New Civil Engineer - Catherine Kennedy
Other UK airports planning expansions are likely to take a confidence hit following Leeds Bradford Airport's decision to pull its £150M expansion proposal, according to aviation experts.
Yesterday the airport’s chief executive Vincent Hodder announced that the airport is scrapping its plans due to the “excessive delays” and the decision to hold a public inquiry into the development. Instead the airport will focus on extending the existing terminal building, plans for which were approved by Leeds City Council in 2019.
An Aviation Environment Federation spokesperson emphasised the potential impact of the decision.
"Airport expansion proposals elsewhere in the UK are at different stages of the planning and legal process, but these airports will probably be feeling less confident about whether pursuing expansion is a wise investment," the spokesperson said.
"There are mounting uncertainties for airports both about when passenger demand will return and about the conclusions that decision-makers will reach about the measures necessary to deliver net zero aviation.