A massive expansion of Leeds Bradford Airport could lead to more planes deviating from flight paths, fear critics.

Concerns have been raised over proposals to triple the airport's passenger numbers as part of the Leeds Bradford Masterplan.

But airport bosses have dismissed the claims, saying the pattern of flying should not change at all.

Councillor John Briggs (Lib Dem, Baildon) says increased air traffic might lead to more communities being affected by over-flying aeroplanes.

And Shipley MP Philip Davies fears the problem of pilots deviating from preferred flight paths could become more widespread.

But airport managing director Ed Anderson hit back: "There is no reason to think there will be more aircraft off track.

"There will be more planes, but aircraft numbers are not expected to grow in line with passenger numbers."

He said larger aircraft would be used to cater for a forecast increase in passenger numbers from the current level of 2.6 million per year to about seven million by 2030.

Mr Anderson said the public response to the Masterplan had been 'overwhelmingly positive', with 90 per cent of people in favour of expansion. He said the airport was committed to being a 'good neighbour' and to boosting the area's economy.

Airport records show 96 per cent of jet aircraft departures operated on track in summer 2005, while only 0.2 per cent exceeded 'Target Noise Levels'.

Mr Anderson said: "When they take off towards Burley and Menston, they have quite a narrow corridor which they are supposed to fly down. Occasionally, they are not able to because of factors such as the wind.

"When this was investigated in the past, one airline amended its computers to make sure it was better able to stick within the flight paths."

But Mr Davies said: "Flight paths are already a big issue in Menston, where residents are irritated by noise. If they can't stick to the flight paths now, what will things be like if the airport expands?

"The problem could spread if more planes are going into the airport, and it wouldn't have to spread far from Menston to somewhere like Baildon."

He said transport links to the airport need to be improved as part of any future expansion.

Coun Briggs said: "There are obviously going to be more planes about and there are going to be times when it's busy at Leeds Bradford and planes will be circulating which could mean more planes over Baildon."

The Masterplan includes ideas on how to improve transport access to the airport in the form of a heavy-rail link and improved bus and road access.

Neil Hunt, secretary of Leeds Bradford Airport Community Forum, said: "In the past, there has been a fair amount of deviations from the recognised noise-abatement routes. By deviating from those routes, you spread the noise. It could start affecting more and more people."

Councillor Martin Smith (Con, Ilkley) said: "It's only small numbers of people affected by planes occasionally running off flight paths. In general, the public want more flights from Leeds Bradford, although routes and times will still be restricted because of adjoining properties."