Future Infrastructure Developments

[Finger66]

Bet it wasn't 42in wide either!

 

[LBA8098]

Any further updates re terminal extension situation? I assume WH is still awaiting a response?

 

[White Heather]

Any further updates re terminal extension situation? I assume WH is still awaiting a response?

White Heather now does have a response!

The terminal development has NOT been shelved for 12 months. Stage 4 design is all but complete but whilst it has been going on, LBA have been running modelling based on various scenarios to determine the likely passenger growth in each, and the results of these modelling exercises may bring about changes to make sure that the development meets LBA management's aspirations. The response isn't clear as to whether these changes are purely internal (eg additional baggage belts) or potentially external too. I have asked the question by return because any external change may require re-submission to planning and even further consultation, which would undoubtedly bring about delays if the changes are substantial.

As for the area being re-used again for parking, the ground works are now completed for the terminal extension and pending the actual construction starting on site, there is no reason not to put the area back into use for parking.

It would seem therefore that the RIBA Stage 4 design will provide LBA management with final design, costs, etc. and they will then consider all of this in conjunction with their growth modelling data to ensure that they don't build something that will be inadequate, prior to making the final decision to press ahead. At that point it would have to go out to tender and ultimately the winning contractor would need to spend quite some time with the architect and airport management to discuss the schedule of works, particularly those impacting on the existing terminal, agree those and once all agreed, order the materials required for construction. This is not based on anything said by my airport contact, but my own knowledge of building project management (as it was my job for a number of years).

If I get any further information I will provide it. Meanwhile I have suggested that the airport provides its supportive public with an update on the website in order to keep people informed.

 

[louis_walton]

Does anyone remember if a completion date/month was given when the extension was announced?

 

[Tarn Spotter]

Does anyone remember if a completion date/month was given when the extension was announced?

The only date you have to remember is that work must start within 3 years of gaining planning permission, unless you may have to reapply, unless you have a good reason.
You would think starting work in October would make sense.

 

[White Heather]

The only date you have to remember is that work must start within 3 years of gaining planning permission, unless you may have to reapply, unless you have a good reason.
You would think starting work in October would make sense.

That doesn't apply as they have already started (they did the ground works) and that counts for planning as the start of works. They did the same with the previous plan to do the crescent infill extension, so technically they can still do that in the future if they wish. As for the current extensions, they can now start when they want to. Hopefully that will be soon!

 

[LBA4EVER]

Just a quick question here..but was they not suppose to be a new terminal under construction now? Just what on earth is going on up there at LBA, it really does amaze me. you look at MAN with its 1billion expansion plans all currently under way but yet we cant even get this 12million quid project going! anyone have any knowledge?

 

[LBA8098]

The silence is deafening. An update by LBA on their website would be appreciated.

 

[White Heather]

I have answered this before! The ground works are done but the construction of the terminal building itself was not due to commence until the end of the summer season. During this period, the new CEO was wanting to appraise himself of the plans and makes sure they met his (and not the previous CEO's) requirements. There is a Consultative Committee Meeting due later this month so hopefully we will get an update at that as to what is happening and when.

 

[lbaspotter]

No need for a terminal extension now what with all the reduced capacity from when we was at peak 18-24 months ago

• Eastern Airways reduced from 2 to 1 based aircraft & dropped Aberdeen route.
• Monarch who went bust, losing 2 based aircraft overnight
• British Airways reduced Heathrow route from 21x weekly flights to just 10 weekly
• Thomas Cook stopped flights apart from a token weekly Tunisia flight.
• TUi dropped the based aircraft and left us with just 3x weekly flights to 2x destinations Corfu & Palma
• bmi went bust before even starting Munich route
• Ryanair axing 6x routes & reducing based aircraft from 3 to 2
• Jet2 reducing capacity by losing all Boeing 757 ops from LBA

I totally agree LBA management really do need to re-address the issues and lost capacity ASAP.

 

[Aviador]

You could argue that but lets not forget, had we had the additional capacity previously we would probably be in a better place now.

 

[LBA8098]

LBA is going backwards at present. Desperate times.

 

[LBA4EVER]

As per usuall its too late now,once again LBA had its chance but instead of getting on with it and sorting out the terminal, apron, (runway would be nice too) its got to a point where airlines are cutting routes and at this rate we wont require a new terminal. and whilst we waited patiently we had to endure some horrendous tv programme about LBA! bet you all now that terminal don't get built? crazy!

