INTERVIEW WITH SALLY RAFFERTY - MANAGING DIRECTOR, LEEDS EAST AIRPORT

Sally, for anyone who hasn’t met you yet, can you share a little about your background and what brought you to Leeds East Airport?

Leeds East Airport and Church Fenton have been a central part of my professional journey since 2014, when we took over the site and began its transformation. What defines us is the strength and stability of the team here - a committed, experienced group of people who care deeply about the site and its long-term success.

For me, it’s been about honouring the site’s heritage while carefully unlocking its potential - not just as an airport, but as a multi-use destination that supports aviation, business, creativity and the wider community.

How would you describe your vision for the airport in one or two sentences?

My vision is for Leeds East Airport and Church Fenton to become a Yorkshire landmark - a future-facing business hub where aviation, enterprise, events and community sit side by side in a space that feels ambitious, welcoming and built for the long term.

THE AIRPORT TODAY

Leeds East has such a unique heritage and setting - what do you think sets it apart from other regional airports in the UK?

Very few sites have this combination of history, scale and adaptability. Church Fenton’s roots as a wartime airbase sit alongside its modern role as a working airport and commercial hub.

What truly sets us apart is the strength of our team and the clarity of our long-term vision. We’re agile, responsive and thoughtful in how the site develops - able to embrace opportunity without losing sight of what makes this place special.

For people who don’t know the site well, can you talk us through the different things that happen here day-to-day?

Day to day, Leeds East is incredibly varied. Alongside aviation activity and flight movements, we’re home to commercial storage, logistics and specialist businesses, media, film and production work, events, a very busy café, as well as a growing programme of community activity.

It’s a working environment, but also one that’s thriving - there’s always something happening and never a dull moment.

Sally with Leeds East Airport Manager, Nikki

COMMERCIAL STORAGE & BUSINESS GROWTH

Commercial storage has become a huge part of Leeds East. What types of businesses are choosing to base themselves here?

We’re fortunate to work with an incredibly diverse mix of businesses - from logistics and media production through to health, postal and creative companies. Over the years, we’ve hosted productions for ITV, the BBC and Top Gear, alongside Air TV, who are based on site and carry out a significant amount of their filming and production here.

One of the things that really sets Leeds East apart is the scale and flexibility of our hangarage. The spaces here are genuinely unique - large enough to accommodate complex builds and productions. At one point, Beyoncé’s full stage set for her last tour was constructed inside one of our hangars to test it out, which gives a sense of the sheer scale we’re working with.

Why do you think Leeds East is proving so attractive for storage, logistics and commercial clients?

Scale, flexibility and location all play a part - but it’s also about how the site is run. My team and I take a collaborative, practical and long-term approach with all our occupiers.

Businesses value the ability to adapt space to their needs. There aren’t many sites in the UK that can offer that level of versatility and infrastructure in one place.

Is there a particular project or development on the commercial side that you’re really excited about?

What excites me most is how organically the commercial side has evolved. We’re increasingly working with businesses who need space that can flex and scale with them.

The calibre and diversity of tenants choosing Leeds East reinforces that we’re offering something genuinely different: space, infrastructure and support that allows ambitious projects to happen without unnecessary constraints.

EVENTS & COMMUNITY

Events at Leeds East Airport and Church Fenton are growing rapidly - from corporate gatherings to festivals and even weddings. What vision do you have for the events side of the business?

Events are a big and important part of Church Fenton. While we don’t directly plan the events ourselves, we thrive on being an exceptional location for them.

Our focus is on providing the space, flexibility, infrastructure and support that allow organisers to deliver outstanding experiences. Whether it’s a corporate gathering, automotive event, private celebration or large-scale festival, we aim to be adaptable, helpful and easy to work with - ensuring the site enhances the event rather than complicates it.

What types of events feel most ‘at home’ here on site?

