Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Leeds Live
Leeds Live
National
Lucy Marshall

Leeds Bradford Airport departures today: Significant changes spotted after 'chaotic' scenes as passengers zip through security 'in 8 minutes'

Passengers getting on flights from Leeds Bradford Airport today report a significant change from the "chaos" which has prevailed since April.

One passenger getting on an early morning flight from the airport said they got through security in eight minutes, while another added staff were "very helpful". For weeks, "shambles" and snaking long queues have been seen trailing through the airport, leaving passengers waiting outside, predominantly for morning flights departing between 6am-9am.

The ongoing issues brought on by staff shortages saw a sea of people, push chairs, and luggage over taking the pavement outside of LBA. On Friday flights departing between 6.05am and 8.35am were pushed back.

Read more: Disabled woman feared she would not be able to go on plane after Jet2 and Leeds Bradford Airport 'left her hanging'

On top of the delayed flights, passengers also faced long 'biblical' queues from early hours. Around 3.30pm on Friday afternoon more "chaos" was reported by holiday goers.

Last month LBA chief executive Vincent Hodder asked people to come to Leeds Bradford "no earlier than three hours" before their scheduled departure time. Mr Hodder has said that people arriving early for their flights is leading to a "blow-out of queues".

The scene at Leeds Bradford Airport at 4am on Jubilee Friday (Owen West)

Despite this, individuals previously shared with LeedsLive they worry that if they don't arrive early they could miss their flight due to the ongoing "shambles" and "chaos" at the airport.

But this Jubilee Saturday, expected to be a busy time for people travelling, passengers report they had quite a different experience. A number of individuals took to Twitter to share their thoughts while waiting for their flights.

@JDyson984 said: "Credit, where credit is due. Arrived @LBIAirport expecting absolute carnage. @Ryanair staff very helpful, sailed through security and hardly any queues. Not bad at all. #LeedsBradfordAirport."

West Yorkshire's Leeds Bradford Airport sees a significant change following 'chaos', reports passengers (Submitted)

While @MartheHR added: "It took me a grand total of 8min to get through security at 6:30am #LeedsBradfordAirport." And @AmyMilner14 said: "Flying from #leedsbradfordairport today. Arrived 4:50 was through bag drop and fast track security by 5.15 - no queues outside now. Jet2 bringing people forward."

@Tumbit said: "28 minutes from parking the car to first pint in Wetherspoons : this is how we roll in Yorkshire @LBIAirport. Yes there are queues but moving fast."

And @deftonepea added that he had a longer wait, and said: "2hr26mims to get checked in and through security. Two stints standing outside #leedsbradfordairport#lba."

Despite the queues speeding up, as passengers report, holiday goers should bare in mind that cancellations and delays may still occur. A number of flights this Saturday have been late departing.

Here are the flight times and departures this morning at Leeds Bradford Airport as of 8.30am:

  • 6.20am to Amsterdam, KL540, KLM. Estimated boarding 8.45am
  • 6.45am to London Heathrow, BE751, FlyBe. Airborne 7.59am
  • 7am to Mahon, LS375, Jet2.com. Airborne 7.35am
  • 7am to Malaga, LS185, Jet2.com. Airborne 7.30am
  • 7.15am to Ibiza, LS197, Jet2.com. Airborne 7.53am
  • 8am to Gerona Costa Brava, FR2325, Ryanair. Airbourne 8.16am
  • 8.15am to Faro, LS251, Jet2.com. Gate closed
  • 8.25am to Belfast City, E1361, Aer Lingus. Boarding at 8.31am

How have you found Leeds Bradford Airport recently? Let our reporter Lucy Marshall know by sending an email to lucy.marshall@reachplc.com.

READ NEXT:

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.