YORKSHIRE folk could soon be able to fly at last to New York from Leeds Bradford International airport - with American tourists and businessmen also able to fly straight into the region.

Two major US Airlines are seriously discussing links between the airport and John F Kennedy, it was revealed today.

It brings the prospect of huge waves of New York tourists and business people regularly visiting Old York a step closer - and regarded as "brilliant news" by regional business and tourism chiefs.

The revelation that talks were taking place comes in the wake of Wednesday's announcement that American Airlines is to launch its first-ever service between Newcastle and JFK from next May, the first-ever non-stop scheduled link between the two cities.

But the razzmatazzy launch, complete with New York cab and cheerleaders at Newcastle did not dampen the spirits of top brass at Leeds Bradford International.

Its spokeswoman said: "Talks are still ongoing with regards to an LBA-JFK service with two airlines based in the US.

"Newcastle has a very different catchment area to us with predominantly a leisure market. Leeds Bradford catchment has a strong business base that sits alongside the leisure market and with five million people within a 60-minute drivetime, we have a unique catchment area for a regional airport.

"It has been made clear to us that Leeds Bradford is still being given serious consideration following the Newcastle announcement."

The spokeswoman said that the runways at Leeds Bradford were long enough to accommodate 757 aircraft for flights to and from New York. She added that the names of the two airlines could not be revealed.

But it is understood that a top planning manager for an American airline hosted by Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield earlier this month, included Leeds Bradford International in a hush-hush tour of Yorkshire.

The business catchment argument is attractive, but the role of Old York as an alluring heritage city for New Yorkers, an ancient capital that attracts four million visitors a year, could also play a crucial part in any decision to offer a Leeds Bradford-JFK service.

Business and tourism chiefs in York welcomed the prospect of direct links to New York.

Len Cruddas, chief executive of the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: "If you want to get to New York from York now you have to get on a train which rattles to Manchester in a journey that takes almost as long as it does to get to London.

"The Nestl Rowntrees and CPPs of our region need instant links."

Imelda Havers, chief executive of york-england.com, the region's inward investment board, said: "This is brilliant news."

Updated: 10:26 Friday, July 29, 2005