries.
  • On October 20, 2023, a TUI Airways Boeing 737-800 skidded off the runway while attempting to land in heavy rain caused by Storm Babet.

Aircraft Crashes

There have been several aircraft crashes associated with Leeds Bradford Airport:

  • On May 24, 1995, an Embraer EMB 110 Bandeirante aircraft operated by Knight Air entered a steeply descending spiral dive, broke up in flight, and crashed into farmland at Dunkeswick Moor near Leeds. Unfortunately, all 12 occupants were killed. The probable cause was the failure of the artificial horizon instruments, and the absence of a standby artificial horizon.
  • On an unspecified date, a twin-engine airplane departed from Leeds Bradford Airport, carrying a pilot and seven passengers. During the initial climb in marginal weather conditions, the plane encountered difficulties, lost control, entered a dive, and crashed in a field two miles from the airport. All eight occupants were killed. It is believed that the pilot may have become incapacitated due to an acute coronary episode.
  • In another incident, a plane departing from Leeds Bradford Airport for a flight to Belfast encountered smoke in the cabin. The pilot initiated a descending turn, but specific details about the outcome are not mentioned.
  • A mid-morning flight departing from Leeds Bradford Airport for Pakistan encountered problems during its final approach to the runway, flying slower than usual and at a low height. It entered a spin and crashed into a wooded area, resulting in the deaths of both occupants. The spin may have resulted from an accelerated stall as the pilot attempted to correct the approach.

Safety and Accident Claims

Leeds Bradford Airport is subject to the Health and Safety at Work Act, which ensures the safety of employees and travellers. The Act outlines that individuals have a duty of care to ensure the safety of others while on their premises. If an individual is injured due to negligence, they may be able to claim compensation.

In addition to these incidents, Leeds Bradford Airport has also faced challenges with queue management and flight allowances, particularly during the summer of 2022, when a lack of staff and an increase in post-pandemic flights resulted in extensive security queues.

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Nightly flight allowance at Leeds Bradford Airport

Leeds Bradford Airport, formerly known as Leeds and Bradford Municipal Aerodrome or Yeadon Aerodrome, has been operating 24 hours a day since 1994. The airport has a designated night-time period from 23:00 to 07:00, during which only the quietest jets are allowed to operate, and there are maximum permitted noise levels for both arrivals and departures. Additionally, there are restrictions on the number of aircraft movements permitted during the summer and winter months.

In 2022, it was found that Leeds Bradford Airport exceeded the nightly flight allowance of 2,800 during British Summer Time by 747 flights between March and October. The airport has denied rumours of applying for unlimited night flights, stating that they only seek exceptions for quieter aircraft and emergency flights. However, protesters argue that this could potentially lead to unlimited night flights.

The airport's history with night flights has been contentious. In 2024, a group called GALBA (Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport) claimed that the airport had failed to limit night flights during the summer for three consecutive years. This issue has been a source of concern for residents and led to protests.

Leeds Bradford Airport's single runway is 2,200 metres (7,200 feet) long and is aligned as 14 and 32. The airport also features two cargo sheds for processing freight, with plans to expand this operation. The terminal has two check-in halls, several lounges, and a variety of food and retail options.

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Leeds East Airport and Church Fenton

Leeds East Airport Church Fenton (ICAO: EGCM), formerly RAF Church Fenton, is an airport and former Royal Air Force station located 4.3 miles (6.9 km) southeast of Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, England. It is 6.3 miles (10.1 km) northwest of Selby, North Yorkshire, near the village of Church Fenton. The airfield opened on April 1, 1937, and within two months, No. 71 Squadron RAF arrived with the Gloster Gladiator. From 1979 to 1992, it was again home to the Royal Navy Elementary Flying Training School (RNEFTS), this time using the Panavia Tornado. Church Fenton was the RAF's main Elementary Flying Training airfield from 1998 to 2003.

In March 2013, it was announced that RAF Church Fenton would close by the end of that year, with units relocated to RAF Linton on Ouse. The site was sold in December 2014 to Makins Yorkshire Strawberries, with Makins Enterprises planning to target the business jet market and run a flying school. In February 2015, the airfield was renamed Leeds East Airport, with the slogan "Yorkshire's newest aviation destination." The site has since been used for filming, with the ITV drama Victoria shot at a hangar onsite in 2017.

In June 2023, Leeds East Airport was granted planning permission to develop 15,000 square meters alongside existing hangars into three sound stages/studios and office space. The airport has had a licensing application from the UK Civil Aviation Authority rejected, which led to the scrapping of plans for regular scheduled passenger flights and charter flights to various European destinations. However, it has been awarded an operating license for private use.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, Leeds has an airport. The airport is called Leeds Bradford Airport and is located 8 miles from Leeds, United Kingdom.

Leeds Bradford Airport has two check-in halls, shops, restaurants, bars, a duty-free shopping area, and three lounges in the departures lounge. The airport also has long, medium, and short-stay car parks with 7,000 parking spaces and several drop-off points.

Aside from Leeds Bradford Airport, the closest major airports to Leeds are Manchester Airport (61 miles away), Humberside Airport (67 miles away), and Durham Tees Valley Airport (71 miles away).

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