LBA History -- An Insight Into Leeds Bradford Airport
Leeds Bradford Airport isn’t just a place you pass through on the way to somewhere else.
For many of us, it’s a place we grew up with — a place of first holidays, first flights, first dreams of travel, and for some, the very beginning of a lifelong love of aviation.
Perched on high ground at Yeadon, between Leeds and Bradford, Leeds Bradford Airport (EGNM / LBA) may be compact, but it has a big personality — and more than a little Yorkshire charm.
Whether you’re flying off on holiday, arriving to explore Yorkshire, or simply here to watch the aircraft come and go, this guide will help you get to know the airport a little better.
A Little History — Because Places Like This Have Stories
Leeds Bradford Airport began life in the early 1930s as Yeadon Aerodrome, long before mass air travel and wheeled suitcases became the norm. In those early years, flying was something special — something you dressed up for. Your best suit, your smartest dress, and dining in style, high above the clouds.
Just across the road from where Multiflight now operates once stood AE Turbines, a vast factory where Rolls-Royce aircraft engines were built during the Second World War. Engines that powered the mighty Lancaster bombers were assembled here by local men and women working around the clock. You can almost imagine the sound — the deep, thunderous rumble of engines being tested, echoing across the fields of West Yorkshire and into the dales.
After the war, the airport slowly grew. By the 1960s and 70s it had become a gateway to the sun, with holiday flights departing for Spain and beyond. Aircraft such as the Vickers Viscount of British Midland would roll in, propellers ticking quietly as steps were wheeled into place.
For many families, Britannia Airways meant the start of adventure. Every arrival was announced over the terminal tannoy in a calm, friendly voice. Every flight. Every time.
It felt personal. It felt human.
And then there were the visitors that stopped everyone in their tracks.
Yes — Concorde Came Here.
So did the British Airways Boeing 747, Spirit of Yorkshire, and the beautifully liveried Wardair Canada 747, which even operated flights to Toronto. A British Airtours L-1011 TriStar also visited, its overrun prompting a full emergency response and becoming part of the airport’s folklore.
For a regional Yorkshire airport, these moments were unforgettable — days when the world quite literally came to Yeadon.
The runway was extended in the 1980s, complete with the now-familiar road tunnel beneath it, allowing longer routes and larger aircraft to operate safely. Since then, the terminal has been modernised in stages, growing alongside the airport’s popularity. Many of those iconic aircraft are now retired, but their visits left a mark that hasn’t faded.
For some of us, this was where the magic truly began — watching through the glass in all weathers, collecting airline memorabilia, ticking registrations off in a spotters book, and dreaming of the day we’d be on the other side of the fence. Leeds Bradford has also been the starting point for flying lessons, with generations learning to take off and land here before going on to long careers in aviation.
Leeds Bradford Today
Today, Leeds Bradford Airport is a busy regional airport serving Yorkshire with routes across the UK and Europe, plus onward connections to the rest of the world.
It’s typically Yorkshire — efficient, friendly, and proudly no-nonsense. Everything is contained within a single terminal, it’s easy to navigate, and it still feels very much like your local airport.
Quick Facts
ICAO / IATA: EGNM / LBA
Runway: 14 / 32
(former secondary runway 09 / 27 closed in 2005)Terminal: Single terminal with check-in, shops, cafés and on-site parking
Airlines & Destinations
Leeds Bradford is primarily a leisure and regional business airport, with routes changing seasonally.
You’ll typically find:
Leisure and holiday flights across Europe and the Mediterranean
(Jet2, TUI, Ryanair)European city and hub connections, including frequent services to Amsterdam with KLM, opening up long-haul travel worldwide
Wizz Air will take you to Warsaw, Krakow, Gdansk, Katowice, Romania, Bucharest and Cluj-Napoca
UK and regional services, particularly busy at peak times – Aer Lingus to Dublin and Belfast.
For the most up-to-date list of airlines and destinations, the airport’s official website is always the best place to check.
