Leeds-Bradford Airport (LBA), located in the county of Yorkshire in Northen England, has released new images and a video that showcase the £100 million (£1.27 million) terminal expansion that will open in time for the northern summer 2025 peak travel season. According to the airport, the expansion of its existing terminal (known as Phase One of the LBA:REGEN project) has been “designed to elevate passenger experience while reinforcing the airport’s commitment to sustainability and regional economic growth.”
The new video and related images have been designed to virtually recreate what passengers can expect when they visit the airport’s new terminal later in 2025, providing a more expansive look at the new space, which will include an all-new departure lounge, baggage reclaim area, and external façade.
The new departure lounge, which the airport says has been “meticulously designed for optimal passenger comfort”, will feature enhanced seating areas and an improved retail and dining offering. Meanwhile, the terminal’s new exterior contemporary design “showcases LBA’s vision for a state of the art, efficient, and environmentally friendly airport.” The visuals also show an upgraded passport control area, which incorporates new cutting-edge security technology, which “ensures a smoother and more secure journey for all passengers,” added the airport.
The first phase of the airport’s regeneration project is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2025. Following the opening of this stage, the attention will shift to Phase Two of the LBA:REGEN project, which focuses on redeveloping the existing terminal to further enhance the airport’s overall infrastructure.
According to an airport statement, the development “underscores LBA’s ambition to strengthen its position as a key gateway to Yorkshire and beyond, ensuring it meets growing passenger demand while upholding its commitment to delivering first-class travel experiences. Once complete, the new terminal extension will complement the existing facilities, providing a seamless gateway to over 80 destinations worldwide.”
“We’re excited to share the new video and visuals that offer passengers a preview of what’s to come at the airport,” said John Cunliffe, Commercial Director at Leeds-Bradford Airport. “Our transformative terminal expansion is not only about creating a modern, comfortable airport experience for travellers but also about building a sustainable future for travel in the region. With construction progressing on schedule, we look forward to welcoming passengers to our upgraded facilities this summer.”
Phase Two is coming
While rolling out the visuals for Phase One of LBA:REGEN, the airport has also announced that it has awarded the contract for Phase Two of construction works on its £100m regeneration project to Farrans Construction, the lead contractor that has been responsible for delivering Phase One. Phase Two, which includes the refurbishment of the existing terminal, is expected to be completed in Winter 2026.
Under the new contract, Farrans Construction will lead the construction of the 9,500m2, three-storey terminal extension. The newly refurbished terminal will provide more seating, faster security, new shops and eateries, as well a larger baggage reclaim area and immigration hall, and improved access for passengers with restricted mobility. Works will be delivered in multiple sub-phases to minimise disruption.
“In 2025, the airport is expected to contribute a total of £460 million to the local economy, directly employing 2,100 people and indirectly supporting 4,500 jobs,” said the airport statement. By 2030, the regeneration of the airport has the potential to create 1,500 new direct jobs at LBA and 4,000 new indirect jobs, as well as contribute a total of £940 million to the local economy,” it added.
