Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) is expecting the Tour de France, the world’s leading cycle race event, to increase its passenger numbers in 2014, 104.7 Minster FM has reported.
The final route for the race, which begins on July 5, has been announced, confirming that more than half of the first two stages will pass through North Yorkshire. The Tour will begin in Leeds and involves 200 of the world’s best cyclists. It is expected that more than 680,000 spectators will line the route of the first stage alone.
Yorkshire’s airport saw a record 3.3 million passengers pass through in 2013, an increase of 11 percent on the previous year. The airport has expanded its services over the past year to serve over 70 domestic and international destinations, while also introducing major new airlines including British Airways, Monarch and Thomson Airways.
The airport said that 2014 will build upon a successful year, following the recent announcement of a new service to Copenhagen from March.
Tony Hallwood aviation development and marketing director, said: ‘2013 has been a truly remarkable year for Leeds Bradford Airport as we expanded our services, offering more domestic and international destinations than ever before.
‘Our achievements were also recognised by the Airport Operators Association, who in November awarded Leeds Bradford the title of Best Airport under 6 million passengers.
‘As Yorkshire’s international gateway we have a clear ambition to deliver a wider range of airlines and routes for our local business and leisure passengers alongside encouraging an increase in the number of inbound visitors who can fly directly into Leeds Bradford.
‘LBA look forward to welcoming new Yorkshire travellers to the airport in 2014.’
