Future Infrastructure Developments

[lbia]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Hearing rumours at work, what the Phase 2 plan would include is to simply construct a permanent building over the temporary structure of Hall B, meaning new desks and baggage systems are not required and the area can remain operational. Phase 2 would also include tidying up to the left of the terminal towards stand 9/10 and creating an extension further down to the start of stand 10. All rumours but would make sense.

 

[wawkrk]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

I prefer walking out to the aircraft rather than using an airbridge, had to do it Tuesday for flight to Dublin. It's great to be right up next to them you get a true sense of the size of the things, and get great photos too!

I cannot agree with the above comment. On a cold winters morning walking out to the aircraft at 5.30 am in driving rain only to find you have to queue up the steps. Climbing into your seat in a freezing cold aircraft soaked through to the skin. I have done this several times.
If air-bridges are not going to be used because of the cost, then the passenger experience will be very poor. The climate in the UK is terrible and there has to be another solution.As we all know, sometimes you have to walk quite some distance to the stand.
I think this is very primitive.

 

[White Heather]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

The solution is there already but not used enough - buses. The airport bought new buses a few years ago, but they do not seem to use them for the shorter walks. It is OK walking a couple of hundred yards on a nice summers day, but in the weather wawkrk describes, you should be bussed there. Nobody should have to get into the aircraft already cold and wet when there are buses. I suspect though that at peak times, particularly around 7am, there are so many departures that there are not enough buses to serve all the aircraft and they concentrate on those on the more distant stands.

The alternative is a covered walkway all the way across the apron so that passengers can remain under cover until they are at least directly in front of the aircraft - something that has been requested many times at the Consultative Committee meeting, but so far not taken on board, certainly for Phase 1.

 

[wawkrk]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Ok buses of a sort, but these shoppers specials are are not modern airside buses like the Cobus fleet here in Krakow.
The Cobus has very few seats and is extra wide. I reckon they hold at least 100 pax.At LBA you need a lot of standard road buses to fill a 757 so their use is avoided if possible. Everything is just so inefficient and has been for yonks.Yorkshire folk just accept this as normal.I use a lot of different airports, some smaller than LBA but LBA tops the list for ongoing dismal performance.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

I quite like walking out to the aircraft but I take wawkrk's point about the weather often not being favourable.

Do I take it that LBA has no Cobus-type vehicles? If so, I'm very surprised given JP's and TH's presence.

Bristol had a fleet of the Cobus 3000 vehicles with two being able to service a full 738 and three a 757.

Now a covered walkway at first floor level to the distant western apron has been constructed the need for buses has largely but not completely disappeared.

However, there have been a lot of complaints from passengers having to walk over 400 metres from the main terminal to the far end of the western apron via the new walkway.

The nearer eastern apron is accessed partly by ground floor covered walkways but these are draughty and subject of passenger complaints in inclement weather. A few of the distant stands on the eastern apron are still bus served.

JP and TH certainly will know what will work and not work at an airport like LBA given its many similarities to BRS.

 

[Runway 32]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Unfortunetly the use of air bridges is often down to the individual airlines. Low cost carriers are well known not for liking to use air bridges because of the length of time it adds to the turn around of the aircraft. Now that LBA has Jet 2, Ryanair, Flybe and Easyjet I really see that there is little need for more air bridges.

 

[dmrodgers]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Having flown out this morning to Malaga on LS185 (G-LSAB) someone has to make the decision quick to instigate the terminal redevelopment. Fortunately I use the airport regularily so know what to expect, but we run the risk of driving first time customers away to other airports if todays experience is anything to go by. I know weekend mornings are the busiest period but do the airport bosses really expect passengers to have to stand around blocking areas as we do not have enough seats and lounge space. This was October, not July or August when it's the peak of the summer season. The terminal was crowded and if this was my first experience of flying from LBA it would be my last. Come on get the work started before passengers vote with their feet and use other airports who can offer a much better customer experience.

 

[WYIA]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Sunday was a busy morning and a cold one at that. I believe you got De-iced dmrodgers.

Pax had to be sent by bus to PH-OFN KLM on Stand13. Departed only 5 minutes late, but i think a coverd & heated walkway is a good idea & a low cost one in the short term. Nicer for both pax & crew.

 

[White Heather]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

dmrodgers - I am certain that the airport are fully aware of the problems and the solution, and I have tried to explain several times why it may be that the terminal work has not yet started. However, I would suggest that whilst your post on here is of interest to us all, we are not able to do anything directly about it (although I am always raising this at Consultative Committee meetings). I would suggest therefore that you send your observations by letter to the Airport MD for his attention. I know he always claims to welcome customer observations and has in fact complained that he can't answer queries or deal with complaints if they are not sent to him. You never know, you might even get an informative reply!

