Future Infrastructure Developments

[LeedsPilot]

Noticed that for this summer a second non-standard overnight parking position will be used at the end of taxiway N known as NP2. Last night the last arriving Jet2 B737-800 also parked on taxiway A behind stand 14 with a marshaller. Just wondering if this is going to be a regular occurrence too? Feels like the airport is beyond capacity overnight this summer, I personally thought that new stands were going to be constructed prior during the winter. That being said, Jet2 seem happy enough with the situation as I'm sure they get a good deal out of it, as does Bridgepoint who can delay investment.

 

[lbaspotter]

See the mobile crane is on site and in action again tonight at LBA. With regards the on-going Departure Lounge Extension works.

This picture was just taken by Kelly Chadwick‎ and is copyright protected and posted on here with her full consent.
View attachment 5195

 

[B737]

Taxiway parked position NP2 has been in existence for a few years. It was introduced around the time of AP1, AP2 and NP1. It is not new for this summer.

 

[LeedsPilot]

Taxiway parked position NP2 has been in existence for a few years. It was introduced around the time of AP1, AP2 and NP1. It is not new for this summer.

Well in that case it certainly wasn't used as regularly - AP1 was but I don't recall any others on a nightly basis. The point is we have 2 more night stopping aircraft this summer and looking like an additional one in 2018. Plus it's not exactly ideal having aircraft parked on taxiways - if any given airline wanted to base more a/c at LBA within a 6 month time-frame for example it's no longer possible. Does anybody know the next likely area for new stands or any given time scale for this is?

 

[White Heather]

Well in that case it certainly wasn't used as regularly - AP1 was but I don't recall any others on a nightly basis. The point is we have 2 more night stopping aircraft this summer and looking like an additional one in 2018. Plus it's not exactly ideal having aircraft parked on taxiways - if any given airline wanted to base more a/c at LBA within a 6 month time-frame for example it's no longer possible. Does anybody know the next likely area for new stands or any given time scale for this is?

The first batch of new stands are, according to the Masterplan, due to be in use by 2019, with more for the future. However, as I have posted on several occasions, LBA management have stated categorically that the stands can be built quickly, and will be if a situation arises whereby they are needed (ie: more aircraft than stands). Clearly, until now they have opted to utilise existing concrete on taxiways as a stop gap measure, but they know only too well that if they get the expansion they want, then the stands will be needed sooner rather than later. Other than during the night, many of our stands stand idle for long periods of the day, so this is an overnight issue only - but definitely one that needs to be addressed. Frankly, I think LBA are fed up with me nattering them about it - at just about every consultative committee meeting.

 

[lbaspotter]

Just seen this picture posted on Twitter from Watson Batty whom are constructing the Terminal Building Departure Lounge extension

Source: https://twitter.com/Watsonbatty/status/867770278461427713

Watson Batty‏ @Watsonbatty 6h6 hours ago
Sneak preview! Future view out over the airside apron - the 1st phase area concrete floor cast of @LBIAirport new extended departure lounge pic.twitter.com/i5lJGOrEDo

 

[B737]

View attachment 5254 View attachment 5253 A couple of photos taken before the concrete floor was poured. Also I think the new shop opens today.

 

[a300boy]

Departure / Arrival not working this morning on my computer ! Anyone know if BA are operating today ?

 

[jason1-11]

You have a A319 heading your way as we speak.

 

[tleeds]

Sports Bar is due to be completed within the next 7 days and scaffolding will begin to come down from the Downstairs Gates Area in depatures.

This should also see Cargo move back to its original space with an extension behind and into the old beginning of the Arrivals steps - as no more arrivals will be walked in from July period.

The contractors will then begin the process of sliding through another floor to fill the large void downstairs by old gates 4/5 now 8/9. It is now known there will be some small retail outlets around this new seating area where Gate 9 currently is upstairs.

Looking very impressive, and the new Fat Face store is open effective from late last week!

 

[tleeds]

Having spoken to Operations not so long ago, they were explaining that it would cost nearly £1.4m per stand that the airport wanted to build and he was pessimistic on it happening anytime soon.

He also said that LBA's and Jet2's agreement on them parking their aircraft on remote stands and towing them over closer to the terminal, after the first wave of KLM, Ryanair's and Monarch's etc, works very well and "they're good at it".

Multiflight (or whatever it is now) also charge something along the lines of £20,000 or something silly to leave a 75 over there for a given period of time! (Overnight).

 

[tleeds]

Sorry for the delay in an update on Developments up at the airport!

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Firstly Landside, the full demolision of the Swissport and other ticket desks has been completed swiftly and the airport are now in the process of laying the new floor down in this area where the desk once stood. It really does make a difference getting light throughtout Check-In Hall A and also along the concourse for passengers on their way through security. This area I'm assuming will be used as an overflow in busy periods for a queue system when security is highest utilised! (At the beginning of the May bank holidays the queue was reaching the main doors!).

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The old floor has subsequently been removed on nights and new underlay has been put down waiting for the new flooring to be introduced.

