Future Infrastructure Developments

[LBA4EVER]

The fact that Jet2, Aer Lingus Reg, KLM and BA continue to make a success of LBA despite poor local roads, overcrowded terminal, 'short' runway and being the highest airport in the UK makes me optimistic that once the new terminal is in operation and the parkway station is also up and running then some other airlines will see the need to serve places like BRU, IST, FRA, MUC, etc., maybe too one with an Orange flavour.

Exactly its only Ryanair that have cut their services and no one really knows why,could be the max8 issue, could be the terminal etc? But in the last quarter jet2,aer lingus, klm and flybe have all increased services so its only Ryanair that's the downer. As for airlines banging the door down well if the terminal and other bits were improved then LBA really is in a strong position simply due to the size of leeds and west Yorkshire and in a much stronger position than say the likes of ncl,dsa,huy,lpl, and once the airport does start to see big passenger increases it should create an upwards effect, in my view its only the terminal and infrastructure that lets it down.

 

[airforced]

Should LBA get its new terminal and other infrastructure put in then LBA is an absolute gold mine for any airline. It just does not make sense Leeds and west yorks having an airport like LBA is atm, the two just don't go together! If a proper terminal was built back in the 90s ( im thinking lpl, alc style terminal ) instead of just sticking crappy bits on here and there as well as other big improvements inc the runway then im pretty dam sure we would have an airport now with at least 8-10million with a few longer haul routes, new York, dubai possibly more as well as a good choice of European routes with the likes of sas, LH etc, im thinking bit similar to EDI. thoughts?

I think you are forgetting the runway fight2win.
Remember the old saying "you can't polish a ****" and our runway has always, even in the 90's, fitted this description, facing the way it does and the undulations and length limitations therefore imposed on it will not change so anyone who comes here (irrespective of terminals etc) has to be happy operating within the obvious constraints that come as part of the package. What I am saying is that we have a very limited audience but I do hope that it suits someone.

 

[Statto]

What I am saying is that we have a very limited audience but I do hope that it suits someone.

I think 'very limited' is probably a bit of a stretch. Take Heathrow out of the equation and I'd wager that over 90% of the passenger traffic at UK airports is being flown on routes / and by aircraft that LBA is fine with. Let's be honest, it's mostly 737-800s and Airbus 319 / 320s ploughing up and down to Europe.

 

[ChurchFenton]

Something the CEO said at the last Consultative Meeting was. (and I assume this was after discussions with airlines although he didn't say so specifically) that if the LBA terminal is sorted properly and presents the airlines with the customer experience and facilities they require, then some airlines would be 'banging the door down' to operate from LBA due to the catchment area available and proximity to it.

If this was the terminology used by AMP (and if they truly believe it themselves), then common sense would suggest they should get on with it and undertake a significant terminal expansion/improvements, so that those airlines can be welcomed through the door and not have to be banging on it.

Whatever is announced in January will give us a true indication of AMP's ambitions. Expansion to the eastern side of the existing terminal would be fantastic, the Bridgepoint expansion at the the front of the terminal (which it has been said also still has permission) would be an absolute dream if done in addition. We would finally have a terminal fit for purpose for the 2020s and beyond. Increased passenger volumes would create more road traffic and perhaps force the hand of LeedsCC/local MP/some residents who were opposed before to back improved access roads, as something in their own interests and not just the airport's.

 

[airforced]

I think 'very limited' is probably a bit of a stretch. Take Heathrow out of the equation and I'd wager that over 90% of the passenger traffic at UK airports is being flown on routes / and by aircraft that LBA is fine with. Let's be honest, it's mostly 737-800s and Airbus 319 / 320s ploughing up and down to Europe.

It may be a slight stretch Statto but which of all those operators would be prepared to run their 738's and 319/320's in winter or would they be happy, as Jet2 are, to more or less shut up shop for the season rather than take their business elsewhere? (Not very well put but I think you will get my drift).
This aspect of operating into Leeds narrows things down somewhat, hence my 'very limited' comment.

 

[Tarn Spotter]

As I hurtle to my 8th decade on this earth, I know its foolish to try to predict the future, or the likely changes in any industry, but we can try.
In the 70's we were told an ice age would arrive by this decade and that A I would rule the roost and we would all be out of a job.. One has not happened and it fact the reverse now predicted and the latter now after a roller coaster of a ride, will I believe have a huge impact on the future.
I certainly cannot see in two decades time, security checks, passport controls, boarding cards, airport bars and retail outlets, they will be a thing of the past and done by automation. An automated service to collect you from home to immediate boarding, all controlled by A I for a JIT boarding. You wont control your airport of departure, the airline will decide, to ensure full aircraft. Airports will become like some of the modern railway station where you go upstairs and your smartphone ticket opens the gate for the moving walkway to your train, the airport concourse can then become the retail area open to all, boarding controlled by your smart phone.
From the new LBA railway station, automatic controlled vehicles will speed you in minutes to the airport and I doubt we will need airport car parks in two decades time.
My travels especially to Norway have shown me how the smart phone now rules, when we visit my son and his partner, I do everything by phone, through the airport, order a taxi, order a restaurant meal, pay for everything, no cash/cards accepted, no hotel reception.
Even though I dont have an online banking, there are apps similar to Paypal to pay your way, only missing cog is an ID card as a lot facial recognition and have to use our passport or driving licence and some scanners can be iffy reading.

