Airport Consultative Committee [Questions & Responses]

[lbaspotter]

Are both air bridges currently working? I Saw stand 7 was been used on Sunday but didn't notice if stand 8 was in use too.

 

[oldendays]

Stand 8 airbridge has been out of action for months. My understanding is that it will not be repaired but rather adapted into a fixed bridge with a new set of steps to replace the driveable section.

 

[lbaspotter]

Stand 8 airbridge has been out of action for months. My understanding is that it will not be repaired but rather adapted into a fixed bridge with a new set of steps to replace the driveable section.

Go on, you've lost me with that one. What's the difference between what's there now and a fixed air bridge.
Will it still be direct link from terminal to aircraft, or not?

 

[Ian Gratton]

Would just like to say a very big thank you to WH for her very informative report on the Consultative Committee meeting, it is very much appreciated that you take the time to attend the meetings and update us on what is happening at our great little airport. I can't wait to see the new extension and use the new facilities. Please keep on reporting

 

[oldendays]

The sloping walkway from the terminal will be retained. The swivelling section will be removed and a stairway going at 90 degrees from the walkway down to the concrete will be installed in its place. So aircraft using stand 8 will still need to use their inbuilt airstairs or mobile steps from the handling agent.

 

[lbaspotter]

The sloping walkway from the terminal will be retained. The swivelling section will be removed and a stairway going at 90 degrees from the walkway down to the concrete will be installed in its place. So aircraft using stand 8 will still need to use their inbuilt airstairs or mobile steps from the handling agent.

Oh dear, I hope that plan isn't true and comes to frutrition. I suspect it won't go down well with pax..

I thought keeping the air bridge In tack and going down the "nose loader" option would be better. Basically it's dose away with the x-y axis and stays in a locked position, aircraft have to dock with it at the right stopping points marked out on the apron and it still lifts up or down into the correct locking position.

 

[LBA4EVER]

For me personally i feel this week has been one of those moments in the history of LBA! Why? with thanks to WH and her notes from the committee we now know the future plans for the airport, as far as im concerned the expansion plans i were hoping for are going to happen which has really made my week. Expansion of terminal, reconfigure existing terminal and extra parking stands, and of course look at the passenger figures! The pax figures are great and airlines are filling their planes esp the newbie ones.
So not been funny but why we been negative, lets celebrate this week and roll on sept!!

 

[KARFA]

It’s like everyone is going out of their way to confirm the points I made

 

[leedslad]

Seems pretty unsatisfactory re the "fixed" airbridge that you'd go down the steps from the plane only to immediately go up the steps to the bridge...

I appreciate not many airlines use them these days but it's hardly a great first impression to walk in to a bodge fixed airbridge done on the cheap.

And surely with the expansion aims having a second airbridge might be attractive to some airlines, especially if there are larger capacity planes to use the new capacity?

 

[Seasider]

They have probably decided that they will be brought back into service if/when required.

 

[Aviador]

Seems pretty unsatisfactory re the "fixed" airbridge that you'd go down the steps from the plane only to immediately go up the steps to the bridge...

I appreciate not many airlines use them these days but it's hardly a great first impression to walk in to a bodge fixed airbridge done on the cheap.

And surely with the expansion aims having a second airbridge might be attractive to some airlines, especially if there are larger capacity planes to use the new capacity?

More to the point LBA talks about wanting to offer long haul but then takes away the facilities long haul opertors would likely require.

With respects to the bridge, many airports now install these bridges prior to installing the actual movable telescopic section. There are a few different versions of these. LBA have (had) two different types. One which is just telescopic which is the cheapest option to buy and run, the second was telescopic and with a movable base. The downside of the cheapest option is if the aircraft manoeuvres to far forward the aircraft must be towed backwards to fit the telescopic arm. The downside of the second type as we all know is they frequently suffer from hydraulic failures which are expensive to mend.

 

[Scottie Dog]

A question for WH. The Manchester Airport Consultative Committee meetings are open to the public as "Observers". This is just the main Committee, the subcommittees meet behind closed doors, but minutes are published.

What is the situation at LBA please?

 

[White Heather]

A question for WH. The Manchester Airport Consultative Committee meetings are open to the public as "Observers". This is just the main Committee, the subcommittees meet behind closed doors, but minutes are published.

What is the situation at LBA please?

In the distant past, observers were allowed with consent of the Chair. That included local press . However, I haven't seen an observer in attendance for years, so suspect they are not allowed now. I'm unsure when things changed, or why. To be honest, the meeting room doesn't have a huge capacity, so there isn't really much room for anyone that isn't on the Committee

 

[lbaspotter]

More to the point LBA talks about wanting to offer long haul but then takes away the facilities long haul opertors would likely require.

