By Harry Ward
Leeds Bradford Airport has welcomed a council decision confirming it complied with planning conditions relating to night flights over the past three years.
The ruling followed an application by the airport for a Certificate of Lawfulness of Existing Use or Development (CLEUD), linked to restrictions on overnight aircraft movements.
The airport said the decision by Leeds City Council confirmed it had not breached movement limits during 2023, 2024 or 2025.
However the council did not agree to a request by LBA to confirm that unlimited night-time flights by the same type of aircraft were lawful.
And airport campaign group Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA) have today labelled it a ‘mixed decision’ and welcomed confirmation the airport cannot fly an unlimited number of planes at night.
A spokesperson for Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) said: “We are pleased with the decision by Leeds City Council, which confirms our long-held position that LBA has operated responsibly and in full compliance with night flight regulations over the last three years.”
They added the decision provided “much-needed certainty” for passengers, airlines and local residents.
The operation of night flights has been the subject of a long-running dispute between the airport and campaigners living under flight paths.
Campaign group GALBA previously claimed the airport exceeded permitted limits on flights operating between 11pm and 7am and raised concerns about noise affecting nearby communities.
The airport has repeatedly denied breaching planning conditions and argued there had been differing interpretations of historic restrictions dating back decades.
Leeds City Council has dealt with several legal and planning applications connected to the issue in recent years, including earlier CLEUD applications and appeals.
The latest decision is expected to provide greater clarity over how the conditions should be interpreted in future.
LBA said the outcome validated its internal monitoring systems and demonstrated its commitment to operating within agreed limits.
The spokesperson said: “LBA remains committed to being a responsible neighbour while continuing to serve as a vital economic gateway for the region.”
The airport said it would continue working with airlines to introduce quieter and more fuel-efficient aircraft as part of its “Together for Tomorrow” strategy.
GALBA reaction
In a statement, GALBA said they were pleased that Leeds City Council had ruled that Leeds Bradford Airport cannot fly an unlimited number of planes at night.
However, the campaigners also say they strongly disagree with the Council’s view that LBA is allowed to fly an additional 941 planes per year at night. GALBA has sent a legal letter to the council today, asking them to reconsider this part of the decision, and is exploring options to challenge the Council’s decision in the courts.
Nick Hodgkinson, Chair of GALBA, said: “Obviously, it’s disappointing that the council has allowed the CLEUD but it’s a mixed decision. The good news is that they did not allow unlimited night time flying at LBA. That’s what the airport wanted and they failed.
“However, the Council has allowed the airport to fly an additional 941 planes at night every year. We believe that part of the decision is legally incorrect and our lawyers have written to the Council today, asking them to put it right.
“In practice, LBA will try to fly all of those additional planes during the summer months, causing a big increase in noise and pollution. That would be bad news for local people, the air we breathe and the climate we all depend on.”
Leeds Bradford Airport is Yorkshire’s largest airport and handles millions of passengers each year, with many services operated by leisure airlines, including Jet2.
Debate over expansion, environmental concerns and night-time flying has intensified in recent years alongside plans to modernise airport facilities and increase passenger capacity.
Additional reporting: John Baron
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