Leeds Bradford: General Airport Discussion & Updates

[LBAYORKIE]

I just booked a ticket for Meanwood, anyone else joining me?

Here's the link to book tickets for Baildon and Meanwood.

Discover Leeds Bradford Airport Events & Activities in Manchester, United Kingdom | Eventbrite https://share.google/KURSNXICqXyoVprQw

Let us know if you have made the effort to go.

 

[Finger66]

I just booked a ticket for Meanwood, anyone else joining me?

Whilst I would love to get the chance to meet you @LBAYORKIE Mean wood is unfortunately a little too tricky for me. Looking seriously at the Baildon one though. Just got transport logistics to consider

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Whilst I would love to get the chance to meet you @LBAYORKIE Mean wood is unfortunately a little too tricky for me. Looking seriously at the Baildon one though. Just got transport logistics to consider

I can't make Baildon but @LBA4EVER has booked two tickets so hopefully you will meet him.

 

[Finger66]

Have already met @LBA4EVER on a previous couple of occasions so would be a third time. And @LBA4EVER that doesn't act as a deterrent for me 😜

 

[Statto]

Interesting development. AENA has bought a majority stake in LBA

https://www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk/the-latest/infrabridge

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Interesting development. AENA has bought a majority stake in LBA

https://www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk/the-latest/infrabridge

Hmmm, things seemed to be going well before this development. Im a bit concerned.

 

[White Heather]

Interesting development. AENA has bought a majority stake in LBA

https://www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk/the-latest/infrabridge

Well reading that, Aena seem confident in the airport's growth. I wonder if they know that in the case of LBA, traditionally it takes forever to get approval to do anything?

Still, its good that we now have a major airport operator with a majority shareholding, and Infrabridge, who have overseen major growth already , still there with 49%.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Well reading that, Aena seem confident in the airport's growth. I wonder if they know that in the case of LBA, traditionally it takes forever to get approval to do anything?

Still, its good that we now have a major airport operator with a majority shareholding, and Infrabridge, who have overseen major growth already , still there with 49%.

I would be much happier if Leeds was 51% Infrabridge. I suppose in future AENA will be influencing development and investment. Makes me wonder if they will appoint an AENA CEO.

I think we had a winning formula at LBA so you can understand my concern.

 

[White Heather]

I would be much happier if Leeds was 51% Infrabridge. I suppose in future AENA will be influencing development and investment. Makes me wonder if they will appoint an AENA CEO.

I think we had a winning formula at LBA so you can understand my concern.

I can, but Infrabridge, being an investment company, were always going to sell at some point. Its what they do. The fact that they have done so to the operator of most airports in Spain, where airport infrastructure is generally excellent, is far better than being sold to an operator who hasn't much experience. At least they haven't sold 51% to Fly Doncaster!

As for Vincent Hodder, I cant see them removing the best CEO we've had in a generation unless the time comes where he wants to move on. The reason the airport is of interest to AENA is because of what he, with Infrabridge backing has achieved. With a 49% stake Infrabridge are at least still in a position of major influence in decisions of that nature.

 

[HX3]

Aena have a proven track record in investment in their airports, so personally I see this new entity as a positive move. Hopefully Mr Hodder will still be at the helm and can lead the airport in an exciting future.

 

[Snackbar]

Interesting development. AENA has bought a majority stake in LBA

https://www.leedsbradfordairport.co.uk/the-latest/infrabridge

This is great news for LBA…..anybody who has used Spanish airports plus seen how Luton has developed under AENA can see what they will bring to LBA! Positive all round!

I can, but Infrabridge, being an investment company, were always going to sell at some point. Its what they do. The fact that they have done so to the operator of most airports in Spain, where airport infrastructure is generally excellent, is far better than being sold to an operator who hasn't much experience. At least they haven't sold 51% to Fly Doncaster!

As for Vincent Hodder, I cant see them removing the best CEO we've had in a generation unless the time comes where he wants to move on. The reason the airport is of interest to AENA is because of what he, with Infrabridge backing has achieved. With a 49% stake Infrabridge are at least still in a position of major influence in decisions of that nature.

Re FlyDSA….interesting the press release highlights the fact LBA is a “freehold airport”…..

