Investment by Ryanair worht $140min Leeds Bradford International Airport will be a big shot in the arm for the regional economy, local business and political leaders have said.

Andrew Carter, joint leader of Leeds city council, said the decision by Ryanair, which is to set up its 11th UK base at the airport, to handle two aircraft when it was cutting back at others because of the recession showed “a huge amount of confidence in our city region”.

Ryanair said it would create 100 direct jobs and sustain up to 1,000 others in the area as it served 14 new routes.

Financial Times