DESPITE the economic recession, Leeds Bradford Airport is currently seeking to expand its airport terminal and is hoping to increase passenger numbers from nearly three million passengers per year to five million by 2012/13.

Any expansion on this scale would be a disaster for the local economy and the planet.

We already have a huge trade deficit in the tourism industry.

The situation would become worse if the airport expansion was approved and more holidaymakers took their holiday abroad, with millions of pounds being lost from the regional economy and a reduction in jobs in the tourism sector.

A busier airport would considerably increase local traffic congestion, cause significant noise pollution and contribute to climate change.

Many of the destinations visited by tourists are at risk from climate change. Popular holiday destinations visited by British tourists, such as Spain or Greece, are likely to become too hot to visit in future and are already are suffering water shortages. Winter ski resorts also face the prospect of winters without snow.

The Government recently passed legislation making it obligatory for us to take action to prevent dangerous climate change by cutting our carbon dioxide emissions by at least 80 per cent by 2050. It will be almost impossible to achieve this target if regional airports expand.

However green airline operators may claim their planes to be, the increase in the number of planes flying will outweigh any increase in aircraft fuel efficiency.

In a time of recession we really should be supporting our region and taking more holidays at home. Yorkshire is full of interesting places to visit, so why not take time to see the local attractions?

If you would like to object to the airport expansion plans see foe.co.uk/campaigns/climate/pr ess_for_change/leeds_bradford_ 18346.html

Guy Wallbanks
Co-ordinator, York and Ryedale Friends of the Earth, Kingsway West, York.