Airside things are changing too. The new method of bussing aircraft in is in full operation during the day now. It is physically impractical to walk flights in as the airport have already created a new gate next to Gate 4 (Airbridge 8).
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This will mean another change around of the temporary current gate numbers to include this new gate. This won't affect current Gates 1-4 (old 8, 9, 9a and 10) as I'm told the new gate will be Gate 5, and Gate 5 become Gate 6 etc. Jet2 are currently using this gate as the queue system can already be seen through the old staff corridor. This new gate walks down the old arrival stairs next to the new seating development and can access Lane 3 in the outer walkway (Old arrivals Lane). I've again been told this new gate will, in theory, utilise Stands 8-10, whilst the other gates are multi-use depending on demand.

View media item 5029The new concrete floor has been laid as previously mentioned and the roof on this area now being fitted. The current Gate 9 which currently utilises the upper area just to the right of this picture in the bigger building I'm also told will hold some small retail outlets, however the airport are still insistent this new seating area will be "free-seating" i.e. not adjoined onto any restaurant etc.

The new Saltaire bar kitchen is currently closed whilst it can be remodelled to accommodate the new seating it will hold. The plans are for the seating to go all the way around the front windows of the current Airport building, reaching all the way round to the new Fat Face outlet. The plans show it as a "Paper-Clip" shape.

Parts of the scaffolding downstairs in the main gate area are now being taken down slowly, as the new roof is fitted. View media item 5027View media item 5024
The Sports Bar has been a big loss to the airport and has been delayed against the developments elsewhere. It now has an opening date of later this month.

View media item 5020
Current Gate 3 has been filled in permanently to accommodate and extension to the kitchen and stock area for the Yorkshire Premier Lounge. Any arrivals that are walked in on a late night now have to use the outer corridor as seen in the above image. Duty Free, SSP and the YPL now have permanent access to deliveries and stock areas etc through the old staff lift which is situation behind the YPL meaning that deliveries no longer have to be trawled through the main terminal building.

On the whole, very positive changes happening at LBA for both the Passenger experience and Staff practicality! Just wish they weren't so behind!!

 

[lbaspotter]

It's All looking good. And a much needed upgrade of facilities up at LBA..

Once that roof is on that extension and the building is watertight I reckon things will move rapidly upstairs.

 

[White Heather]

Ultimately, how good the ceiling looks with polystyrene ceiling tiles is very much dependent upon the style - there are some really nice ones that look up-market, but at up-market prices. They are easily replaced and can also be spray painted to bring them back to pristine white again, but it is essential to keep the grid clean (often it is left to get dirty and go yellow) and the tiles have to be kept in good condition. So many end up with bits broken off or dirty finger prints on them following routine maintenance by operatives with dirty hands. It is up to the airport's own property management team to ensure that such issue are dealt with and if tiles are damaged/dirty during maintenance, they are replaced as 'snagging' by the contractor.

There is one major plus with these ceiling tiles in that they provide insulation, preventing heat loss. The slatted style illustrated above allows heat to escape up to the roof level meaning heating systems have to work harder to keep the temperatures at the required level - as does any air conditioning system. All that translates into additional running costs. As for water leaks - well clearly it is up to the airport to ensure that the roof, and internal pipework are maintained to prevent them although air conditioning units are among the worst culprits for water issues.

 

[White Heather]

I should think that those pics were based on architectural drawings and mock ups done on computer. Architects always like to push products that are seen as new ideas and at the time there was a fashion for having open ceilings with visible trunking, air con units etc. When it comes to actually doing the work though, it is often the case that costs go up, and some of the architectural 'niceties' are sacrificed for something more traditional that costs less to put in and saves money going forward. It is also important to bear in mind that suspended ceilings are always available and easily replaced - unlike fancy designs such as those illustrated which may be here today and no longer available tomorrow!

 

[B737]

The roof is slowly going on the new extension. The Sports Bar is now open and the reconfigured Saltaire Kitchen is back open serving hot food.View attachment 5369

 

[B737]

Sorry no photos of those, the Sports Bar is open but the ceiling above it is still to be finished and although the Saltaire Kitchen is open the extension to the seating area is still a work in progress and hidden behind hoardings.

 

[tleeds]

Here's some pictures of the terminal! Downstairs by the Sports Bar honestly feels like a different airport!

The new floor in departures where the seating is going to be is currently having its beams installed and as a result Gate 9 is currently out of use. Gate 9 and 10 are now the remote gates and gate 5 is now next door to Gate 4 (Airbridge 8). See image below also!

There is also a picture of the new roof as viewed from the apron.

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[B737]

The extended seating area for the Saltaire Bar and Restaurant is now open.View attachment 5425 View attachment 5426 View attachment 5427

 

[B737]

View attachment 5428 View attachment 5429 View attachment 5430 View attachment 5431 View attachment 5432 The roof is nearing completion on the new seating area and the steel have been put in to create the new floor. The old Cargo shop looks to be getting larger footprint. The downstairs area around the Sports Bar feels much bigger at the moment but I'm worried it may feel small again if they put a suspended ceiling back in.