A councillor has called for a pledge of support for Leeds Bradford Airport to end doubt about its future.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Ryk Downes, who represents Otley and Yeadon, called for a vote of confidence from Leeds City Council after previous comments, which he says have thrown the future of the airport into jeopardy.

Coun Downes used a full meeting of Leeds City Council to call on all members to end doubt about the future of LBA and to pledge to support the airport in its current position.

He believes the future of the LBA had been put at risk by comments from council leader Keith Wakefield and the suggestion that the airport might be better situated to the south of the city.

Coun Downes said the airport was expanding and is looking to employ up to 3,500 employees by 2016, making it a major employer in the region.

He stressed: “I wanted to reassure the airport and any potential investors by calling upon the council to formally vouch that they were committed to supporting the airport and investing in it.

“I believe that Coun Wakefield did not realise the consequences that his throwaway comments would have and they sowed doubt in the minds of both potential investors as well as locals that rely on the airport for their jobs.

“I am so pleased that my proposal was overwhelmingly voted for in the council meeting and the owners can now go back to their fantastic work expanding the airport while we get to work producing the transport links the airport deserves”

The vast majority of councillors voted in favour of his proposal “that this council recognises the long-term benefits Leeds Bradford International Airport brings to the local and regional economy and fully supports the city region’s proposed infrastructure improvements to improve both its accessibility and connectivity.”