Future Infrastructure Developments

[User0001]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

From an interview with the T&A yesterday with John Parkin. Some people have hoped the airport would put out a statement about delays to the terminal development. This might be as close as you get....

"We have to recognise that the economic conditions in the UK have slowed growth everywhere. Airports are no exception to that although we are growing in passenger numbers against that trend. But even so, we've had three years of a pretty soft market overall and you don't take £28m decisions without understanding the context of the right timing"

There is nothing in terms of a start date, although in the words of the reporter "A £28m terminal improvement and expansion project has already begun with another phase starting soon"

The next meeting of the airports consultative committee is scheduled for next week (Thursday I believe) so that might bring more clarity.

 

[lbia]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Nothing will happen to the terminal this year. The airport is struggling as it is and unless there is a major commitment from an airline the terminal will never get developed. I've said it a hundred times but a bunch of cowboys bought LBA and it will never flourish like it should if a proper company with proper financial backing had bought it.

 

[White Heather]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

lbia, those cowboys bought Birmingham International Airport and transformed it into what it is today, and I fail to see how you can claim the airport is struggling when it has done rather better than virtually every other airport in terms of passenger number increases this year. A 32% increase in January alone.
If the terminal will 'never get developed', why have Bridgepoint spent a 7 figure sum on getting a design through planning and at the same time opened themselves up to having to meet public transport travel targets and contributions to road schemes in the area.
I know you are not impressed with Bridgepoint, and even I feel frustrated at the delays, but I can't help but think that your dislike of them is starting to cloud your judgement, as there is no way Bridgepoint can be described as a bunch of cowboys. Have you ever read their web site and seen what they own??

 

[lbia]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

The airport ** struggling financially! All air traffic have had a pay cut and jobs are going in ASU. The airport is functioning on skeleton staff already, the runway is becoming a worsening issue and I won't even get started in the holes that keep appearing on taxiway November, delta and alpha! Have you seen the latest bodge job upstairs in departures? They have replaced a section of the thread bare carpet at the top of the escalator with a horrendous blue thing which is completely different pattern to the rest. The place just stinks of cheap, shite-ness!
The airport won't pay for an extra member of staff to help with the wheelchairs, and it simply cannot be done in summer with three. As a result Interserve have caused major delays due to lack of staff - and have just announces they are pulling out of LBA.

Until you see the REAL ********** and not the crap they spout at the consultative meetings and in the press releases. How many more times can we see '£28m terminal development starting soon' .... Been seeing that for 3 years now....

Edited by Aviador

 

[Aviador]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

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[pilot_737]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

The airport won't pay for an extra member of staff to help with the wheelchairs, and it simply cannot be done in summer with three. As a result Interserve have caused major delays due to lack of staff - and have just announces they are pulling out of LBA.

Shouldn't it be Interserve themselves and not the airport doing the hiring for their business?!

 

[wawkrk]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

If the terminal upgrade cannot be afforded at this time, you would think that at least they could carry out more repairs to the crumbling facilities.It really is a scruffy mess which is providing a deteriorating level of customer experience.

 

[White Heather]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

I agree completely wawkrk - either do the terminal or sort out what is there now, but nobody within the industry spends money tarting up what is there if it is shortly to undergo complete refurbishment, so hopefully that is the reason for the penny pinching currently evident.

 

[wawkrk]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

My impression regarding the new terminal is, that work will not start until the airport becomes busier.
If it is not started this year, then when would it be operational?
I think it could be 2013 - 2014, if this is the case, I cannot imagine what the present terminal congestion will be like by then.Plus additonal congestion problems during construction. It seems like a disaster waiting to happen.

 

[lbia]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

John parkin won't even give an approximate start date, I was told from a LBIA company employee that nothing will happen this year and it is unlikely to happen next year either. The IATA standard is 1.5 square metres per pax in an enclosed airside location, take a look at LBA in the summer and it will shock you what it's like!

I personally think Bridgepoint put a big gamble on LBA and it had not paid off, in fairness to them they could not predict the recession and they have done a great job at getting new airlines but that it very much back office processes, now the front of house needs sorting. It's come to a crunch point now:

- terminal needs expanding
- runway needs resurfacing
- need a parallel taxiway
- at least 6 more parking stands are needed

Bridgepoint are not putting any of their own money into the development of LBA, this is what frustrates me. They are reinvesting £70m from the business activities at LBA, basically any profit that the company makes it is then used as the development fund. So far from the busy period before the recession they managed to get £2m to sort the car park out (well of a fashion) but now have no money to put into the further development. I apologise for been colourful in my views, yes Bridgepoint has developed LBA in one way - a way that cost nothing, paper pushing to get airlines. Now it has come to the hard cash stuff and surprise surprise no action.

