A team of Bradford students was among the winners of a challenge to develop their business skills, with the help of Leeds-Bradford Airport and British Airways.

They were among teams from 15 West Yorkshire schools which took part in an airline masterclass.

Teams of ten were challenged to develop their business skills by using a virtual £200 million budget to set up and run their own airline.

The challenge allowed students to decide roles and responsibilities, select destinations, create a flight plan, develop the brand, put together a budget, sell their seats to travel agents and finally present their business plan to the panel of judges.

British Airways and LBA staff shared their knowledge with the participants. Among the advisers was Sally Beardsworth of British Airways, a former pupil at Horsforth School, which hosted the workshop, along with Beverley Walker, from the airport.

The prize for best marketing strategy was won by a team from Bradford Academy for its ‘Failte Airlines’ entry. The students won a behind-the-scenes tour of the airport.

Horsforth School scooped the best overall airline prize for ‘Aeris International’ airline. They will fly to London with British Airways, which operates up to three return daily flights from Leeds-Bradford to Heathrow, where they will look around the airline’s flagship Heathrow home, Terminal 5 .

Max Green, from Horsforth School, was awarded the outstanding individual boy prize, while the school’s ‘Pioneer Airlines’ company won the best teamwork prize.

The judging panel comprised Simon Lea, British Airways’ airport manager at the airport, Tony Hallwood, airport aviation development and marketing director, and David Burrow, from Yorkshire Building Society.

Tony Hallwood said: “It is a pleasure for Leeds-Bradford Airport to be involved in the development of students in our community and we have been astounded by the calibre of talent taking part. They have shown great creativity and entrepreneurial skills.”

Ellen Wood, Young Enterprise manager for West Yorkshire, added: “We hope to see many more schools getting involved with this excellent Industry Masterclass in the future.”