News: Region's airports outline expansion plans

Yorkshire's key airports have outlined expansion plans to boost their passenger and freight businesses. Doncaster Sheffield Airport has launched consultation on the Draft Master Plan at the same time as Leeds Bradford International Airport announced £70m expansion plans. At Doncaster Sheffield Airport, forecasts prepared independently show that by 2016 the number of passengers could reach up to 6.6m per year and continue to grow to up to 10.8m by 2030. At the same time, the amount of cargo handled is forecast to grow to 60,000 tonnes and to increase to 120,000 tonnes respectively. Key elements of the plan include terminal expansion and airfield development, new cargo facilities and completion of the FARRRS link road. The plan also aims to capitalise on the prospects to create jobs at the Airport and in the wider South Yorkshire economy and includes proposals for further expansion of the Airport Business Park. The owners of Leeds Bradford International Airport, Bridgepoint, has pledged to invest £70m over the next five years, which could result in almost 3,000 more jobs at the airport.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport website
Leeds Bradford International Airport website
Rotherham