No extra parking = no more based aircraft = no terminal extension.

You can't loose hard infrastructure, so what is next to go? Passengers then airlines. 12 months of growth yet still no action.

 

[a300boy]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

It may be that the actual management are as frustrated as you and we are. Large amounts of money like this are sanctioned from above the middle management level of a company . I believe they are doing ok but have some strange ideas and attitudes. They have grown the business in hard times so we have to support them and hope it all turn out well. Bit like supporting Leeds United.

 

[Aviador]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

It's really difficult to say anything without knowing exactly what's going on in Bridgepoint towers but I am starting to think on the same lines as 'a300boy'. From a business prospective, Bridgepoint paid for a first class management team knowing the difficult and challenging problems the airport faced. It is regrettable if the company feels it is wise to wait until the financial climate improves, but if that is what they have decided then so be it. Let's just hope that some preparatory work can be carried out in the near future to at least make it a more pleasant experience in the meantime.

 

[wawkrk]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

(LBIA -Bridgepoint are not putting any of their own money into the development of LBA, this is what frustrates me. They are reinvesting £70m from the business activities at LBA,)

This is exactly what I said at the time LBA was sold and I was attacked for thinking such a thing.
70m to be invested over 10 years means only puttting some of the profits back in and does not provide for any one off big spends.

Again I say, the wrong buyer was selected and they paid too much. Leeds city council as usual were to blame.
Decisions made by wallies not interested in providing the best option for the people of Yorkshire.

 

[dmrodgers]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

Having passed through the terminal 2 weeks ago I was shocked to see what a shabby state the so called departure lounge was in. This was January yet it still was overcrowded, dirty and furnishings in drastic need of refurbishment. What impression do the management think this displays to passengers who have never used the airport before. We've seen a gradual decline in standards and now it's getting to the point where it will drive thousands of passengers away to our competitiors where the general experience is far superior to whats now on offer at LBA. DSA, HUM and dare I say it MAN are not that much further away for most of our flyers. DSA & HUM may not have the flights now but if enough people vote with their feet the airlines will soon switch allegiance.

 

[lbaspotter]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

What would TBI Albertis have done if they had bought LBA. Not alot me thinks. What have they recently done with either Belfast Int'l or Cardiff airports. Nothing as its always London Luton where they spend there money. Both Cardiff and Belfast Int'l airports have lost both routes and operators of late.

So who else could have bought LBA at the time and spent the money that was/is required and still also got the new routes added by both PIA and ryanair? We only know that it was between Bridgepoint Capital and TBI in the last 2 compaines that where in the bidding process..

 

[wawkrk]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

(it was between Bridgepoint Capital and TBI )

These last 2 companies were probably in a bidding war. Neither may have been the best choice as the others probably thought the price was too high. I can't remember now, but were Balfour Beatty not interested? I believe they were mentioned.

 

[rhinoscrazy]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

why dont leeds brad build a mulitistory car park like most other airports instead of taking up land what could be used to help expand aircraft parking, new terminals ect ?

 

[eastcoaster]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

I often wonder if the building of all these car parks, though probably needed, is just a way of acquiring the land and putting it to airport use, so it can be used for other schemes in the future. It would be difficult if the farm land was put to other uses or even sold to other companies to use for non airport activities, then finding a need for it it in the future for the building of a hotel, multi storey, new terminal, apron extension etc.

 

[WYIA]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

It should be re-named Leeds Bradford International Parking Lot! Thats what all the money has gone into in the last 2 years. More car parking spaces. When they should be pushing for better bus & rail connections and stopping more people from coming in the car! Better for our roads and better for the environment!

As for the state of the terminal! Aside from the much better security area i echo some of the comments from others in this forum. Its just a disgrace.

Leaking & stained ceiling tiles, shabby carpets, disgustingly dirty seats and not enough seating in general! People sat on the floor like some third world airport! Land side escalator to Yates etc now out of action for months! Its just a joke and this city deserves more, a gateway airport to be proud of! I mean you walk into departures and the place actually smells!

I have flown into regional airports across Europe that just put airports like LBA to shame! They have invested in their terminals & the business has taken care of itself. Not to mention from a passenger perspective the whole experience from check-in to take off is a positive one!

 

[yorkshire]

Re: Infrastructure Developments

mayabe we should send an e-mail complaing to the airport authorites how bad the terminal as got. im going in march so i will see it for myself..its a shame because this will put passengers off if the airport looks a mess.