Airport Consultative Committee [Questions & Responses]

LBAYORKIE said:

If you don't go I will report back from the ACC on any significant news.

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1. Apologies

1. AENA: The airport's current owner Infrabridge has agreed to form a holding company with AENA. Infrabridge will have a 49% stake and AENA 51% stake. This is subject to all the usual regulatory approvals but it is expected everything will be finalised within six months. AENA are the largest airport operator in the world (by passengers) and bring with them particular expertise in airside and passenger handling plus the availability of additional capital to help the airport grow. A board of directors including some from AENA will be formed. There will be no staff changes at the airport in the short to medium term. Whilst the new company is 'bedding in' some capex has been paused (see also AOB)

1. Mobile Noise Monitoring: The airport now has 3 mobile noise monitoring stations. These are being deployed in the gardens of people who have raised specific noise concerns at the community meetings. One was placed in a garden in the west of Otley. This individual was certain that since Covid aircraft were deviating from their usual take-off path and, in addition had become noisier. The airport were able to confirm that changes in the flight path had not taken place and the noise monitoring equipment had recorded, over a period of three months, decibel levels well within those permitted. A new site has been identified in Low Lane at Horsforth and equipment will be installed there next year. It was also mentioned that a permanent monitoring station will be installed on Outwood Lane in Horsforth, this will replace one previously in the same area which was no longer functioning.

1. UKACC Annual Meeting debrief: This is the organisation that represents and lobbies for most UK airports. The most common complaint from airports was the lack of government money made available for infrastructure. All airports now have very good ratings for the handling of Persons of Reduced mobility. The UKACC scores its members annually and LBA is one of the top performers, in fact it is rated as excellent in all areas but one- not fixing meeting dates far enough in advance!

1. UKACC Practical Guide: This sets out the responsibilities and M.O. For ACC Committees. This had been circulated to all members, but due to a glitch not all had received it. It will be re-circulated and discussed further at the next meeting. Notwithstanding this the Chairman gave a summary.

1. LBA-Regen: Phase one is now complete. Phase two has been underway for roughly 6 months. Various images of works in progress were shown. The whole of the old terminal interior has been stripped. There have been issues that have slowed the works, the sheer quantity of wiring has been one of them, tracing where it goes and if it is redundant or not. Additionally there have been problems securing fire retardant material to the 'Chipcrete' beams that form part of the structure of the building. These delays mean the expected completion date is now early 2027. However, it is anticipated that the central screening area (the old baggage hall) will be functional for Summer 2026. The two new stands are still undergoing testing.

1. 7. AOB: I asked questions about the building of new stands and the pending section 73 application to LCC. Regarding the former was advised the two new stands planned for this winter are subject to the six month (or so) Capex hold mentioned previously. The Section 73 application was not processed in a timely manner by LCC and as a result their response was only received last week. This needs to be digested before a decision on how to proceed is arrived at. The three options being to a) continue as now with LBA's interpretation of the quota arrangements b) submit a full Section 73 application or c) submit a new CLEUD application.

LBAYORKIE said:

This is my report on todays ACC. Not up to WH's standards- but I hope you find it informative.

The CEO, Vince Hodder wasn't in attendance and nor were any of executive, so no 'big news'

1. Apologies

1. AENA: The airport's current owner Infrabridge has agreed to form a holding company with AENA. Infrabridge will have a 49% stake and AENA 51% stake. This is subject to all the usual regulatory approvals but it is expected everything will be finalised within six months. AENA are the largest airport operator in the world (by passengers) and bring with them particular expertise in airside and passenger handling plus the availability of additional capital to help the airport grow. A board of directors including some from AENA will be formed. There will be no staff changes at the airport in the short to medium term. Whilst the new company is 'bedding in' some capex has been paused (see also AOB)

1. Mobile Noise Monitoring: The airport now has 3 mobile noise monitoring stations. These are being deployed in the gardens of people who have raised specific noise concerns at the community meetings. One was placed in a garden in the west of Otley. This individual was certain that since Covid aircraft were deviating from their usual take-off path and, in addition had become noisier. The airport were able to confirm that changes in the flight path had not taken place and the noise monitoring equipment had recorded, over a period of three months, decibel levels well within those permitted. A new site has been identified in Low Lane at Horsforth and equipment will be installed there next year. It was also mentioned that a permanent monitoring station will be installed on Outwood Lane in Horsforth, this will replace one previously in the same area which was no longer functioning.