 

[Len Fish]

Happy New Year to everyone, let’s hope the airlines, AMP and Leeds City Council have 20/20 vision where LBA is concerned, although given recent events I’m not too hopeful about the latter.

 

[ls27]

Well Tarn Spotter, I'm well in the same space of time as you and all this innovation can confuse us sometimes, and I find I have to revert to pen and paper at times. The best bit of technology as far as I'm concerned is the bus pass which good old Flybe accept as ID for internal flights. Well having said than, I'm now going to book a BnB with the bank card for a short break in the far east (Hull)

 

[LBA4EVER]

Well Tarn Spotter, I'm well in the same space of time as you and all this innovation can confuse us sometimes, and I find I have to revert to pen and paper at times. The best bit of technology as far as I'm concerned is the bus pass which good old Flybe accept as ID for internal flights. Well having said than, I'm now going to book a BnB with the bank card for a short break in the far east (Hull)

When technology goes down you cant beat pen and paper! im a 50/50 guy, half tech,half pen and paper.

 

[LBA4EVER]

Happy New Year to everyone, let’s hope the airlines, AMP and Leeds City Council have 20/20 vision where LBA is concerned, although given recent events I’m not too hopeful about the latter.

I think we need to put 2019 behind us and look forward to what will hopefully, possibly be a turning point at LBA? Construction of the new terminal is a must,simple as that! Without the terminal growth will stall and airlines will not entertain us.

 

[Finger66]

Agreed. Let's start the New Year, of which I would like to wish you all a very happy and prosperous one, on a positive note and hope the January LBACC meeting gets the year off to a cracking start

 

[LBA4EVER]

Agreed. Let's start the New Year, of which I would like to wish you all a very happy and prosperous one, on a positive note and hope the January LBACC meeting gets the year off to a cracking start

Whats the date of the LBACC meeting?

 

[Finger66]

The 7th was quoted but not sure if that was when the link road announcement was supposed to have been made. So much has been said about different things. If it is the 7th it's not long to wait for the first positive news of 2020. That will be 2nd only to BCFC thrashing Morecambe 6 nil this aft (not)

 

[White Heather]

Whats the date of the LBACC meeting?

The date of the extra-ordinary Consultative Committee Meeting hasn't been set. I am still waiting for the notification to come from the airport but would think it will be after the meeting scheduled for the 7th, which is to discuss the Parkway Station.

Otherwise, I wish everyone on here a very Happy New Year and like most, I am hoping that 2020, and the start of a new decade, brings some long awaited growth and investment at LBA which is supported by Leeds City Council. There are other ways to meet their emissions targets without surpressing growth at the airport and thereby negatively impacting the city and entire region too.

 

[a300boy]

Our rivals across the hills continue to expand services with Jet 2 Ryanair and Easyjet with all sorts of other offerings from other airlines too even though Monarch and Tommy Cook have gone down the tubes.
Its unfair to judge the latest holder of the poisonous challice until the end of his first year but its hardly been a good period since he arrived
I would be very surprised if we see any kind of Easyjet presence over here but bring on the 7th of January then we can see what the hopefully good news is all about.

 

[Statto]

What is this ‘‘poisonous chalice‘ ?

 

[a300boy]

Being the boss at Lba ! They are like football managers these day

 

[White Heather]

Our rivals across the hills continue to expand services with Jet 2 Ryanair and Easyjet with all sorts of other offerings from other airlines too even though Monarch and Tommy Cook have gone down the tubes.
Its unfair to judge the latest holder of the poisonous challice until the end of his first year but its hardly been a good period since he arrived
I would be very surprised if we see any kind of Easyjet presence over here but bring on the 7th of January then we can see what the hopefully good news is all about.

There won't be any airport news on the 7th. That is the date the council etc. are meeting to discuss the Parkway Station, not the date when any airport news is due to be announced to my knowledge. We don't have a date yet for the extra-ordinary Consultative Meeting at which we were told an announcement would be made on the plans for the terminal.

 

[Heathrowflyer]

A terminal extension will be most welcome and will hopefully encourage growth. This growth must be more than bucket and spade destinations though to deliver long term organic growth to the region. I'm guessing our best bet going forward with a new terminal is Easyjet...hopefully this will be business and new routes. Whilst Easyjet's holiday brand from LBA would be brilliant as it provides competition for Jet 2, for a new development to be a game changer, we need long haul and more Vapital/business routes. The sheer volatility of the 'holiday' market has been highlighted by the situation in Iran ...the Foreign office have now formally issued warnings for Turkey, Egypt and Dubai ( amongst a raft of others) with tourists potentially being soft targets. Personally, there's a number of other countries I wouldn't visit at the moment. We just cant keep relying on the holiday market from an economic position but also we fall into the 'non essential travel' sector and are therefore vulnerable to the City's climate change targets.

 

[White Heather]

As I indicated after the December consultative meeting, LBA have now called an Extra-ordinary meeting of the Consultative Committee to inform us of its intentions regarding the terminal. All I am saying at this point is that it is later this month (exactly as they said it would be) and that after the meeting, I will provide an update with whatever information I am authorised to give you. I say this purely because I don't know whether or not the airport may have an embargo on the information until a later date or not. Sometimes it is OK to update you, sometimes I am asked not to until they formally make an announcement.