LEEDS Bradford Airport and the surrounding area are benefitting from a major boost with half-a-million pounds worth of advertising at Heathrow Airport.

The city region and Yeadon-based LBA will be promoted with the promotion campaign inside the London airport, which is being provided free of charge during the next six weeks.

The boost for the local economy is the result of a partnership between Leeds City Region and Heathrow Airport promoting Leeds as a business destination. The adverts highlight the city's status as the UK’s largest financial centre outside London, with its £7 billion manufacturing sector the country’s biggest.

The campaign has been welcomed by Councillor Sandy Lay (Lib Dem), who represents Otley and Yeadon, which is the ward in which Leeds Bradford International Airport is located.

He said: "The partnership between LBA and Heathrow is excellent news and will help Leeds show off what we’ve got to offer businesses looking to invest beyond the capital.

"There are already three flights between Leeds and London every day, so the more we can do to promote business between the destinations the better it will be for the airport and for the wider Leeds City Region economy."

LBA's aviation development director, Tony Hallwood, added: "LBA is proud to be working alongside London Heathrow Airport to promote Leeds, encouraging more business and leisure visitors to our fantastic city region.

"Reminding passengers they can fly to LBA with British Airways up to three times daily is a key message we believe will encourage more businesses in SW London, Surrey and the Thames Valley to utilise this important domestic service.

"From an international business perspective, to have Leeds' profile highlighted across the UK's gateway airport will assist in creating increased awareness of our strong business and investment opportunities."

Plans to help Leeds Bradford Airport realise its full potential were backed by Leeds City Council in July.

Executive board members supported the release of 36.2 hectares of land in and around the Yeadon airport in a bid to boost business and job creation.

LBA handles 3.3 million passengers a year and is one of the UK's fastest growing airports. It's future plans include a larger passenger terminal and the creation of a commercial hub made up of an 'air innovation park', airport village and an air freight park for improved cargo handling.