 

[Statto]

Exactly. What has been the growth at LTN under AENAS involvement?
At the end of the day Infrabridge are not an airport operator they are an investment firm. Their strategy is to buy ‘assets’ they believe are undervalued, invest in them and then sell on for a profit. As was the case with Bridgepoint before (although in their case they bought at the worst possible time)
What Infrabridge cannot bring is the benefits of being part of a larger airport group; Think for a moment about the amount passengers Ryanair and EasyJet put through their airports and the size of those contracts for a start

 

[Snackbar]

Exactly. What has been the growth at LTN under AENAS involvement?
At the end of the day Infrabridge are not an airport operator they are an investment firm. Their strategy is to buy ‘assets’ they believe are undervalued, invest in them and then sell on for a profit. As was the case with Bridgepoint before (although in their case they bought at the worst possible time)
What Infrabridge cannot bring is the benefits of being part of a larger airport group; Think for a moment about the amount passengers Ryanair and EasyJet put through their airports and the size of those contracts

Under AENA LTN now has investment and approved plans to increase capacity from 19m passengers to 32m. Plus they have invested in the terminal and it’s services and delivered the Luton DART which now links the airport directly to the airport parkway station (something which would be a massive advantage at LBA if Brabin ever delivers a station,)…

As to growth a LTN - under AENA this has to gone from around 10m pa passengers to around 17m last year….

AENA with their experience and investment can only bring positives to LBA….

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Under AENA LTN now has investment and approved plans to increase capacity from 19m passengers to 32m. Plus they have invested in the terminal and it’s services and delivered the Luton DART which now links the airport directly to the airport parkway station (something which would be a massive advantage at LBA if Brabin ever delivers a station,)…

As to growth a LTN - under AENA this has to gone from around 10m pa passengers to around 17m last year….

AENA with their experience and investment can only bring positives to LBA….

Did they replace their CEO when AENA 'bought in'.

 

[Snackbar]

Did they replace their CEO when AENA 'bought in'.

No idea- but whatever they do it will be in the best interests of LBA! They will want to see a return on their cash and the only way to do that is to increase passenger numbers!

 

[Finger66]

Absolutely positive news - further growth now very much on the horizon

 

[Starflyer]

Unless the airport was visibly failing - and there's certainly no sign or signal of this being the case - then it's pretty unlikely that you'd buy a business and immediately throw out the CEO. If this is like most other sales of businesses, the key senior management team will have some form of lock-in to incentivise and keep them in post for a couple of years at least. After that, who knows - particularly if they have earned a decent chunk of share-related pay when the transaction happened, which could change your long-term view of work/life balance.

Personally I've been impressed with what AENA have done at Luton - it's a decent airport to fly from. Unlike the hell-hole which is Stansted.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Ive come across multiple take-overs of succesful businesses where the mantra was that nothings going to change, but inevitably it does, either key personnel are replaced or they simply decide they no longer fit in and leave.

We have had a very good run over the last few years under the leadership of VH, a period of expansion, investment and stabilisation following a number of personnel changes, instability and lack of investment.

This change brings with it uncertainty and whilst we cant judge whether or not it will be for the better or worse, it would have to be 'going some' to be an improvement.

All we can do is hope for the best.

 

[White Heather]

I've just had this from LBA.



I’m writing to inform you that Aena Internacional and InfraBridge have today announced an agreement under which Aena will acquire a majority stake in the holding company that owns Leeds Bradford Airport. This transaction reflects the strong performance of the airport, its long-term potential, and the confidence both shareholders have in LBA’s role as a key gateway for Yorkshire.



Operations at the airport continue as normal, and there is no change to our day-to-day activities. The completion of the transaction remains subject to the usual regulatory approvals.



LBA sees this as a highly positive development that positions LBA for further growth, continued investment and strengthened connectivity for the region. Aena brings deep expertise as one of the world’s leading airport operators, and InfraBridge remains a significant partner in the ownership structure.



I would be very happy to discuss the announcement with you at the forthcoming ACC meeting on 22nd Dec.



Charles

 

[oldendays]

Given Vince Hodder's considerable achievements at Leeds Bradford, it's not inconceivable that he is one reason for AENA's purchase. A condition of sale, so to speak.