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Schedule flights from Leeds Bradford Airport to London Heathrow to return
Leeds Bradford Airport chief executive John Parkin speaking about the airport's expansion plans last year.
Following its recent takeover of the BMI aircraft and landing slots, British Airways is planning to restore direct scheduled flights between London Heathrow and Leeds Bradford later this year.
Willie Walsh, chief executive of BA’s parent company IAG made the following statement to the Stock Exchange this morning (Friday, May 11): “In late April, we completed our purchase of BMI.
“Airports across the UK and beyond have contacted us about starting services and, subject to reaching satisfactory agreement with them, we plan to also launch flights from Heathrow to Leeds-Bradford, Rotterdam and Zagreb and increase frequencies to existing key destinations.”
The chief executive of Leeds Bradford Airport John Parkin said negotiations with BA are still needed before schedules can be announced.
Harrogate Chamber of Trade & Commerce Brian Dunsby said he was very enthusiastic at the prospect of a direct connection from Yorkshire into the many long-haul services that operate out of Heathrow.
He said: “Harrogate Chamber of Trade & Commerce has been lobbying for a restoration of the scheduled service between Leeds Bradford Airport and Heathrow ever since BMI withdrew the service in 2009.
“Many local businesses need the international connectivity with long-haul flights from Heathrow for their outbound sales missions and also to attract inward investors. Likewise, overseas delegates to international conferences and trade exhibitions in the Harrogate International Centre will find the flights invaluable.
“Leisure travellers will also benefit from a Heathrow link to save the long journey over the Pennines to Manchester or the almost four hour journey from Harrogate to Heathrow by rail.
“Whilst the East Coast trains from Leeds and York to Kings Cross are ideal for visits to central London, the onward connection to Heathrow can take more than an hour, which means that the new flights will be much more convenient – given an adequate flight schedule.
“We therefore welcome the announcement by BA and congratulate John Parkin and Tony Hallwood for their efforts in convincing BA of the benefits of restoring a LBIA-LHR link.”
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Weather for Wetherby
Friday 24 May 2013
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 5 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 31 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
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Temperature: 6 C to 17 C
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