The chief executive of Leeds Bradford Airport has launched a scathing attack on the government for its silence over plans for a new £150 million terminal in Yorkshire.
The airport was originally granted planning approval by Leeds City Council in February for a new state-of-the-art terminal.
However, former housing secretary Robert Jenrick MP took extraordinary steps in April to 'call in' the decision, saying the government needed to scrutinise the planning application in further detail.
Click here for the latest updates from Leeds Bradford Airport
Vincent Hodder, chief executive of Leeds Bradford Airport, told YorkshireLive there has been "no communication" in the eight months since, leaving their plans in limbo.
He said: "I honestly cannot understand how a private business can invest over £4 million in putting together extra reports, plans, studies, can work with the local council - and then to have it just sit on someone's desk in Whitehall with no communication to us on timelines, no sense of how that is being dealt with or what is happening in any other sense.
"I would call it appalling."
Leeds Bradford Airport had hoped to start work on the new terminal this year, with the aim of opening it to passengers by 2023.
That now looks unlikely and despite several attempts to push government for an answer, Mr Hodder admitted he has "no idea" when they will hear back on whether the plans will be approved.
"I sent a letter to the [new] secretary of state [Michael Gove] on his appointment.
"I did actually receive a response, which purely said we can't make any comment. It's under review."
Mr Hodder's admission came as he unveiled plans for the airport to reach net-zero targets by 2030.
Climate campaigners have been vocal in their criticism of the airport's new terminal, suggesting it is linked with expanding capacity.
But Leeds Bradford Airport have maintained their ambitions to cater for up to seven millions passengers a year by 2030 has already been granted under a separate application.
"I've been consistent right through the process that the new terminal is not about the growth of the airport," said Mr Hodder.
"It never has been.
"The growth of the airport will just continue in a different way."
To get the latest email updates from LeedsLive, click here.
