The boss of leisure airline Monarch has confirmed it is planning to develop its operations from Leeds-Bradford Airport after celebrating the first anniversary of operations there.

Iain Rawlinson, Monarch Airlines’ executive chairman, said: “We are very pleased to be celebrating our first anniversary of operations from Leeds Bradford. This is an important base for us in Yorkshire and allows us to offer our flights and holiday products to this important constituency.

“We are working on plans to develop and strengthen our operations based on the long-term partnership we have established working with Leeds-Bradford Airport.”

The airport became Monarch’s sixth base in December 2012 and the airline recently announced its summer 2014 flight programme flying to a total of 11 destinations including Lanzarote, Antalya, Barcelona, Bodrum, Faro, Heraklion, Mallorca and Tenerife.

John Parkin, LBA chief executive, added: “I am delighted to celebrate this initial success and we look forward to strengthening our relationship with Monarch Airlines in 2014.”