Leeds Bradford: Airport Consultative Committee Questions & Responses

[pug]

There will become a point I guess where the number of A21Ns will far outweigh the B738s so it then becomes a matter for the LS bean counters to decide how long it's sensible to persist with a mixed fleet. Some 738s are as old as the 733s but the newer 738s are what say 10 years old so would suggest there is at least 10 years life in them if Jet2 still want to be operating a mixed fleet at that point. But they may have to consider A21Ns at LBA sooner if they want to continue to grow pax numbers. Or perhaps the 3 x A321 CEOs may come to LBA to die in the interim as they seem happy to operate those from here as back up

From what’s been and being said inside the official stance is that the 738’s will be around for a long time to come yet. This is of course subject to change. Yes the 300’s will be phased out over the next year or so and some if the 800s may go although at least one (which I believe may be an older model) will be converted to charter config.

 

[Snackbar]

My frustration stems primarily from seeing how much growth NCL is currently experiencing compared to that at LBA

NCL however does have MAN in its doorstep….. they operate in a totally different market.

 

[752]

To add to LBA's statement re easyJet "Easyjet have also taken action to remove marginal routes at non base airports including Leeds. Geneva will not operate this winter and both PMI and AGP are axed. " adding IOM/NQY GVA marginal route no?

What else has been axed it would be interesting to know.

I can not imagine NQY & IOM having a bigger ski market then Yorkshire and beyond.

The sh!te times easyJet gave already confirmed the routes failure.

 

[HX3]

IOM and Newquay to Geneva are niche and likely charge accordingly. There is no local competition on those routes, for IOM it would involve two flights if the easyjet flight didn’t exist, and for Newquay a treck to bristol, so they may not be marginal.

 

[Finger66]

LBA almost being a victim of Jet2's success. But as has already been said a base would ultimately have given better timings but we are where we are. It brings us back to "thank you Jet2 for believing in LBA in the first place" otherwise I don't know if we would be where we are today

 

[Aviador]

The sh!te times easyJet gave already confirmed the routes failure.

They will know this I expect.

LBA almost being a victim of Jet2's success. But as has already been said a base would ultimately have given better timings but we are where we are. It brings us back to "thank you Jet2 for believing in LBA in the first place" otherwise I don't know if we would be where we are today

So very true, and in all honesty it was Philip Meeson who believed in LBA. I do wonder if things will slip away from LBA now he is nolonger in the business 🤔

 

[gcoabc1]

Here is a summary of today's ACC. I have 4 pages of A4 notes, so this is very much a summary, or I will still be typing on this phone at midnight.

* Airspace Change Programme

LBA has finally got past stage 2 and has now started on phase 3. They are buying in the services of expert consultants 'Trax' at a cost of 750k to wade through the CAA process. Various options will now be whittled down to the final few then subjected to public consultation. Up to 6000 responses are likely. This will be mid to late 2027 with all phase 3 completion early 2028.

* Bus transfers/ Aircraft stand towing

A query was raised as to why aircraft are being moved off stand to remote stands after unloading and vice versa. This is to maximise the use of stands within walking distance of the terminal as both passengers and airlines prefer that. Vince Hodder stated that the day before the terminal extension opened, there were 92 bus transfers in 24 hours. The following day, using current procedures, there were just 6. He confirmed the transfer buses were operated by the airport and its staff, not by ground handling teams.

* LBA Regen

The red crane on site is removing old HVAC equpment and lifting new platforms and HVAC machinery etc into place.

Two new double size elevator pits have been created ready for the installation in due course.

The new World Duty Free area is now being fitted out by WDFs own contractors. Started 1st June. It us due to open Sept 2026.

The old Saltaire Bar is now completely removed. The new Montys Bar and Starbucks will go here.