1. UKACC Annual Meeting debrief: This is the organisation that represents and lobbies for most UK airports. The most common complaint from airports was the lack of government money made available for infrastructure. All airports now have very good ratings for the handling of Persons of Reduced mobility. The UKACC scores its members annually and LBA is one of the top performers, in fact it is rated as excellent in all areas but one- not fixing meeting dates far enough in advance!

1. UKACC Practical Guide: This sets out the responsibilities and M.O. For ACC Committees. This had been circulated to all members, but due to a glitch not all had received it. It will be re-circulated and discussed further at the next meeting. Notwithstanding this the Chairman gave a summary.

1. LBA-Regen: Phase one is now complete. Phase two has been underway for roughly 6 months. Various images of works in progress were shown. The whole of the old terminal interior has been stripped. There have been issues that have slowed the works, the sheer quantity of wiring has been one of them, tracing where it goes and if it is redundant or not. Additionally there have been problems securing fire retardant material to the 'Chipcrete' beams that form part of the structure of the building. These delays mean the expected completion date is now early 2027. However, it is anticipated that the central screening area (the old baggage hall) will be functional for Summer 2026. The two new stands are still undergoing testing.

1. 7. AOB: I asked questions about the building of new stands and the pending section 73 application to LCC. Regarding the former was advised the two new stands planned for this winter are subject to the six month (or so) Capex hold mentioned previously. The Section 73 application was not processed in a timely manner by LCC and as a result their response was only received last week. This needs to be digested before a decision on how to proceed is arrived at. The three options being to a) continue as now with LBA's interpretation of the quota arrangements b) submit a full Section 73 application or c) submit a new CLEUD application.

    I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

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White Heather said:

Today was the latest ACC meeting, so here is a summary of the key points discussed, which in the absence of Vince Hodder, perhaps were not quite as revealing in certain areas as is usual. Nevertheless, hopefully you will find something of interest.

* CLEUDs

The latest CLEUD application is now being examined by Leeds Planning. The NIMBY group have stuck their oar in as usual, by attempting to dispute certain aircraft had the claimed Quota Counts (QCs). LBA will be issuing their response and a final decision is expected in around a month.

To clarify how LBA got here.....

- as per S78 of the Town and Country Planning Act, where there is a breach in planning approval for more than 10 years with no enforcement action taken by the planning authority, that breach is no longer enforceable.

- the original CLEUD application was rejected and LBA appealed. The appeal was heard by a planning inspector in summer 2025.

- LBA interpreted the 1993 planning approval to mean that only QC0.5 and higher aircraft were permitted to operate at LBA during night time hours (2300-0700). These are the older, noisier types. (B737 300, B737 800, A319, A329, A321, E175/190 etc. Therefore, the newer, significantly quieter aircraft falling under QC0 25, QC0.125 and QC0, are technically banned (737 MAX, A320/1 NEO, E195-200 etc). Clearly ridiculous! However, the planning inspector confirmed this to be the correct interpretation.

The original CLEUD was based purely on QC0.25 aircraft breaching the planning approval between 01 January 2010 and 31 December 2019. There were 6 short gaps of over 30 days in the evidence submitted, which the inspector considered to be an unacceptable break in evidence and resultantly, the CLEUD appeal was dismissed. However, he also confirmed that ALL aircraft types with decibel levels below 87EPnD were banned. LBA had not sought to include these in their submitted evidence, focussing only on the main QC0.25 types.

The current CLEUD now includes all banned aircraft ie QC0.25, QC0.125 and QC0. By including the latter two, evidence which filled in the 6 gaps was found and there are now inly 2 short gaps of 5 days across the 10 year period, which based on the inspectors findings, should not be sufficient to be considered a break in evidence.

LBA do have a plan B and C should the CLEUD be refused but would not give details.

My comment......

The current situation, if enforced, would :
- prevent the operation of Ryanair 737 MAX or Wizz A321 NEO, or Jet2 A321 Neo types between 2300 and 0700.

- ensure only older, noisier aircraft operated at night, causing a greater noise issue around LBA ,

- prevent airlines from investing in newer types at LBA

- in time, as older types are retired and replaced with QC0.25/0.125/0 types, the number of night flights at LBA would reduce and eventually disappear, along with the based fleets operating them, the passengers and hundreds of jobs.

