Route Development & Rumours

[White Heather]

I cant read the article as I refuse to pay to read the YEPs poor excuse for journalism, but they are showing Vince Hodder leading an LBA sponsored delegation to the middle east, seemingly hunting for airlines to fly to LBA. Its accompanied by the usual brain dead negative comments of course.

 

[Snackbar]

I cant read the article as I refuse to pay to read the YEPs poor excuse for journalism, but they are showing Vince Hodder leading an LBA sponsored delegation to the middle east, seemingly hunting for airlines to fly to LBA. Its accompanied by the usual brain dead negative comments of course.

He is with North and West Yorkshire chambers on commerce on a trade delegation across Bahrain and Saudi etc.

 

[Iron Duck]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1988698867370709469

Considering Mr Hodder’s latest trip, this is disappointing to see!

 

[Finger66]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1988698867370709469

Considering Mr Hodder’s latest trip, this is disappointing to see!

In all honesty a Saudia route has always been pie in the sky. That said VH was presumably pursuing something. Will be interesting to see if he is there tomorrow and if there is an opportunity to question him accordingly. Will do my best to take notes and report back but I will say in advance I am no @White Heather

 

[lbaspotter]

If you’ve got LinkedIn account you’ll be able see what the airports new Aviation director Declan Maguire has just posted using the following link.

If you look elsewhere on LinkedIn you’ll also see he along with LBA’s CEO Vincent Hodder have had direct talks with Saudi Airlines at its HQ in Jeddah.

Today marks the conclusion of our mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where we’ve held a series of productive meetings with airlines and airports, promoting the strong demand and evidencing the… | Declan Maguire

Today marks the conclusion of our mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where we’ve held a series of productive meetings with airlines and airports, promoting the strong demand and evidencing the broad business support for a direct air service between Yorkshire and Saudi Arabia. At Leeds...

www.linkedin.com

Spoiler: Full post

 

[Finger66]

Without wanting to sound ultra negative here, especially as I would love an ME carrier at LBA, this is all a bit DSA esque. By that I mean talking to airlines is very different to an airline actually willing to operate. But operating does of course have to be preceded by talks so I suppose you just never know. However as Sean M is confident SV are about to increase their MAN offering I really don't see how LBA fits in too. They may just be another airline that sees MAN as the place to serve the northern demand........ unfortunately

 

[White Heather]

Without wanting to sound ultra negative here, especially as I would love an ME carrier at LBA, this is all a bit DSA esque. By that I mean talking to airlines is very different to an airline actually willing to operate. But operating does of course have to be preceded by talks so I suppose you just never know. However as Sean M is confident SV are about to increase their MAN offering I really don't see how LBA fits in too. They may just be another airline that sees MAN as the place to serve the northern demand........ unfortunately

The difference is that LBA is a growing and successful airport with a very large catchment area. DSA is none of those things. Its currently not even an airport.

LBA management cant attract such airlines without making an effort. They could take the view there's no chance, stay at home and just accept the likes of Jet2, Ryanair or Easyjet, so in my view they are to be congratulated on making the effort. Airlines such as Saudia are buying large numbers of A321 aircraft and intent on expansion. Who is to say they may not look at some new airports? If you don't ask, you don't get. Even if its not Saudia, there are other airlines . I feel sure that the decision makers over there will at least now know where Leeds is and that its airport is growing, and that its not some small city of no significance, near Manchester.

 

[gulftraveller]

If LBA wants a major ME carrier such as SV it needs to offer cargo handling. Without it, I think low cost such as FlyNas are the best option.

 

[Bob O'JOb]

Cough cough FlyaDeal cough cough

 

[SierraHotel]

Has anyone heard any further information regarding potential FR expansion at LBA?

 

[BCFC]

Has anyone heard any further information regarding potential FR expansion at LBA?

And Air Blue…. that's gone all quiet.

 

[mullion]

Don`t think the Air Blue will happen at either LBA or MAN and I agree re SV as
has been said already lots of cargo needed as was needed when they started at MAN

 

[White Heather]

Don`t think the Air Blue will happen at either LBA or MAN and I agree re SV as
has been said already lots of cargo needed as was needed when they started at MAN

You don't need lots of cargo if they use an A321NEO. Whether they need a stop en route though is another matter.

 

[pug]

Without wanting to sound ultra negative here, especially as I would love an ME carrier at LBA, this is all a bit DSA esque. By that I mean talking to airlines is very different to an airline actually willing to operate. But operating does of course have to be preceded by talks so I suppose you just never know. However as Sean M is confident SV are about to increase their MAN offering I really don't see how LBA fits in too. They may just be another airline that sees MAN as the place to serve the northern demand........ unfortunately

In this case we don’t know how much pressure may have been applied by the trade boards that have organised the trip, it may be none of course but the airport will be flying the flag for connectivity and so it makes sense for them being there even if it has no tangible result (which I suspect will be the case). I’m convinced that Turkish offer the best solution for connections to the Middle and Far East from airports like LBA, and even if this local trade trip doesn’t result in direct air links it could bolster the case for the aforementioned.

So in this instance I don’t believe it’s DSA-esq as they’re not trying to reopen a failed airport, they’re promoting a growing airport.

 

[mullion]

It did need cargo as for first few months loads were very low

 

[BCFC]

YEP says that Doncaster Council will give the DSA operators a 125M loan at very low interest rates…..how on earth has a council got that sort of money to loan out? BFD council are selling land as they are 150M in the Red!

 

[Jerry]

.how on earth has a council got that sort of money to loan out?

They have borrowing powers so I expect they'll borrow it.

 

[gulftraveller]

For a legacy carrier, even on A321LR, if there is no cargo, you need strong premium loads. They are great on cost per seat mile, but that is not the whole story.

 

[Aviador]

For a legacy carrier, even on A321LR, if there is no cargo, you need strong premium loads. They are great on cost per seat mile, but that is not the whole story.

A split cabin with premium seats available is all that is required.

 

[mullion]

Sorry Aviador I cannot agree re cargo it is very important and Saudi Arabia is a very difficult market