Ryanair has announced plans to establish a hub at Leeds Bradford Airport, which will become the airline’s 34th base.

A Ryanair spokesman said the new base, which will open next March, would create 1,000 “well-paid” jobs in Yorkshire.

The company will operate two aircraft from Leeds Bradford, offering 14 new routes and 63 weekly return flights to and from the airport in an investment worth more than £84 million to the airport.

The new routes will take Ryanair’s total number of destinations from Leeds Bradford to 17.

The airline expects the new flights to result in one million passengers passing through the airport each year.

John Parkin, Leeds Bradford International Airport chief executive, said: “This is a great vote of confidence in the potential of both the airport and our region from Europe’s largest airline.

“Today’s announcement makes us an exception in the sector and will help create much-needed jobs.

“It shows Ryanair shares our confidence in the tremendous opportunity for strong market growth.”

Ryanair boss Mr O’Leary added: “Ryanair is delighted to announce Leeds Bradford as our 34th base and our 11th UK base airport.

“Ryanair’s one million passengers will create and sustain 1,000 jobs locally at Leeds Bradford Airport.”

The move follows the recent approval of terminal development works at the airport.