Leeds Bradford Airport Unveils State-of-the-Art Central Search Zone, Doubling Security Capacity
Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) has reached a major milestone in its transformational LBA:REGEN programme with the opening of its new Central Search Zone, delivering a faster, smarter and more seamless experience for passengers travelling through Yorkshire's largest airport.
From October, passengers will benefit from three new extra-long security lanes, a significant increase in capacity that will transform how the airport welcomes customers through security. By the end of the year, a further two extra-long lanes will come into operation, ultimately doubling the airport's current security screening capacity.
The new Central Search Zone represents one of the most significant passenger experience enhancements in the airport's recent history and places Leeds Bradford Airport at the forefront of security technology among UK regional airports.
Designed around customer convenience, the new facility features dynamic virtual queue management, enabling LBA’s team to actively manage passenger flow and reduce waiting times during busy periods. The new area also includes six eGates for boarding card scanning, helping passengers move efficiently into the security search area.
Dedicated routes have been introduced for both Passengers Requiring Assistance (PRM) and Fast Track customers, ensuring a smoother and more tailored journey through the airport.
The new security operation delivers a step change in performance, with individual lanes capable of processing up to 600 passengers per hour, compared with approximately 350 passengers per hour previously. This significant increase in throughput capability will help reduce queues, improve operational resilience and provide a more comfortable experience for travellers.
The Central Search Zone has been created within a modern, open environment that is lighter, brighter and equipped with state-of-the-art Leidos next-generation screening equipment and Rohde & Schwarz body scanners. The new technology allows passengers to leave electronics and liquids under 100ml in their bags, helping to create a smoother and more convenient security experience
As part of the wider development, passengers will also be able to access new escalators leading directly to World Duty Free, further enhancing the flow through the departure lounge. Our brand new first in flow store is more than 1,000 sqm in size, broadly double the size of the current store and features a bigger range of customer favourites as well as exciting new brands such as Charlotte Tilbury, arriving into LBA for the very first time!
Vincent Hodder, CEO at Leeds Bradford Airport, said:
"The opening of our new Central Search Zone is a landmark moment for Leeds Bradford Airport and a major milestone in the delivery of our LBA:REGEN programme.
"This is a truly transformational investment that will significantly enhance the passenger experience. Not only are we increasing capacity, but we're introducing some of the most advanced security processing technology available at any UK regional airport.
"The new facility is outstanding in its field. By doubling our current security capacity, introducing dynamic queue management and increasing throughput from around 350 passengers per hour to up to 600 passengers per hour on a single lane, we're creating a more efficient, more comfortable journey for our customers.
"Most importantly, passengers will spend less time queuing and more time enjoying our terminal facilities before departure. The new environment is lighter, brighter, more intuitive and designed around the needs of today's travellers."
The opening of the Central Search Zone forms a key part of Leeds Bradford Airport's long-term vision to modernise its infrastructure, improve operational efficiency and deliver an airport experience that meets the expectations of a growing region.
With millions of passengers expected to benefit from the new facility each year, the investment reinforces LBA's commitment to providing best-in-class service and supporting future growth across Yorkshire and the North of England.