Latest opening dates

Starbucks. July 2026
WH Smith. TBC
World Duty Free. Sept 2026
Montys Bar. .Sept 2026
Other retail units. May 2027
2nd WH Smith. June 2027
Upper Crust. May 2027
Juniper Bar. June 2027
New CSZ. Sept 2026
UK Border Force. May 2027
Domestic Baggage. Aug 2027
Int baggage comp. Sept 2027

* Aviation Report, Declan Maguire

Forecast pax throughput 2026/7 is 4.59m.
This is seen as good progress but less than previously expected due to the loss of some carriers and routes due to instability caused by rising aviation fuel prices and the impact on bookings.

Sun Express withdrew and consolidated via a reduced programme ex MAN due to fuel costs and their need to cut costs. I asked if this was a temporary suspension and if they would be back. Despite LBA having a large untapped market to Turkiye the current situation is that Sun Express will NOT be returning in the forseeable. As a result Declan is now holding discussions with other carriers. Think Hull City shirt sponsors.

Wizz Air and Easyjet were both said to be more exposed to the impact of the middle east war as theiy had not hedged fuel costs as far ahead aa Jet2 or Ryanair. Wizz have already made cuts at BHX and GLA and are considering their stategy out of the UK relative to Wizz Air Hungary and Malta. Apparently Wizz UK, based at LTN, are unlikely to be impacted. LBA are in regular discussions with them with a view to ensuring our routes are not lost but this is about UK ops generally.

Easyjet have also taken action to remove marginal routes at non base airports including Leeds. Geneva will not operate this winter and both PMI and AGP are axed. The loadings were acceptable but this is a cost saving measure. However, it was stated that in the longer term, there are still 'plans' for Easyjet at LBA. Until then, they will continue operating Belfast, Paris and Barcelona.

Ryanair seat capacity is up 9 5% on last year.

Jet2 new routes announced (see Jet2 thread)

KLM doing really well with the newly introduced E295 services and LBA will seek to have additional rotations in future.

TUi doing well with their flights to Palma, Corfu and Dubrovnik to connect with cruises.

Aurigny doing well.

Not mentioned but presume Aer Lingus/Emerald also doing well.

BA not interested in operating to LHR. They are not convinced the loadings on an A320 would justify it (they are phasing out the A319s)

Admitted this winter could prove to be a difficult time as many airlines reduce capacity due to rising ticket costs due to high aviation fuel costs.

* Fuel availability

No shortages for next month. Beyond that there is no clear picture, but nothing is known currently to suggest there will be any shortages irrespective of what goes on in the Strait of Hormuz. UK refineries have increased jet fuel refining from 10% to 30% of output, whilst greater imports are incoming, but supply and demand dictates high prices, translating to reduced demand, and airlines consolidating to reduce costs.

Business Update. Vince Hodder

Vince confirmed the May outcome relating to the night movement CLEUDs but that G***A have indicated an intention to seek a Judicial Review. They have until midnight today to do so and if so their case is against LCC.

The big news however is that if they do not seek the JR, LBA will be submitting a Planning Application to LCC by the end of July, with a view to sorting out the remaining night issues, ie:
- night time hours seeking 2330-0600
- a shift away from movement limits to average noise exposure with associated noise insulation schemes.

Both are in accordance with Government guidance.

If G***A do seek a JR, the planning application will be delayed until the outcome is known as it is based on the planning approval as confirmed by the CLEUD.

* Police

West Yorkshire Police are seeking to increase their charges by circa £1m with 24/7 cover and a resident police inspector, despite LBA being closed overnight in winter. Their claim is based on published charges imposed by LBA on non regular airlines, which are not charged to the airlines using LBA regularly. LBA are seeking discussions but these requests are being refused. LBA has therefore referred this dispute, which started in 2024, to the Dept for Transport. Their report on the issue is overdue. This has not, and will not, impact on policing at LBA.

* AENA

AENA completed the acquisition of 51% of LBA on 7th May. A new Board of Directors has been set up consisting of 5 x AENA, 2 x LBA and 2 x Infrabridge Capital. AENA said to be very good to work with and very focussed on LBA achieving all targets, both aviation and environmental. The first board meeting was yesterday, in London.