This seems to be the aim of they who shall not be named.

* LBA Regen

Delayed significantly by the discovery of large areas of a 1960s building material called chipcrete, similar to breezeblock. It has been necessary to find a way to fireproof this, and all internal steel beams, to todays standards. This has proved timeconsuming and expensive. A false soffit is now required with fire stopping between the original chipcrete and new soffit. The project budget has been 'adjusted'.

Now making good progress but 18 months away from full completion.

An enlarged WH Smith store will be introduced, selling pharmaceuticals too, replacing the current Boots store. Thete will be a second, smaller WH Smith which will actually open first.

Opening outlet schedule:
Starbucks. 6/26
WH Smith #2. 6/26
World Duty Free. 9/26
Montys Bar. 9/26
Addl units. 5/27
WH Smith #1. 6/27
Upper Crust. 7/27
Junipers Bar. 7/27

Airport facilities schedule

Gate 5. 9/26
Central Screening Zone. 9/26
Gate 6. 11/26
Customs complete. 5/27
Domestic baggage reclaim 8/27
Int. Baggage Reclaim comp. 9/27

Possibly a 24/7 landside store to come.

Due to costs it now seems unlikely LBA will commission a fly through video.

LBA will have to wait another 6 months before liquids exceeding 100ml will be permitted. They are waiting for the scanners to be certified as are other airports with the same scanners. Only airports equipped with Smiths scanners can allow 100ml+ as those were the first type to be certified.

* Airspace Redesign

Stage 2 was passed in February and consultants now designing Stage 3 requirements. The DofT have set up the Airspace Design Support Fund , allowing airports to claim back costs associated with this exercise.

* Business update

AENA 51% sale progressing through legal checks and should complete May 26. Described as great news for LBA.

2025/6 pasdenger throughput will be approx. 4,450,000. A new LBA record. 2026/7 expected is 4,700 000, but this doesn't take into account the Iran war and its implications.

Still in talks with Loganair and BA regarding a LHR service.

Easyjet up 30%.

KLM introducing regular Embraer 195-200 aircraft with 135 seats on sime AMS rotations.

LBA in regular discussions with the WYCA and our esteemed mayor. Will be submitting a strategic paper seeking an LBA mass transport connection in phase 2 to both Leeds and Bradford, essentially a northern loop with LBA the half way point.

The Parkway Station has been shortlisted by WYCA for delivery, but so far the budget or timescales have not been revealed. Cllr Campbell (Leeds CC) stated that Leeds City Council are frustrated at the time being taken by WYCA to progress this scheme.

Regular discussions with the WYCA and Transdev to improve bus services and ideally introduce express airport services are being held back by franchising. Transdev will not make any decisions until the franchising outcome for the first phase (impacting LBA) is known. Due April 2027.

It is abundantly clear that LBA are frustrated by the time taken to wade through WYCA beaurocracy and to convince the mayor why LBA should be a priority for mass transport and transport links in general.

That's all folks. I need a drink now and have numb finger syndrome from typing
this lot on my phone!

Click to expand...

White Heather said:

Today was the latest ACC meeting, so here is a summary of the key points discussed, which in the absence of Vince Hodder, perhaps were not quite as revealing in certain areas as is usual. Nevertheless, hopefully you will find something of interest.

* CLEUDs

The latest CLEUD application is now being examined by Leeds Planning. The NIMBY group have stuck their oar in as usual, by attempting to dispute certain aircraft had the claimed Quota Counts (QCs). LBA will be issuing their response and a final decision is expected in around a month.

To clarify how LBA got here.....

- as per S78 of the Town and Country Planning Act, where there is a breach in planning approval for more than 10 years with no enforcement action taken by the planning authority, that breach is no longer enforceable.

- the original CLEUD application was rejected and LBA appealed. The appeal was heard by a planning inspector in summer 2025.

- LBA interpreted the 1993 planning approval to mean that only QC0.5 and higher aircraft were permitted to operate at LBA during night time hours (2300-0700). These are the older, noisier types. (B737 300, B737 800, A319, A329, A321, E175/190 etc. Therefore, the newer, significantly quieter aircraft falling under QC0 25, QC0.125 and QC0, are technically banned (737 MAX, A320/1 NEO, E195-200 etc). Clearly ridiculous! However, the planning inspector confirmed this to be the correct interpretation.

