£145m Leeds Bradford deal is done

European private equity firm Bridgepoint Capital has bought Leeds/Bradford Airport for £145.5 million.

The consortium of five west Yorkshire authorities agreed to sell their 100 per cent controlling stake in the airport earlier this year and now Bridgepoint has earmarked a £70 million investment to develop the site.

Leeds/Bradford Airport is one of the north of England's major regional airports, ensuring a great service to flyers through its excellent airport hotels, airport lounges and airport parking facilities.

Among Bridgepoint's plans are infrastructure developments to enhance capacity, increasing the number of destinations and improving the commercial revenues from retail outlets.

Adrian Williams, a director at Bridgepoint, said: "We have a clear vision for the future success of LBIA – a future which will deliver benefits for everyone who uses it. Our aim is that the new LBIA will be one of which the staff and the region will be justifiably proud."

The new chairman for Leeds/Bradford Airport will be Sir Graham Hall, who added that he wanted to build on its recent success and retain its status as the dominant airport for Yorkshire and Humberside.