 

[Bigman]

Why don't we just add the words 'Lack of' to the thread title to make it more apt?

 

[Finger66]

Omg you have found the answer to the delay. They are clearly going to knock down the existing terminal, build a full length cross runway and build a new terminal building on the miniscule amount of space that remains. Joking aside, I agree waiting until October isn't going to now change things massively but any longer than that then we are right to be dubious

 

[lbaspotter]

What really annoys me most is the fact under AMP Capital ownership both Luton Airport and Newcastle Airport seem to be active in investing in new infrastructure, along with gaining new routes and airline operators.
I know its not just me who feels like this, but it just seems as if Leeds/Bradford Airport has stalled and is going nowhere at the moment. Its in a state of losing routes and airline operators whilst they are not getting on with the planned terminal building extension for which they already have being granted planning permission for by Leeds City Council.

It really begs the question as to why the is such a big difference between whats going on at both LTN & NCL when compered to LBA?

 

[LBA4EVER]

Its an absolute discrace of an airport LBA, Is anything ever ever going to happen there, any development whatso ever?? It really does p*** me off because I want my local airport to develop, even my folks say when they pass thru it "oh god do we have to travel thru that cramp hole again" I don't care what anyone says but we should have an airport with least 8-10million pax and a good modern terminal, airlines are pulling out because of this lack of infrastructure and like others have said on here all other airports are expanding with new routes,airlines eg LH munich at nlc, wizz at Donny, mass expansion at Manchester cos they have got it all right, even Cardiff gets Qatar! UTTER SHAM!

 

[LBA4EVER]

Even Liverpool is getting extra flights from wideroe-bergen and a new adria-

Ljubljana service and that's in just the last month. When did LBA announce a new route or airline apart from the odd new jet2 route? ​

 

[Jerry]

Donny is on its arse! When Wizz go the airport will be nothing.

Why would Wizz go? They keep expanding there and don't seem to be put off by Brexit, not to mention that it has a good cargo operation as well, so i'm sure it'll be fine.

 

[White Heather]

Its an absolute discrace of an airport LBA, Is anything ever ever going to happen there, any development whatso ever?? It really does p*** me off because I want my local airport to develop, even my folks say when they pass thru it "oh god do we have to travel thru that cramp hole again" I don't care what anyone says but we should have an airport with least 8-10million pax and a good modern terminal, airlines are pulling out because of this lack of infrastructure and like others have said on here all other airports are expanding with new routes,airlines eg LH munich at nlc, wizz at Donny, mass expansion at Manchester cos they have got it all right, even Cardiff gets Qatar! UTTER SHAM!

Fight2Win, name one airline that has pulled out of LBA because of lack of infrastructure! That is right! You cannot, because there hasn't been one. Ryanair are going back to 2 based aircraft as they did a few years ago in the winter months, (and we don't yet know if it is permanent or winter only, and it is nothing at all to do with LBA - it is clearly due to the delays with the 737 MAX delivery). TUi didn't either - they went because they cannot compete with Jet2 - and don't blame LBA management for that either. They had a long term contract with TUi, but they closed the base anyway as LBA was their worst performing airport in terms of passenger loads. Nothing at all to do with infrastructure. Monarch went bust - nothing to do with LBA who had just succeeded in getting a further contract, and increase to 3 based A320s. . FlyBMi went bust - nothing to do with LBA either, given they had never even flown from here and as I understand it, bookings were very strong. They had committed to setting up a hub at LBA with several new routes - if anything it was just plain bad luck for LBA who had put a lot of hard work into getting them to commit to the airport.

Fight2win, I admire your desire to see LBA expand - nobody on here feels that any more than I do, but you really need to have a serious think about what you are claiming. You mention more Wizz routes at DSA - but they are also losing their Flybe base is closing at the end of the summer and they will have just a handful of Dash 8 flights each week. Their passenger figures will go down. Passenger numbers are way below LBA already, as are those at Cardiff. And they are likely to stay that way. It is disappointing that Ryanair are reducing their base but the hysteria and howls of disapproval towards the airport (rather than the airline, or perhaps Boeing) is ridiculous.[/QUOTE]