The original CLEUD was based purely on QC0.25 aircraft breaching the planning approval between 01 January 2010 and 31 December 2019. There were 6 short gaps of over 30 days in the evidence submitted, which the inspector considered to be an unacceptable break in evidence and resultantly, the CLEUD appeal was dismissed. However, he also confirmed that ALL aircraft types with decibel levels below 87EPnD were banned. LBA had not sought to include these in their submitted evidence, focussing only on the main QC0.25 types.

The current CLEUD now includes all banned aircraft ie QC0.25, QC0.125 and QC0. By including the latter two, evidence which filled in the 6 gaps was found and there are now inly 2 short gaps of 5 days across the 10 year period, which based on the inspectors findings, should not be sufficient to be considered a break in evidence.

LBA do have a plan B and C should the CLEUD be refused but would not give details.

My comment......

The current situation, if enforced, would :
- prevent the operation of Ryanair 737 MAX or Wizz A321 NEO, or Jet2 A321 Neo types between 2300 and 0700.

- ensure only older, noisier aircraft operated at night, causing a greater noise issue around LBA ,

- prevent airlines from investing in newer types at LBA

- in time, as older types are retired and replaced with QC0.25/0.125/0 types, the number of night flights at LBA would reduce and eventually disappear, along with the based fleets operating them, the passengers and hundreds of jobs.

This seems to be the aim of they who shall not be named.

* LBA Regen

Delayed significantly by the discovery of large areas of a 1960s building material called chipcrete, similar to breezeblock. It has been necessary to find a way to fireproof this, and all internal steel beams, to todays standards. This has proved timeconsuming and expensive. A false soffit is now required with fire stopping between the original chipcrete and new soffit. The project budget has been 'adjusted'.

Now making good progress but 18 months away from full completion.

An enlarged WH Smith store will be introduced, selling pharmaceuticals too, replacing the current Boots store. Thete will be a second, smaller WH Smith which will actually open first.

Opening outlet schedule:
Starbucks. 6/26
WH Smith #2. 6/26
World Duty Free. 9/26
Montys Bar. 9/26
Addl units. 5/27
WH Smith #1. 6/27
Upper Crust. 7/27
Junipers Bar. 7/27

Airport facilities schedule

Gate 5. 9/26
Central Screening Zone. 9/26
Gate 6. 11/26
Customs complete. 5/27
Domestic baggage reclaim 8/27
Int. Baggage Reclaim comp. 9/27

Possibly a 24/7 landside store to come.

Due to costs it now seems unlikely LBA will commission a fly through video.

LBA will have to wait another 6 months before liquids exceeding 100ml will be permitted. They are waiting for the scanners to be certified as are other airports with the same scanners. Only airports equipped with Smiths scanners can allow 100ml+ as those were the first type to be certified.

* Airspace Redesign

Stage 2 was passed in February and consultants now designing Stage 3 requirements. The DofT have set up the Airspace Design Support Fund , allowing airports to claim back costs associated with this exercise.

* Business update

AENA 51% sale progressing through legal checks and should complete May 26. Described as great news for LBA.

2025/6 pasdenger throughput will be approx. 4,450,000. A new LBA record. 2026/7 expected is 4,700 000, but this doesn't take into account the Iran war and its implications.

Still in talks with Loganair and BA regarding a LHR service.

Easyjet up 30%.

KLM introducing regular Embraer 195-200 aircraft with 135 seats on some AMS rotations.

LBA in regular discussions with the WYCA and our esteemed mayor. Will be submitting a strategic paper seeking an LBA mass transport connection in phase 2 to both Leeds and Bradford, essentially a northern loop with LBA the half way point.

The Parkway Station has been shortlisted by WYCA for delivery, but so far the budget or timescales have not been revealed. Cllr Campbell (Leeds CC) stated that Leeds City Council are frustrated at the time being taken by WYCA to progress this scheme.

Regular discussions with the WYCA and Transdev to improve bus services and ideally introduce express airport services are being held back by franchising. Transdev will not make any decisions until the franchising outcome for the first phase (impacting LBA) is known. Due April 2027.

It is abundantly clear that LBA are frustrated by the time taken to wade through WYCA beaurocracy and to convince the mayor why LBA should be a priority for mass transport and transport links in general.

That's all folks. I need a drink now and have numb finger syndrome from typing
this lot on my phone!

Click to expand...