Leeds Airport History

Leeds Bradford Airport History

Leeds Bradford Airport started life at Yeadon Aerodrome operating in 1931, with club flying and aircraft training flights.
It was based on 60 acres of grassland alongside Bradford Harrogate Road. Flying was mainly done in the Cirrus and Gypsy Moth aircraft and
later Puss and Leopard Moth for training and charters.

By 1935 Leeds Bradford airport had been extended a further 35 acres and scheduled flights flew to Newcastle airport &
Edinburgh airport, with North Eastern airways. Services to Blackpool and the Isle of Man also started with West Coast air Services.
In 1936 609 Squadron, Royal Auxiliary Air Force was formed at the Aerodrome and seasonal holiday services were operated to the Isle of Man and Liverpool by Isle of Man Air Services. Plans were also announced this year for a £40,000 terminal building but only one wing was built
and then demolished in 1977 to make way for new facilities that form the basis of the present terminal.

During World war 2 civilian flying ceased due to the aerodrome being requisitioned by air Minsitry. More than 4,500 aircraft's were built by
Avro Factory adjacent to the airport. Avron built Lancaster, York & Lincoln, and many of these Military aircraft's made their first airborne flight form Yeadon Aerodrome. The new aircraft's could be tested , flying from 2 runways, taxiways and flight test hangers which had been built in the wartime development.

Post war civil flights began in 1947, and in 1953 Yeadon Aviation Ltd was formed to operate the Airport and run the Yeadon Aero Club. BKS Air Transport started scheduled services to Belfast, Jersey, Ostend, Southend, the Isle of Wight & Dusseldorf in 1955 and then the Leeds Bradford Airport Joint Committee took over the Airport in 1959. Work was soon underway to improve the facilities, with the installation of permanent
airfield lighting and extensions to passenger facilities and apron areas.

Package holidays commenced in 1976 with flights to the Iberian Peninsula British Airways, run by Thompson Holidays.
In the years to come the main runway and terminal facilities were extended. Then in 1982 a £23 million construction went ahead , after
a public inquiry was held. The runway was once again extended this time by 2,250 metres, including incorporating a twin tunnel under the
runway and substantial improvements to the terminal facilities.

Completion of the runway extension was marked in 1984 with two pleasure flights organised by The Yorkshire Post, who chartered a British Airways Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet for the day, calling it "The Spirit of Yorkshire". Wardair also marked the day by operating the airport's first transatlantic flight to Toronto.
The first phase of the terminal extension was opened by HRH the Duchess of Kent on 18th July the following year, and rapid growth followed
in both charter and scheduled services. By 1986 half a million passengers passed through the airport and Air France's Concorde visited for the first time.

By 1998 Leeds Bradford airport had its millionth passenger through the airport, this increasing to 1.5 million by the year 2001. Since 1996 Leeds airport terminal has doubled in size with new and improved arrivals and departure facilities, lounges and two new air bridges.
Construction works have recently completed a £5 million scheme to refurbish and extent the catering and restaurant facilities and a new aircraft maintenance facilities also a business and executive aviation centre are to be built on the south side of the airport.

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