Popular Destinations from Leeds Bradford Airport
Leeds Bradford Airport serves a wide range of destinations, with routes shaped by Yorkshire’s love of both sunshine and great city breaks. While some destinations operate year-round, many change with the seasons — keeping the route map fresh and varied and coping with customer demand.
Year-Round Favourites:
These destinations tend to operate throughout the year and remain consistently popular:
Spain — Málaga, Alicante, Palma and the Canary Islands (Between 2 and 4 hours away)
Portugal — Faro (2-2.5 hours away)
Ireland — Dublin and Belfast (40-50 minutes flight time)
European hubs — Amsterdam and Paris, offering onward connections worldwide – AMS is around 50 mins, Paris circa an hour away)
Poland & Bulgaria (2-4 hours max flight time)
Summer Highlights:
During the summer season, the network expands significantly to include:
Greece — Crete, Rhodes, Corfu and other islands (circa 3 hours plus flight time)
Turkey — Antalya and surrounding resort regions (circa 4 hours flight time)
Italy — popular city and leisure destinations (2 hours flight time or so)
Additional Mediterranean routes across Spain and the Balearics
Winter flying focuses more on year-round sun, city breaks and connecting hubs, with the Canary Islands remaining particularly busy.
Aircraft You’re Likely to See
Most days you’ll see a familiar short-haul fleet:
Boeing 737 and 737 MAX
Airbus A319 / A320 / A321
ATR turboprops on regional routes
Larger aircraft have certainly visited over the years — from classic charter 757s to memorable wide-body jets — though today efficiency rules the skies.
One of Leeds Bradford’s real diamonds is Multiflight. Its impressive hangars and private terminal attract a constant stream of:
Business jets, including the Cessna Citation and Global series
Turboprops and light aircraft such as the SR22, Diamond DA42 and Pilatus
Training aircraft, helicopters and the air ambulance, providing vital medical services across Yorkshire and beyond
The RAF also makes regular use of the airport, with aircraft including the A400M, Hawks and fast jets carrying out training approaches and ILS practice.
Listening In — Air Traffic Frequencies
For those who enjoy listening to air traffic control, commonly used frequencies include:
Tower: 120.305 MHz
ATIS: 118.025 MHz
Ground: 121.805 MHz
Approach: 123.38 / 134.58 MHz
ILS: 110.9 MHz
(Frequencies can change — always check official sources before relying on them.)
Where to Plane-Spot
Leeds Bradford offers a welcoming environment for aviation enthusiasts.
Multiflight Café (Southside Aviation Centre)
A firm favourite with locals and visitors alike. Homemade food, good coffee, outdoor seating and excellent runway views — all right beside the action.
Yeadon Tarn / Cemetery Road
A popular spot near the runway end and close to the lake, ideal for watching departures and arrivals. Please park considerately and remember the cemetery is a place of respect.
Around the Perimeter
Several quiet roadside spots are used by local enthusiasts. Always obey signage, avoid blocking access gates and be mindful of residents.
Spotting Tips
Runway direction depends on the wind and it is never straight down the one you want. Crosswinds are not optional – they are mandatory.
Weekends and school holidays are busiest
Tools such as Flightradar24 provide excellent real-time information
Practical Tips for Passengers
Getting there: Road access via the A658, with regular bus and taxi services
(nearest rail stations: Horsforth and Guiseley, with onward connections)Parking: Short, medium and long-stay parking on site, plus off-site options with shuttle services
Facilities: Shops, cafés, security and baggage reclaim — all easy to find
Before you travel: Check current liquid rules and ensure appropriate travel insurance is in place
A Final Word
Leeds Bradford Airport has grown, changed and modernised — but it has never lost its character.
It’s a place of departures and returns.
Of first flights and last goodbyes.
Of holidays in the sun and journeys that begin something bigger.
Situated in the heart of Yorkshire, it’s an airport where memories are made with every take-off — and where, no matter how far you travel, coming home always feels just right.
And after all, if Yorkshire is so good…
why wouldn’t you?
Bon voyage and see you soon.