LEEDS-BRADFORD Airport (LBA) will be the first airport in the UK to use WhatsApp for flight alerts.

The development comes as part of a £5 million investment at the airport, set to get underway this summer.

It will include upgrades and customer service initiatives to enhance passenger experience.

Part of this includes digital flight updates via SMS alternative WhatsApp.

Other upgrades include improvements to washrooms and airport lounges, to provide a greater level of comfort for travellers.

The security hall is also set to be reorientated.

This, alongside behind-the-scenes upgrades to baggage systems, will create a smoother operation and in turn improve passenger flow through the airport.   

The planned programme comes directly from passenger feedback, according to Chief Commercial Officer at LBA, Joanna Wild.

She said: "Our vision is to serve our region as a truly outstanding airport and to profoundly change the perception and reality of customer experience for passengers.

"While we have a long-term plan to make this vision a reality, we recognise that our passengers need to see some immediate improvements to our services and facilities, and we are committed to getting this right.

"We have listened to passenger feedback and assessed each and every part of our existing terminal to create a priority list of enhancements, which includes everything from improved wayfinding to new staff uniforms so that passengers can find our teams when they need them.

"We are committed to making the journey through LBA smoother and passengers can expect to see a shift change in the way we do things.

"We’re really excited to introduce a number of customer service initiatives over the coming months to the benefit of all."

This announcement comes after LBA revealed fresh plans for a new multi-million-pound, sustainable terminal earlier this month.

The £150 million scheme - privately funded by LBA's owners AMP Capital - would meet the airport's targeted demand of seven million passengers by 2030.

And work could begin as soon as the end of 2020.

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