Ground has been broken on a £100 million terminal regeneration project at Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) which aims to provide an overhaul to its retail and food and beverage facilities.

Contractor Farrans Construction, which is working on the privately funded development, said that the LBA:REGEN programme will deliver a 9,500 square metre, three-storey extension to the existing terminal, alongside a significant refurbishment of the current facilities.

Along with new shops and eateries, the project will deliver additional aircraft stands, more seating, faster security, larger baggage reclaim area and immigration hall, and improved access for passengers with restricted mobility.

Work is underway on the terminal extension, with Farrans Construction delivering Phase 1 of the project. This phase includes the construction of a new UK Border Force immigration facility and international baggage reclaim hall, as well as expanded retail and international departure lounge facilities. Phase 2 will include an enlarged central search and check-in areas, alongside larger duty free, retail and arrivals areas.

Completion of construction work is expected to be completed in 2026.

The airport’s expansion aims to create 1,500 new direct jobs at LBA, alongside 4,000 new indirect jobs while contributing £940 million to the local economy.

Vincent Hodder, chief executive of Leeds Bradford Airport, said: “This ground breaking is a significant moment in LBA’s history, representing the culmination of thousands of hours of planning, consultation and design. As one of Yorkshire’s most significant infrastructure projects, we and our passengers are immensely excited to see it develop in the coming months. Once complete, this project will deliver the airport that our passengers, airlines and region need and deserve.”

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