Leeds Bradford: General Airport Discussion & Updates

[LBA4EVER]

I so love all this speculation and it's what makes this forum so great. I totally get that previous experiences are making people sceptical but I firmly believe we are seeing a build up to something bigger than we have seen for a while. Here's hoping at least

🙂 What is said and happens on here is more exciting than LBA at the moment! but I agree I think something big is coming

 

[Heathrowflyer]

It's definitely Easyjet...from Statto's post about Jon Cunliffe. Ok they are predominantly leisure and they will be trying to take on the dominance of Jet 2 but at least it will give us more leisure choice, hopefully at the right price. Business would be great but unless Virgin Connect decides to give BA or KLM a run for their money, LBA is too entrenched as a bucket and spade airport to make real indents on business connectivity. The issue being it's the business connectivity that could justify speedier improvements in LBA road/rail transport connectivity to bring jobs to the region and boost the local economy. There would be less of an appetite to speed transport developments if it's to facilitate the bucket and spade market.

 

[lbaspotter]

For anyone not on Linked In this was the message posted by Jon Cunliffe in reply to Ciaran Smith at Stobart Air.

 

[Statto]

It's definitely Easyjet...from Statto's post about Jon Cunliffe. Ok they are predominantly leisure and they will be trying to take on the dominance of Jet 2 but at least it will give us more leisure choice, hopefully at the right price. Business would be great but unless Virgin Connect decides to give BA or KLM a run for their money, LBA is too entrenched as a bucket and spade airport to make real indents on business connectivity. The issue being it's the business connectivity that could justify speedier improvements in LBA road/rail transport connectivity to bring jobs to the region and boost the local economy. There would be less of an appetite to speed transport developments if it's to facilitate the bucket and spade market.

Interesting. Other than the fact Jon used to work for Easyjet, there’s nothing in his post that provides any clues. My interpretation was that it was a post about increased hub connectivity and so the KLM upguage was a similar kind of story and he might well be thinking of that. Probably also worth saying that this route news might not actually be the ‘massive’ news and there could be more than one thing going on.

 

[Jerry]

My interpretation was that it was a post about increased hub connectivity and so the KLM upguage was a similar kind of story and he might well be thinking of that.

LBA seem an airport that would want more hub connectivity rather than Easyjet, if there is to be an announcement i'd have thought Lufthansa would be a good bet as they seem to be expanding their regional presence.

 

[Bigman]

How about something like Air Europa to Madrid now that they are part of the IAG group? Or maybe Jet2 to go long-haul to Orlando as seems to be being hinted at from their major bases.

 

[Hendi]

Only time will tell! Weve been hyped up before about routes/airlines coming only for it to be snatched away.

 

[White Heather]

I refuse to get excited. I will do that only if/when anything is announced that deserves excitement.

As for Easyjet - well with Jon Cunliffe here and his previous Easyjet connections, and their home base being another AMP Capital airport (LTN), we have never had a better opportunity to get them back here at LBA. AMP have 3 airports in the UK, 2 of which have an Easyjet presence. It would surely be feasible to get a deal with the airline which covers all 3 of them, as Peel Holdings did some years ago with Wizz. However, I am nut sure that anyone is in a position to claim this is definite, or even imminent.

At the moment there is nothing to suggest whether this news (if it exists) will be massive in a good way or a bad way, so my feet remain firmly on the ground.

 

[a300boy]

Just seen the press release about the extra Jet 2 flights to the Canaries this winter plus the extra one or two Stobart and Eastern flights so maybe this was the massive announcement that we were expecting.
If not it seems odd they withheld the massive news when issuing it to the public.

 

[Heathrowflyer]

I agree, maybe I'm just being too optimistic. I just don't see any massive news relating to business flights given the current consolidation of the aviation sector and impact of Brexit.

Also, in terms of 'the news' I dont think Jon would be hinting about it on linkedin/social media if it was not promising. What's classed as exciting in LBA terms though is the real question...it could be Easyjet basing aircraft here or it could be something like an extra flight to Newquay next year on a wet Wednesday with free hand luggage thrown in.

The new management has already started to implement changes within 6 months of starting and have announced increases in parking charges. I know they have to sweat their assets but it's not a great charm offensive. Personally, if this income was needed I'd have buried it amongst the final terminal development plans ...surely that announcement must be immement as construction probably wont even start until next September now (at the earliest) if it's still to go ahead.

Btw just tried to find a short, winter city break from LBA via its website and gave up. The LBA website has to have one of the worst navigation tools (or lack of one) that I've come across. Whilst its main pages feature heavily on promoting parking and lounges, ironically it's hard to find which routes are available on specific dates without having to randomly choose a date to see if there's a flight then.

 

[Tarn Spotter]

I refuse to get excited. I will do that only if/when anything is announced that deserves excitement.

As for Easyjet - well with Jon Cunliffe here and his previous Easyjet connections, and their home base being another AMP Capital airport (LTN), we have never had a better opportunity to get them back here at LBA. AMP have 3 airports in the UK, 2 of which have an Easyjet presence. It would surely be feasible to get a deal with the airline which covers all 3 of them, as Peel Holdings did some years ago with Wizz. However, I am nut sure that anyone is in a position to claim this is definite, or even imminent.

At the moment there is nothing to suggest whether this news (if it exists) will be massive in a good way or a bad way, so my feet remain firmly on the ground.

I have sent Father Christmas my LBA wish list, may have more joy via this route, at least only get disappointed one day a year.

 

[Aviador]

🙂

I have sent Father Christmas my LBA wish list, may have more joy via this route, at least only get disappointed one day a year.

Well we will know whose been naughty or nice then wont we.

 

[lbaspotter]

If today's KLM announcement is not what we all think it is!

I wonder has @Bobby Ham heard something else that might be classed as "MASSIVE NEWS" which his not letting on about, If so can he please confirm this is not it, but its something else that his heard? 😴🤔

 

[Bigman]

Has anyone stopped to consider that the reference to 'massive' could actually have been a real ironic tongue-in-cheek comment about some small announcement (eg KLM increase) that is being overly hyped? This is LBA after all!!

 

[Gray Ham]

I also wondered if “massive” was being used sarcastically. Still fearing if it truly is “massive” that it’s negative but live in hope ad optimism. I do think Bobby Ham might take a little more responsibility for the speculation he has caused and advise the forum whether we’ve now had the “massive” news or should remain on tenterhooks!

 

[Finger66]

My rose tinted glasses still think there is more to be announced including something big. However, definitely need to keep my feet on the ground in all of this, which is quite ironic in referring to aviation

 

[Bobby Ham]

I've just said, verbatim, what I was told. Simon Whitby called up to say to watch out for "Massive" Airport news in the next couple of weeks. I don't think it's the KLM announcement that he was referring to.

 

[paully]

I've just said, verbatim, what I was told. Simon Whitby called up to say to watch out for "Massive" Airport news in the next couple of weeks. I don't think it's the KLM announcement that he was referring to.

Come on guys..Bobby posted in good faith and thats all we can ever ask of people. Let us all draw breath again, be patient and see if any other news comes in the next couple of weeks..

 

[Bigman]

Not having a go at you at all Bobby. It's just that we have seen so many false dawns over the years with announcements, that we all tend top be vary wary/cynical.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

II was also told by someone who had spoken to a director that there was a 'Massive' announcement coming. Of course as I dont know who Bobby Ham is the person who told me could have been him! If we work on the basis it wasnt and there are two independent sources using the word 'Massive' then the announcement is probably still pending. Lets hope so.