What Is Happening With The Leeds Bradford Airport Terminal Upgrade?

Anyone flying out of Yorkshire has probably noticed something big is going on at Leeds Bradford Airport. It’s not just a lick of paint, either. A huge £100 million upgrade is transforming the whole place, and a local company is right at the centre of it all, making sure everything runs smoothly, from the ground up to the sky.

The expert engineering consultancy, Dudleys, has just picked up a new job as part of this massive project, adding to the works they’ve been doing there for years. This isn't just about making the terminal look nice; it’s a complete overhaul of the airport’s infrastructure to improve the customer experience from start to finish.

So, what’s this new job all about? Well, it involves an important inspection of some really critical bits of kit. You’ve probably seen them without really noticing – the radar masts. These aren’t just tall poles; they’re basically the eyes of the airport. Standing about 30 feet tall, these masts hold the equipment that helps air traffic control keep track of every plane within a 40-mile radius and up to 10,000 feet.

It’s a pretty advanced system that makes flying safer and helps manage the increasingly busy airspace. The team at Dudleys is making sure this vital infrastructure is in perfect working order as part of the wider airport upgrade. Without these checks, the whole operation could run into problems, so it’s a really key piece of the puzzle.

A long history at the airport

This isn't a new relationship. Actually, Dudleys has been the go-to engineering consultancy for Leeds Bradford Airport for over fifteen years. Think about everything that makes an airport work: the runways where planes land (called airside aprons), the car parks, tunnels, and all the public buildings. Dudleys has had a hand in advising on all of it.

They’ve been involved with the current terminal upgrade plans since 2018, helping to shape the design proposals and get them through all the necessary planning stages. Their long history with the site means they know the place inside out, which is a massive help when you’re dealing with a project this complicated. It’s this kind of deep knowledge that helps big construction jobs, like those done by partners such as Henry Boot Construction, go off without a hitch.

What does phase two mean for travellers?

The first part of the big plan is already done, with a brand-new part of the terminal now open. Now, it’s all about phase two. This is where passengers will really start to see a difference. Phase two involves a major refurbishment and upgrade of the facilities within the existing buildings. The plan is to knock down walls and reconfigure the layout to create a much more modern, open-plan space. The goal? A massively improved customer experience. Here’s a quick look at what’s changing:

• A brand new security hall to get you through to departures quicker.
• An updated arrivals area for a better welcome home.
• Big improvements to the check-in areas.
• More space and better layouts for duty-free shops, restaurants, and cafes.
• Extra stands for aircraft.

Basically, the whole journey through the airport, from check-in to boarding, is being rethought. The works are designed to create a smoother, more enjoyable experience for everyone flying from Leeds Bradford Airport.

The challenge of working in a live airport

Pulling off a massive refurbishment like this is tricky enough. But doing it while thousands of passengers are catching flights every day? That's a whole different level of difficult. It’s a bit like trying to re-do your kitchen while your family is still trying to cook dinner in it. Andy Walker, the Managing Director at Dudleys, explained the challenge perfectly.

“We have been a trusted advisor to the LBA estate for many years and as such our historic knowledge and experience of the site has proved invaluable in helping LBA to deliver its exciting upgrades and maintain existing infrastructure.”

He also touched on the green side of things. Instead of just knocking everything down and starting again, they are repurposing the existing buildings. This is great for sustainability, but it comes with its own headaches. They’re essentially stitching together buildings from different decades, each with its own quirks, to create one seamless, modern terminal. It's a complex job of civil engineering.

“The repurposing of existing buildings supports LBA’s important sustainability agenda, but the works are not without challenges. We are working with the design team to reconfigure a series of buildings of varying decades and build composition to provide a seamless, state of the art terminal with future proof qualities.”

Walker added that a lot of their strategic advice is about integrating the old with the new, adding new staircases, lifts, and walkways to make it all work together. And the top priority? Doing it all without causing chaos for passengers.

“Our strategic advice supports the delivery of new staircases, escalators, lifts and walkways as well as important integration with the new building. A critical part of the programme is the deliver these works in a ‘live’ environment to help minimise disruption to customers.”

More than just airports

While the Leeds Bradford Airport project is a big one, it’s just one of many that Dudleys handles. Based in Leeds for over 16 years, the award-winning consultancy works across all the major real estate sectors in the UK. Their client list is pretty impressive and shows the breadth of their expertise in structural and civil engineering. They've worked with the prominent developer CEG, the iconic Yorkshire brand Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate, and even the mighty Leeds United Football Club. This experience across different types of projects gives them the skills to tackle something as complex as a major airport upgrade, ensuring the new terminal is built to last.