Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) has announced that selected flights and passengers will soon get an early look at its new terminal building, ahead of its official public opening.
As phase 1 of the airport’s £100 million terminal expansion nears completion, some arriving passengers will be invited to use the new arrivals process. This includes a brand-new baggage reclaim area, designed to streamline the experience, along with an upgraded passport control area featuring advanced security technology.
Testing is now fully underway, with the airport yet to confirm an official opening date. The redevelopment is part of a broader commitment to enhancing the passenger experience, supporting sustainability, and contributing to regional economic growth.
John Cunliffe, Commercial Director at LBA, said: “This is a huge milestone for our airport and passengers will get a real feel for our new terminal experience within this testing phase. There are a few scenarios that we need to trial before we can reveal when the doors will open full-time, so we’re looking forward to seeing how this phase goes and the initial reactions of our passengers in the coming weeks.”
Phase 2 of the project is set to begin shortly. This next stage focuses on redeveloping and refurbishing the existing terminal to further enhance the airport’s infrastructure. It will bring changes to usual passenger flows, especially for those departing from the airport once the new terminal opens.
Visible changes for customers will include hoardings and scaffolding at the terminal front, a new location for Meet & Greet parking, and adjustments to the bus pick-up and drop-off zones. The airport has launched a dedicated page on its official website to keep passengers informed throughout the development.
Cunliffe added: “The changes we are bringing in as part of phase 2 will impact the usual passenger flows, and for that we apologise in advance and ask for your patience. It’s essential for us to continue to transform at pace ahead of completion next year. We’d like to thank passengers in advance for their understanding.”
For ongoing updates, visit www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk.