Events that embrace the scale and character of the site tend to work best. Corporate away days, exhibitions, product launches, automotive and aviation-led events, weddings and festivals all feel very natural here.

Because of the sheer size of the site, there’s freedom to think bigger and more creatively, while still benefiting from strong infrastructure and clear operational processes.

Acres of land mean you can create incredibly special and unique events around your needs and wants

What do you think surprises people most when they visit Leeds East or Church Fenton for the first time?

Most people are surprised by the scale of the site and how much is happening here day to day. There’s often an assumption that an airport is purely about aviation, but Leeds East is far more layered than that.

People are also struck by how open and welcoming it feels. It’s a working environment, but one with real energy, a strong team behind it and a clear sense of purpose.

How do you see the airport playing a role in the wider Yorkshire community?

Leeds East has an important role to play as both an employer and a place that brings people together. Through on-site businesses, creative projects, shared spaces and events, we’re able to create opportunities for collaboration and connection that extend well beyond the runway.

We’re proud to contribute to regional growth and to play a positive role within the village of Church Fenton and the wider Yorkshire community.

LOOKING AHEAD

With UK aviation on such an upward trajectory, what opportunities do you see for regional airports like Leeds East?

Aviation remains central to what we do, and recent enhancements to airport security have opened exciting new opportunities. We’re now able to accommodate larger aircraft, which means we’re increasingly working with private jet operators and fleet operators such as VistaJet, NetJets and Flexjet.

That ability strengthens Leeds East’s position as a serious regional aviation hub, while still offering the discretion and efficiency that private aviation clients value.

Are there any future developments or ideas you’re able to share that people can look forward to?

Yes - Create Yorkshire is a hugely exciting development for us and very much in the public domain. It represents the next phase of Leeds East’s evolution: a strategic design-and-build opportunity for industrial, logistics, creative and media businesses.

The vision is to create a fully serviced business hub that brings together innovation, production and enterprise, all within the unique setting of Leeds East Airport and Church Fenton. It’s a natural progression of everything the site has been building towards over the past decade.

Events and community activity are growing rapidly here. How do they fit into your vision?

They’re an essential part of the bigger picture. Events and community activity add life and vibrancy to the site, complementing the aviation and commercial sides of the business.

They ensure Leeds East isn’t just somewhere people pass through or work from, but somewhere people actively engage with - whether that’s attending an event, visiting the café, or being part of something rooted in Yorkshire.

How does the café and shared space impact day-to-day life on site?

It’s the most amazing positive impact since relaunching recently under new ownership with F4D Events. It’s become a real hub - somewhere tenants, visitors and local residents can connect and enjoy great food!

It really strengthens the sense of community on site which is incredibly valuable in such a busy, multi-use environment. You must try the food if you haven’t yet!

What do you personally hope Leeds East will be known for in the next 5–10 years?

I’d love Leeds East to be known as a Yorkshire landmark that delivers - not just in ambition, but in integrity.

In the next 5–10 years, I hope we’re welcoming larger aircraft regularly, operating with enhanced security infrastructure and continuing to grow as a serious aviation hub. I’d also love to see Create Yorkshire fully established on site, with a thriving film and production presence - positioning Leeds East as a recognised business and creative hub in the North.

Ultimately, I want it to be known as a destination that balances aviation, enterprise, creativity and community in a cohesive, well-managed way - somewhere people feel confident investing their time, business and trust.

If you could describe Leeds East Airport and Church Fenton in three words, what would they be?

Versatile. Trusted. Welcoming.

And finally, what makes you feel most proud when you think about everything Leeds East has become?

I’m proud in so many ways, but ultimately I’d have to say seeing so many different industries and communities that have come together here is what I’m most proud of. All of our tenants are absolutely amazing and the dedicated team we’ve built is truly incredible. It feels like a place with real momentum - and that’s incredibly rewarding.

Friends for Dinner Events now serving up delicious
food at The Bistro

Leeds East Airport FBO