A ONE MILLION POUND package of improvements have begun at Leeds Bradford Airport.

Officials at LBA say significant investment is being made to the terminal building, with work taking place over the winter months.

The improvements will costs around £1 million and are expected to be finished in time for next summer's peak season.

The changes will include a glass terminal frontage to create more light and space in the landside walkway and check-in area; changes to the departure and arrival gates; improved toilet facilities and new flooring throughout the landside and airside areas.

Tony Hallwood, Aviation Development Director at the airport, said: "We have just recorded our busiest year yet, with 3.5m passengers travelling through LBA in 12 months. With passenger growth expected next year, we are now further investing in our facilities across the terminal building to enhance the journey through the airport.

"Passengers travelling through LBA while work is underway this winter will not experience disruption to their journey and we expect much of this phase of work to be complete by summer 2017. This is an exciting time in the development of Leeds Bradford Airport, as we continually strive to deliver a much improved customer experience alongside an increased choice of destinations for business and leisure passengers.”

Later this year the airport will publish its final Masterplan document: Route to 2030, which outlines its plans for the future.

The airport’s strategy, which was released in draft form in March, sets out ways in which it will grow and develop over the next 15 years – with an anticipated 7.1 million passengers by 2030.

The plan could see the development of a commercial hub and hotel close to the terminal, as well as rail connections with Leeds, Bradford, Harrogate and York, including a Parkway station.

Airport bosses are planning expansion of the terminal building and extra investment in infrastructure.

The draft document also outlines upgraded road access as well as improvements to public transport and car parking. LBA said it had received more than 100 responses to its consultation.

Leeds Bradford Airport currently offers direct flights to 75 destinations and hundreds more worldwide through four hub airports- Heathrow, Amsterdam, Dublin and Barcelona.