Leeds Labour councillor Salma Arif said: “I really welcome this and what it will mean for jobs in the area.”
Stephen Place, Reform leader of Bradford Council, said: “I’m delighted to be supporting this. Leeds Bradford Airport is a vital hub for the region.
“I do believe a shuttle bus from Apperley Bridge Station would alleviate a lot of transport issues for passengers in the area.”
Alan Lamb, a Conservative Leeds councillor, added: “This is absolutely critical for Leeds and the wider region. It is a tricky project to deliver because of the topography.”
According to the Local Democracy Reporting service, he said it would also unlock jobs and housing land, saying it would have a “huge impact” beyond just transport to and from the airport.
Lamb also asked officers if they could give any timing for the works, adding: “Can you tell us when people will be able to start getting trains?”
Simon Pope, transport capital programme director, said it would take “at least two years to get to the point where we have a full business case”.
That would involve investigations into what level of rail service the new station would be able to provide, Pope added.
Members voted to push ahead with the plans.
The West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has also thrown its weight behind the plans.
Mark Casci, its head of policy and representation, said the chamber was “massively supportive of any efforts” to build the parkway station.
“We would wish to see a positive and speedy decision made regarding its approval,” he said.
“The leadership team at Leeds Bradford Airport is very ambitious and its recent refurbishment is delivering a much better passenger experience.
“But the key next step is connectivity and new routes, something the station will enable.”
