Group for Action of Leeds Bradford Airport (GALBA) joined the COP26 Day of Action protests in Glasgow at the weekend and called for action against airport expansions in the UK.
If just one return flight from the UK to New York emits as much greenhouse gas as the average British household does in a whole year, why are we still expanding airports?
That's just one of the limitless questions that climate activists around the country have been asking this week.
The COP26 brought leaders and protesters around the world for a week of climate change conflict and is now entering into its second week in the city.
Whilst searching for efficient new technologies to make the aviation industry a greener environment at the UN Climate Conference, the government has been criticised for greenwashing.
The government spoke out about their 'techno-centric' Jet Zero strategy, explaining its importance in reducing emissions across the UK.
According to GALBA, the group protesting against the expansion of Leeds Bradford Airport, this announcement was despite Climate Change Committee members "repeatedly warned that because there is no realistic prospect of international flying becoming zero carbon by 2050".
GALBA has been protesting, virtually and in person, against the expansion of Leeds Bradford Airport due to environmental damage. / Image: GALBA
The group believes that the government needs to implement ‘demand control’ measures, including an immediate halt on all UK airport expansion plans.
In protest, demonstrations at airports across the UK took place, including Doncaster-Sheffield, Manchester, and Leeds Bradford Airport.
Chris Foren, chair of GALBA, said: “The government and the aviation industry claim that new technology means we can carry on flying as much as we like despite the climate crisis. It’s deeply irresponsible to spread these false claims.
"The experts on the Climate Change Committee warn that such a ‘techno-centric' approach has a high risk of failure. New aircraft designs and alternative fuels are decades away from making a dent in the huge amount of greenhouse gas emissions caused by international flying".
The day of protest will not be the last of the GALBA group, as the protesters want to ensure that Leeds Bradford Airport capacity does not grow from 4 to 7 million, as current plans suggest.
For more information on the Leeds Bradford Airport expansion and the protesters opposing the plans, visit the GALBA website.
Strikes by almost 130 workers at Leeds Bradford Airport are set to escalate.
If you're planning on catching a flight from Leeds Bradford Airport, then you may want to double check the date.
Last week it was announced that workers were set to strike and bring the airport to complete standstill in a dispute over pay.
Today it has been announced that thestrikes are set to escalate and a second set of strikes have been announced.
The Unite members planning on going on strike are a mixture of air traffic control workers, customer experience staff, security staff and cleaners.
The workers involved in the dispute have recently come out of a four-year pay deal, with some of the departments having fallen behind other airports in equivalent roles.
Pay talks have been happening since December 2025, with the airport's formal offer not going far enough to address the lack of pay parity.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: "It is wrong that workers at Leeds Bradford Airport are paid far less than those doing the same job at another nearby airport.
"These are essential workers who play a vital role in ensuring the smooth running of the airport and the safety of passengers and deserve fair pay. Unite will always fully back our members taking action at Leeds Bradford Airport.”
The original strikes were due to take place from 03:00 this Friday 16 October to 06:00 Sunday 18 October for hourly paid staff and from 06:00 Friday 16 October to 06:00 Sunday 18 October for air traffic control workers.
The next round of industrial action will now take place from Monday 23 October to Wednesday 2 November, which coincides with the busy half term period.
Unite regional officer Neil Whitaker said: “We appreciate those travelling to and from Leeds Bradford Airport will be concerned to hear that there are further strike dates, but the situation is completely the fault of the airport’s management. It can end this dispute, but that relies on it coming back to the table with a fair deal for our members.”
Beloved Leeds pub to undergo huge transformation following £230k investment
Clementine Hall
A Leeds pub has closed its doors for a major refurbishment, and will open under a completely different name.
The Mustard Pot in Chapel Allerton has received a whopping £230k investment, and is set to reopen as a ‘Grandstand’ sports pub.
The much-loved community pub will be completely transformed, with new features designed to deliver a 'stadium-style' sports experience.
The refurbishment will include the installation of multiple massive screens, an immersive state-of-the-art sound system, and flexible tiered seating.
The beer garden will also be refurbished, with new TV screens installed, whilst the interior will be decked out with sports memorabilia of local stars past and present.
Once reopened, the pub will show all key sporting fixtures, including football, rugby, cricket, tennis, F1, darts and horse racing.
Operations Manager, Zoe Eastwood, said: “We are so excited about the plans to re-open as a Grandstand pub. We know our locals are sporting mad and can’t wait to be able to offer them the best possible experience when they can visit us again.”
Local Leeds sports teams will be able to apply for a Grandstand ‘Black Card’, giving them access to exclusive offers and rewards for celebrating their wins at their new local.
The Grandstand transformation follows industry research revealing that 8.5 million consumers have watched live sport in pubs, with 86% of fans preferring sports pubs for their atmosphere.
The Mustard Pot has now closed for refurbishment and will reopen on Wednesday 4 November.
What do you make of this transformation then? Will you miss The Mustard Pot as you know and love it, or are you excited for the new concept?
You can find out more about the new space here via their website.
Sophie Smith -
8th November 2021 
