BANNERS promoting York could be awaiting millions of passengers arriving at Leeds Bradford International Airport as part of an £85,000 campaign to drive business to the city.

In its bid to become a top five UK city and top ten European city by 2015, City of York Council has revealed the new advertising scheme.

Councillors are being asked to approve the spend of £10,000 for the development of the campaign followed by £75,000 for the roll-out.

The council will provide funding for the first year from the Economic Infrastructure Fund, with the hope that partner organisations will stump up the £75,000 annual running cost for a further three years.

Aiming to attract business visitors, leisure visitors, inward investors and students, the authority is seeking to agree a package with the airport for advertising space in International Arrivals, baggage and on 100 luggage trolleys.

In a report to be discussed at Cabinet on September 3, the council’s head of economic development Katie Stewart says: “In the interest of facilitating greater international market connectivity and awareness of the York offer, our economic development and transport teams are working with the airport on the development of its strategic masterplan for the future