The announcement that Ryanair is to set up a new base at Leeds Bradford International Airport is good news for both Bradford and the rest of the region.

Of course, the fact that this is forecast to create up to 1,000 well-paid posts at the airport is particularly welcome, as are more low-cost flights to more destinations, but the impact goes beyond that.

The multi-million pound project shows the airline is confident that the area and its economy are strong enough to generate the necessary customers to make the venture a success.

Hopefully that confidence will rub off on other investors – both those already committed to the area but biding their time and others looking for the right location for their business – and no doubt they will also approve of stronger international links.

The extra routes do not just mean more people going out, but more visitors coming in who will obviously boost the local economy.

It is important that Bradford and district does all it can to get as much benefit from this as possible.

Saltaire, which is a World Heritage Site, Bradford’s City of Film status, Haworth, the moors and the Media Museum, for example, all have huge pulling power to rival anything in Yorkshire and we must do our very best to let visitors know about them.