The future of the only air link between Leeds-Bradford International Airport and London Heathrow looks to be safe after bosses at the airport and airline moved to reaffirm their commitment to the route.

The five-times-a-day service operated by bmi between the airports had been the subject of speculatio after the airline's chairman Sir Michael Bishop called into question the level of airport charges at Yeadon.

Sir Michael also voiced concerns about passenger levels and voiced the grievances in a letter to the airport's chairman, Michael Goodwin.

The airport issued a statement celebrating the airline's 27th year of flying between Leeds and London, saying: "Bmi regional, a wholly-owned subsidiary of bmi, also has a significant presence at Leeds Bradford operating services to Glasgow, Edinburgh, Brussels and the recently launched Copenhagen, offering further choice for the business and leisure traveller."

Sally Ramsey, marketing and business development manager at LBIA, added: "bmi has been a good supporter of the airport since its earliest days, and it is great to see its commitment to offering both business and leisure passengers of the region such a reliable and beneficial service to London and beyond.

"Not only does bmi offer an excellent service to London, but it gives passengers the opportunity to connect from Leeds Bradford through Heathrow to a whole range of worldwide destinations."