Airport expansion 'is what city needs'

Jet2.com chief executive Philip Meeson said the airline was pleased the Government had indicated it would support plans for major expansion at Leeds-Bradford, which could see passenger numbers rise more than threefold by 2030.

And he said a 300-metre runway extension, which is being considered by airport chiefs, could enable the successful low cost carrier to open a host of new longer-haul routes.

Mr Meeson said the White Paper on the future of air transport endorsed many of the key points contained in Jet2.com's submission to the Government.

He said: "I think that it reflected both what the local community needs and what both the airport and Jet2.com recommended.

"We have a lot of confidence in Leeds-Bradford - it is a good airport with good facilities.

"An extended runway would allow us to fly longer ranges because, at the moment, our aircraft cannot fly to places such as Tenerife because it is not long enough."

"It is good that the Government agrees that the airport is in the right place."

Jet2.com was today officially launching its new service from Leeds-Bradford to Geneva and, from next year, will fly to Venice.

Mr Meeson said the airport helped the region's economy, with around half of passengers on its Amsterdam

service now Dutch business people coming to Yorkshire. His views were echoed by Bradford Chamber of Commerce president Roland Clark, who said the Government's support for Leeds-Bradford was "good news".

He said: "It helps to paint a picture of a region that means business and I am particularly pleased that the Government has approved the plans."

However, Mr Clark stressed the need to improve road transport links to the airport because of its location.

"I think this is very important and cannot be overlooked," he said. "But the airport can make a difference to people's perceptions of the area and can only help encourage people to come here."