Leeds Bradford airport passenger data shows the number of people using the airport per year has halved since COVID 19.
2019 saw 318,364 passengers use the airport terminal, 2022 was half that at 149,309. Passenger data indicates the airport is being used significantly less in 2023 than 2019 despite it being three years since the height of the COVID pandemic.
Lower numbers of people using the airport is confusing even for those in the travel industry. Leeds travel agent Joe Biggs said:
“Would [lower passenger numbers] not be due to COVID? I would suspect in 2021, 2022 and certainly this year it would’ve recovered.”
There is no official statement or press release by Leeds Bradford airport as to why the passenger numbers have decreased since the pandemic.
The Leeds Bradford airport press team declined to respond when asked about the situation.
Using government data, some months (from July 2020 to September 2023) have pre-COVID levels of passenger traffic (August 2022), but the overall sum for each year is much lower than before 2020.
Environmentally, less flights and passengers means reduced fuel consumption and carbon emissions in Leeds yearly, contributing to better air quality and less noise pollution in the area.
The airport has withdrawn plans to build a replacement terminal due to delays and funding, instead they are planning to extend the existing terminal. In a press release, the CEO of Leeds Bradford airport Vincent Hodder said:
“It is with regret that we have made the decision to
withdraw LBA’s application for the development of a new replacement terminal.”
“…We remain committed to investing in LBA to be an outstanding, decarbonised, modern airport for the future.”
Withdrawal of the terminal plans ensures carbon emission levels do not increase at the airport from current levels. However, there are no official public plans to decarbonise the airport as of yet.
