RAF airbus visits Leeds Bradford Airport for the first time

The aircraft, which has four engines and is one of the largest and newest in the RAF’s fleet, arrived around lunchtime; after which RAF crew met with LBA operational staff to discuss ongoing mutual training opportunities. While on the ground there was an opportunity for staff at LBA to look around the aircraft. All usual flight operations at LBA remained on schedule.

James Baldwin, Operations Support Manager at LBA, said: “Organising visits such as this with the RAF is beneficial for both LBA and RAF personnel, providing training for operational team members. In addition, it’s a fantastic opportunity for the LBA staff team and business partners based at the airport to see it on the ground.

“It was great to welcome the A400M Atlas to LBA for the first time today – it is such an impressive aircraft. I’d like to thank the team members at RAF Brize Norton for their time and we very much look forward to continually working together.”

Flt Lt Beca Lee, originally from Harrogate, said: “It’s really exciting to be able to be back in Yorkshire and to land at LBA; 50% of the crew today are from Yorkshire so it’s been fantastic to show airport staff around the aircraft. We look forward to coming back to LBA in the future for more valuable training exercises.”