* Fire Evacuations

The new system is now operational and when a call point is activated, it is supposed to allow a 6 minute period to investigate and decide if a full evacuation is needed. Due to a programming issue this delay has not happened and a full evacuation was triggered 4 times in a week after call points were activated. The programming fault has, they are told, been identified and will be rectified. The call points were activated 3 times by passengers (not necessarily with malicious intent) and once by a contractor.

* Security Screening queues

The average queue time this summer is 10 minutes. Longer queues have only occurred as a result of equipment failures or other things going wrong.

* Airside seating.

More seating has recently been added and there will be more as and when works complete in the intended seating areas.

Thats all.

Just back from a few days away in the UK frying nicely. “Great report” and plenty for us to be enthused and interested about particularly the conclusion of the take over.
Everything else will and can only run it’s course.

 

[Finger66]

Just back from a few days away in the UK frying nicely.

Did you purposely post this being Fryday then @gcoabc1

 

[Speedbird1]

IOM and Newquay to Geneva are niche and likely charge accordingly. There is no local competition on those routes, for IOM it would involve two flights if the easyjet flight didn’t exist, and for Newquay a treck to bristol, so they may not be marginal.

Sorry but I disagree. These are two airports well under 1m pax with extremely small and limited catchments.

No disrespect to them but if we can’t perform better than these airports on a route with demand such as Geneva then there’s a bit of a problem.

I do wonder if there is more to this as like @752 says the messaging from easyJet/LBA doesn’t make sense when they are adding routes which are much more likely to be marginal? SOU doesn’t seem to have faced the same level of reductions either?

 

[HX3]

@Speedbird1 i agree we can and should perform better, but specific to Geneva a 6 week series with flight times that aren’t the best, are not going to compete with Jet2 frequency, or additional flights over the hill.
IOM and NQY have a more limited catchment, but with no competition, and the very fact that it is a destination that isn’t normally served from their airports makes them more appealing to that limited market- no doubt at a bit of a premium.
Easyjet at LBA is a no-brainier to me, but there may be more at play than we are aware of? I suppose time will tell.

 

[pug]

They will know this I expect.

So very true, and in all honesty it was Philip Meeson who believed in LBA. I do wonder if things will slip away from LBA now he is nolonger in the business 🤔

Unlikely by this point. PM and his colleagues identified LBA because it was a large catchment under a management who at the time had defended it from the low-cost MO. One of the attracting qualities was cheaper advertising believe it or not. It’s also been told to me by a few old timers who are now long since retired that when he revealed plans to start a low cost airline in Leeds to his Bournemouth staff he actually showed them The Hale and Pace Yorkshire Airlines sketch.

 

[White Heather]

I know you posted about the REGEN but are you able to elaborate on how things are progressing now?

Not really. I reported in what we were told. Not sure what else I can tell you.

 

[gcoabc1]

Did you purposely post this being Fryday then @gcoabc1

Just wanted to “chip in with my five penneth”.

 

[Aviador]

I'm not sure when the next ACC meeting is scheduled. I recall it was mentioned previously that a new CGI fly through for Phase 2 of REGEN would be too expensive to justify, but would it at least be possible to get a few more behind the scenes photos of the ongoing work instead?

 

[White Heather]

I'm not sure when the next ACC meeting is scheduled. I recall it was mentioned previously that a new CGI fly through for Phase 2 of REGEN would be too expensive to justify, but would it at least be possible to get a few more behind the scenes photos of the ongoing work instead?

I will ask if I can. The next meeting is in September.

 

[White Heather]

I'm not sure when the next ACC meeting is scheduled. I recall it was mentioned previously that a new CGI fly through for Phase 2 of REGEN would be too expensive to justify, but would it at least be possible to get a few more behind the scenes photos of the ongoing work instead?

I wrote this morning to ask if this could be done. Charles will look into it. He didnt say no, or yes. He wasn't sure if it was possible but I am pretty sure it is!

 

[Aviador]

Thank you.

I wrote this morning to ask if this could be done. Charles will look into it. He didnt say no, or yes. He wasn't sure if it was possible but I am pretty sure it is!

I am sure it will be appreciated be us all if they can.