 

[dmrodgers]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

White Heather, will send a full comprehensive report to the Airport MD and if I do manage to get a reply will copy everyone in. David

 

[User0001]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

You'll get a very quick reply if you email. When I've given feedback, he has been very responsive and courteous.
Address is

[email protected]

 

[Aviador]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Still no word yet officially but I heard today that the airport has got the green light to commence the terminal extension work this winter. I do hope this is true but I wont be holding my breath.

...we eagerly await an announcement!

 

[lbaspotter]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Hi

This notice has just appeared from no where on the Airport Coordination Limited (ACL) website in the last week. http://www.acl-uk.org/default.aspx?id=113

It looks like LBA will have night time curfew afterall this winter as there is planned Runway Closure in force starting from this evening for essential maintenance work.

Planned Closures for Maintenance

There is a planned runway closure for the period 01November 2010 to 01 February 2011 for essential maintenance work, seven days of the week, from 23:00L until 04:59L.
The works start on the night of 31October and the closure is effective from 00:00 01November 2010.

Any slots currently held will be honoured.

Anyone have a clue what there doing this year on the runway? I'm guessing that it must be more concret hole filling or maybe a lighting upgrade of some kind.

 

[lbaspotter]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Hi

I dont really know if this is really the right thread to ask this next question. But seen that’s it’s about part of the airports Infrastructure it seems a logical place to post.

Dose anyone know if the airport has its snow clearing/brushing vehicles ready for action and also has any new equipment been bought to replace any of the current ageing fleet? I know there where rumours last winter that new vehicles where to be purchased..

I only ask this as it looks like we might be getting up to 20cm of snow-fall by end off this week. Well Thursday night into Friday morning if the weather forecast is any thing to go by...

 

[WYIA]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Well for over a week now, snow plows, brushes and spray trucks have been parked out on the ramp. already for action... i didnt not any new equipment. I do think Servisair have 2 de-icing rigs for this winter

 

[Aviador]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Leeds Leaders Hopes For 2011
Deborah Green is chief executive of Marketing Leeds, the organisation charged with marketing Leeds nationally and internationally. She is optimistic about the city's future in 2011.
"There are great things planned for our city in the next year. The retail sector continues to thrive with almost £1billion being invested in the city through the highly anticipated Trinity Leeds development, scheduled to open in 2012, and the planned Eastgate quarters. These projects demonstrate a deserved confidence in the city's future.
"While Leeds is already the UK's largest centre for legal, financial and professional services outside London, 2011 looks set to be a great year for other emerging industries, such as healthcare technology and the digital sector. Leeds Bradford Airport will also commence work building a new terminal, which is set to bring in to the city further international investment."It's also an exciting time for the cultural sector in Leeds with a range of events and festivals taking place that will raise our international profile. The new centre for Northern Ballet Theatre and Phoenix Dance Theatre dance was completed in August 2010 and officially opens in January 2011. I am also incredibly excited that in March 2011, Kirkstall Abbey will play host to a spectacular live BBC TV event - Frankenstein's Wedding…Live in Leeds. There's also a new Henry Moore exhibition at Leeds Art Gallery to look forward to in Spring. Leeds will be the only venue outside London to host this prestigious collection – and admission is free!
"Let's not forget, too, that work will start in 2011 on the multi million pound Leeds Arena, which will add £25million to the local economy and create just over 300 new jobs, whilst further adding to the attraction of Leeds as a leisure destination.
"The coming together of the city's marketing support services and functions in 2011 also presents an exciting opportunity to further enhance the profile and prosperity of our great city.

Read the full article here

Glimmer of hope or wishful thinking? I wish the airport would at least put us in the picture instead of keeping us in the dark.

 

[Aviador]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

The airport is to further extend the long-stay car park offering. It is believed the new on-site long stay carpark will be operated by an outside company.

(Still no word of any work starting on the Terminal :nea: )

 

[Aviador]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Work has begun on the new long stay car park located close to taxiway Delta.

 

[rmac]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Hotel:
many years ago I recall that plans were being made for a 4* Hotel to be built opposite the terminal building. I know the Travelodge is now operating but it seems strange that back then with about 1million pasengers per year it was on the drawing board but now with nearly 3 million nothing seems to be planned for a larger 3* or 4* Star hotel. Or maybe I am wrong..... perhaps there is something for the future. Many airports, some smaller than LBA have such hotels, within a short distance of the terminal.

 

[White Heather]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

True, but it isn't the airport that builds the hotel, it is the hotel chain, and they have to want to build it and the land has to be made available to do so too. I am sure LBA would like very much for a decent and large enough hotel to be built on airport land at some point. For now, there are several hotels nearby which proclaim themselves to be airport hotels, such as the Britannia at Bramhope (5 minutes by car) and Parkway at Lawnswood (10 minutes) and Weetwood Hall +The Village at West Park (15 minutes) plus the Chevin Lodge (5 minutes), so it is not as though there are no hotels serving the airport that are close by. Including the Travel Lodge, LBA has 6 hotels within a 15 minute drive. I agree though that a 'proper' hotel is needed next to the airport itself.