Leeds Bradford Airport Rail Station Plans Revived in £65m Transport Proposal

Plans for a new £65 million railway station serving Leeds Bradford Airport are back under consideration, potentially giving millions of passengers an alternative to travelling by car. However, almost a decade after the scheme was first proposed, travellers could still face several more years of waiting.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority will discuss the project on Thursday 29 October, with councillors being asked to support further development of the proposed station. The plans come as Leeds Bradford Airport prepares for significant expansion, with passenger numbers expected to reach seven million annually in the early 2030s.

Where would the new airport station be built?

The proposed Leeds Bradford Airport Parkway station would sit on the existing Leeds–Harrogate–York railway line, between Horsforth station and Bramhope Tunnel.

Unlike Manchester Airport, which has a railway station within its airport complex, Leeds Bradford passengers would need to transfer onto a shuttle bus for the final part of their journey to the terminal.

The scheme would also include a car park and a new access road connecting to Scotland Lane, allowing local residents and commuters to use the station for journeys towards Leeds, Harrogate and York.

For holidaymakers, the biggest potential benefit would be an alternative to driving, airport parking or arranging lifts. However, the convenience of the proposed connection would depend heavily on train frequencies, shuttle services and how well the two timetables work together.

Why Leeds Bradford Airport needs better transport links

Leeds Bradford Airport handled approximately 4.4 million passengers in 2025 and contributed an estimated £460 million to the regional economy, supporting around 6,600 jobs.

The airport is planning £200 million of private investment to expand its terminal and aircraft parking capacity, with ambitions to accommodate seven million passengers annually in the early 2030s.

Yet transport connections remain a significant challenge. Around 88% of airport passengers currently travel by car, including taxis, private drop-offs and airport parking, placing considerable pressure on surrounding roads.

Only an estimated 6–10% of passengers use the existing Flyer bus network, which connects the airport with Leeds, Bradford and surrounding areas.

By comparison, approximately 20% of Manchester Airport passengers use public transport, including around 16% who travel by rail.

The proposed parkway station could help address that difference, although requiring passengers to transfer between trains and buses would present its own challenges, particularly for those travelling with luggage or catching early morning flights.

Airport boss frustrated by years of delays

The latest developments have also prompted criticism from Leeds Bradford Airport chief executive Vincent Hodder, who has questioned why the project has taken so long to progress.

Proposals for the station date back to 2016, with earlier expectations that it could be operational by 2021. However, the latest discussions indicate that completing the business case alone could take another two to three years.

The airport has also raised concerns about its involvement in preparing the latest report. West Yorkshire Combined Authority maintains that airport representatives were engaged and says it remains committed to delivering the project.

Another challenge involves fitting additional stops into the existing railway timetable, with difficulties identified in accommodating even two trains per hour at the proposed station.

When could the new station open?

Despite renewed discussions, there is currently no confirmed construction timetable or opening date for Leeds Bradford Airport Parkway.

The Combined Authority is being asked to continue developing the project, including completing a full business case, undertaking ground investigations, examining railway timetable requirements and identifying a funding strategy.

The estimated £65 million cost is considerably lower than previous proposals for a railway line running directly to the airport, which were estimated at between £350 million and £400 million in 2016.

The new station could also support wider development proposals, including the Northwest Leeds Employment Hub and potential new housing around East of Otley.

For passengers, the next important milestone will be whether transport leaders can establish a deliverable and funded scheme, rather than simply agreeing to continue planning.

With airport passenger numbers expected to rise substantially over the coming years, improving access is becoming increasingly important. A parkway station could eventually offer another way to reach Yorkshire’s largest airport, but its success will depend on providing a reliable and convenient connection all the way to the terminal.