LONG-HAUL flights from Leeds Bradford Airport could soon become a reality.

The airport’s new chief executive says the flights are very much as

“on the radar” as he draws up ambitious plans to strengthen operations.

Dave Laws, who last year stepped down as chief executive at Newcastle Airport, is aiming to replicate the success he enjoyed at the North Tyneside base, which included bolstering European and international services.

The former fireman, who took a pay cut to join Newcastle’s corporate team, has also laid out plans to improve Leeds Bradford’s terminal and take passenger numbers to five million over the next three years.

Mr Laws masterminded Emirates’ Dubai flights from Newcastle and worked with United Airlines to give flyers the opportunity to take advantage of non-stop services to New York.

He said: “I’ve been in this industry 37 years and it’s in my blood; I love it.

“I’m a Newcastle guy and a North-Easterner through and through but when I got this opportunity, the pull was too just much.

“The potential at Leeds Bradford is absolutely immense and my job coming is to review the business and part of that is looking at strategy.

“Long-haul is on the radar and I’m sure people would welcome the opportunity

to fly long-haul from

the airport.

“I’ve got the opportunity to take this place to a new level and I’m excited by that.”

He also said he was confident of taking Leeds Bradford’s passenger numbers up towards the five million mark from their existing 3.9 million.

Mr Laws added:“At this stage I see no reason why Leeds Bradford can’t grow to 4.5 million or even five million passengers in the next three years, though you never know what the market is going to be like.”

In April LBA formally launched its masterplan for the next 13 years, with ambitions to carry 7.1m passengers by 2030.