Travel chaos has erupted at one of Yorkshire's busiest airports this afternoon as Leeds Bradford Airport was forced to close its doors following a major security incident. Emergency services descended on the terminal building, bringing all operations to an abrupt halt and leaving hundreds of passengers stranded.
Complete Shutdown as Emergency Crews Swarm Terminal
Witnesses reported seeing multiple police vehicles and fire crews racing to the scene around midday, with airport authorities making the immediate decision to suspend all operations. The sudden closure has created massive disruption for travellers, with both departing and arriving flights affected.
"We can confirm the airport is currently closed due to an ongoing incident," an airport spokesperson stated. "We're working with emergency services and will provide updates as soon as possible. Passengers are advised not to travel to the airport at this time."
Passengers Left in Limbo Amid Growing Frustration
Social media has been flooded with images and videos showing crowded departure halls and lengthy queues as confused travellers seek information. Many passengers due to fly out today now face uncertain wait times and potential cancellations.
One stranded holidaymaker told reporters: "We were about to board our flight to Spain when suddenly everything stopped. No one's telling us what's happening or when we might get away. It's complete chaos in here."
Regional Travel Network Faces Knock-On Effects
The closure is causing ripple effects across the region's transport network, with increased traffic reported on roads around the airport as taxis and collection vehicles divert. Local hotels are also experiencing a surge in enquiries from passengers whose travel plans have been thrown into disarray.
Airport officials have established an emergency response team to coordinate with airlines about rescheduling affected flights, though they warn that disruption is likely to continue throughout the day even after the incident is resolved.