With respects to the bridge prior to the movable part of the bridge, many airports now install these bridges prior to installing the actual movable telescopic section. There are a few different versions of these. LBA have (had) two different types. One which is just telescopic which is the cheapest option to buy and run, the second was telescopic and with a movable base. The downside of the cheapest option is if the aircraft manoeuvres to far forward the aircraft must be towed backwards to fit the telescopic arm. The downside of the second type as we all know is they frequently suffer from hydraulic failures which are expensive to mend.

If I remember correctly KLM actually either part of fully paid for the stand 7 airbridge installation.

If LBA want to attract long haul airlines in the future, then the stand 8 airbridge would need to be fixed as it's the only one capable to accept wide-bodied aircraft.

 

[Aviador]

If I remember correctly KLM actually either part of fully paid for the stand 7 airbridge installation.

If LBA want to attract long haul airlines in the future, then the stand 8 airbridge would need to be fixed as it's the only one capable to accept wide-bodied aircraft.

I was working at the airport when it was installed and spoke directly with those who were installing it. KLM didn't pay for the air bridge, in fact as Jet2 expanded KLM used to be frequently pushed off from night stopping on stand 7 onto stand 6. I was once told airlines were charged for using the air bridges but I can't confirm or deny this. Also with the stand constraints there has always pretty much been a case of like or lump with stand alocation and it you are put where you are put.

 

[White Heather]

I was working at the airport when it was installed and spoke directly with those who were installing it. KLM didn't pay for the air bridge, in fact as Jet2 expanded KLM used to be frequently pushed off from night stopping on stand 7 onto stand 6. I was once told airlines were charged for using the air bridges but I can't confirm or deny this. Also with the stand constraints there has always pretty much been a case of like or lump with stand alocation and it you are put where you are put.

Airlines did pay to use them. Whether they do now, I wouldn't know. Given they are regularly broken, let's hope if they do, they pay in arrears! Jet2 seem to use them /it regularly when available. I've departed via the airbridge several times , all on Jet2 flights, and arrived on one once, also Jet2.
I recall them being installed at great expense - to LBA. Frankly, I think airport management are thoroughly fed up with those that are there. Still unreliable despite various expensive repairs over the years. They probably need replacing with new, but unless there are airlines demanding them, or willing to come here if they're available, it's a waste of several million pounds . Some airports dont bother with them at all and it's easy to see why.

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Airlines did pay to use them. Whether they do now, I wouldn't know. Given they are regularly broken, let's hope if they do, they pay in arrears! Jet2 seem to use them /it regularly when available. I've departed via the airbridge several times , all on Jet2 flights, and arrived on one once, also Jet2.
I recall them being installed at great expense - to LBA. Frankly, I think airport management are thoroughly fed up with those that are there. Still unreliable despite various expensive repairs over the years. They probably need replacing with new, but unless there are airlines demanding them, or willing to come here if they're available, it's a waste of several million pounds . Some airports dont bother with them at all and it's easy to see why.

Does our nearest rival Newcastle have airbridges?

If the airport can guarantee boarding from gate onto aircraft some full service carriers won't be bothered. The trouble with that is it would require a new road layout to ensure that happens. LBA is unique I think that the road layout is in front of the parked aircraft and not behind it like most other airports.

 

[Aviador]

A question for the next meeting.

Will the new bridges with steps (if that is what they are installing) be able to take airbridges at a later stage and is that the intention. Also will there be an indoors route to the new arrivals facility from stands adjacent to the terminal or will there be requirement to use buses from all stands?

 

[White Heather]

A question for the next meeting.

Will the new bridges with steps (if that is what they are installing) be able to take airbridges at a later stage and is that the intention. Also will there be an indoors route to the new arrivals facility from stands adjacent to the terminal or will there be requirement to use buses from all stands?

It's 3 months away. Please remind me nearer the time, assuming I'm attending, which may not be the case in September.
It was however, stated at last week's meeting that passengers would access arrivals either on foot (externally as theres no suggestion of any new walkways), via the existing walkway (what's left if it) or by bus.

 

[jason1-11]

Does our nearest rival Newcastle have airbridges?

If the airport can guarantee boarding from gate onto aircraft some full service carriers won't be bothered. The trouble with that is it would require a new road layout to ensure that happens. LBA is unique I think that the road layout is in front of the parked aircraft and not behind it like most other airports.

Yes, 2 I believe. The one at the end of the pier is used for the daily Emirates 777 and BA also utilise an airbridge close to the main terminal.