Regional airports in the UK are tipped to increase in popularity in the future, with increased choices for holidaymakers on flight times and destinations.

This is according to Leeds-Bradford Airport, which reports that it has itself been one of the fastest growing regional airports, with 75 per cent growth in traffic.

The airport offers a number of domestic and European services and is now to focus on long-haul flights traditionally served by Heathrow, such as those to New York.

Tony Hallwood, commercial and aviation development director at the airport, said: "There is not a shadow of a doubt that regional airports in the UK are going to gain in popularity."

He added that the larger number of scheduled airlines and wider choice available means that there is less need for travellers to head to London to make their flights.

Figures from the Civil Aviation Authority reveal that 241 million passengers passed through UK airports in 2007, with numbers flying from regional hubs accounting for 42 per cent of this total.

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