Future Infrastructure Developments

[TheLocalYokel]

There might be no comparison between the two airports but it just shows how far behind the Leeds airport has got.

It is invidious to compare because MAN is so far out in front of all other UK regional airports (and some London area ones too of course) that all other regionals will pale by comparison.

The last time I visited MAN was in the late 90s or early noughties (not to fly - to see someone off) and its scale was impressive then.

Reading about its myriad of new routes and services in recent times suggests it's well on the way to grow substantially from an already high base.

LBA has done very well itself in recent years compared with its peers.

 

[a300boy]

My Comparison !!
Manchester = Proper Airport [ Too far away for me ]
Leeds = Buggers Muddle Airport with limited development potential [ Nice and handy ]

 

[White Heather]

User001, my 'comparison' re luggage waiting times was not intended as such. What I was saying is that although the wait was unnecessarily long at 40 minutes (with just 2 aircraft arriving and both on the same belt), it is nothing unusual. I mentioned MAN as it is the only other airport I have flown from in this country, apart from LHR. It was not a criticism of MAN - more to show that whilst 40 minutes may seem bad, it is not unusual and not unique to LBA. There was a comment that people remember what happened when they arrived at the airport coming home (rather than when they depart), and the suggestion that may lead to going to other airports, but my point is that gains nothing, as you will probably wait just as long wherever you go.

 

[User0001]

Hi Heather

I hope my post didn't seem like I was singling you out, I certainly wasn't.

However, the point does remain that it is pretty futile comparing 2 airports like LBA/MAN as they are very different beasts (I appreciate you personally only have the 3 examples to compare, but again I am not singling you out, just putting my 2 cents in against general comparisons as they happen on a lot of forums). :drinks:

Its a bit like the whole 'airports with delays' argument (I know its off topic but as seen as a table has just been released to the media stating worst airports for delays, it helps illustrate my argument). Its pretty futile comparing Gatwick, to say, Doncaster for On Time Performance (OTP). When 1 airport has on average 8-10 flights per day to dispatch, you would hope to god that they run roughly to schedule otherwise something is direly wrong. On the other end of the scale, if an airport dispatches 150-300 flights per day, or, close to capacity, there is more chances for delays and more likely to suffer said delays.

(And quite frankly the 'delays' table is a worthless tool for me as I would rather have a slightly late plane with more choice of flights, than fly from an airport with 95% punctuality but no destinations I want to visit.)

Again all my 2 cents.

 

[pmscb]

I flew with jet2 into leeds on the 4th june from palma. when we arrived at leeds, we was parked up at the very far end of the apron, we had to wait for the coaches to arrive which took 20 mins, passengers not impressed with this, get onto the coaches and had to wait a further 5 -10 mins on the coach after everybody had disemabarked the aircraft before it set off for the terminal building. I thought this was very poor and not a good way to encourage people to fly to/from leeds i thought. Ive not flown from leeds since 2009. To be honest the terminal was too small for the amount of people departing on the morning of the 28th may. Too long a queues in departure lounge, and not enough room to sit, or to squeeze past at check in when going to the security section to go to the departure lounge. The space at the front of the terminal building really needs to be made wider as this space was very under utilised and also longer if they want to expand at leeds, as well as the longer runway to encourage larger aircraft and longer destinations.

 

[lbaspotter]

Regarding waiting for long periods for your baggage it looks as though things haven't changed that much since you was at Manchester Airport Bigman if this News Story in today's Daily Mail news paper is anything to go by. White Heather I would rather take your 40 min wait at Leeds/Bradford Airport.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...travellers-forced-wait-TWO-HOURS-luggage.html

This is not just a bash at Manchester before anyone says anything. As I think we all now need to start accepting that waiting times for baggage is getting longer at all Airports that have the likes of Ryanair about. Yes we all like our local airports growing with airlines opening up new routes and serving destinations along with additional aircraft movements. But if the Airlines are allowed to keep cutting on costs, it will lead to the Baggage handling companies been unable to employ enough people than that’s required so delays will get worse.

 

[dmrodgers]

Don't think things are just confined to baggage at Manchester. Went week last Monday to pick my son up from Dubai off the Emirates EK017 A380 flight arriving in Manchester at 11.45 and then had to wait 1 hours 45 minutes from the aircraft touching down to him exiting the arrivals hall. Appears queues at Immigration were the main cause of the problem, not doubt due to government cut backs, so when you have to wait 10 minutes at LBA to get through immigration just think yourself lucky.

 

[White Heather]

Regarding the Airport Masterplan (are you reading this LUFC Pete??) - It was confirmed today that LBA has appointed a senior guy to manage all estate issues at LBA and he has direct responsibility for the Masterplan. It was confirmed LBA have to have one, but that there is no target timetable set by Government for its production. LBA can do it to their own schedule. LBA are currently in talks with interested parties, such as MP's, and have invested substantially in buying in professional consultants etc to assist. Work is progressing well on the plan. The draft plan will be available for the September committee meeting to view and will then be going out for public consultation. I specifically asked, what LBA's target was for the publication of the final plan and it was confirmed as late 2013. It was stated to be in the interests of LBA to complete the plan as soon as possible.

It was confirmed also that LBA have bought 3 Mercedes Benz articulated buses for use on the airport aprons, despite the fact that airlines prefer not to have to pay to use them. They will be used more freely in the winter months and bad weather.

It was also confirmed that the passenger walkway alongside the Eastern Apron cost £1.5 million.

 

[User0001]

I will respond to the latest round of fobbing off and masterplan delay when i can.

You CAN win with the airlines. They require a terminal near to where the aeroplanes get parked not airbridges but also not a £300,000 bus shelter.

In terms of PR, spin and general claptrap bridgepoints LBIA is the equivalent of heathrow!

 

[rmac]

Having just read LUFC PETE's last post I am surprised at the negative tone he displays.
Over the last couple of years I have flown into and out of several UK and European airports of similar size or bigger than LBA and my impression is of LBA being generally superior in most aspects, including the 'bus shelter' which I think is great and a big improvement. Some other airports I have used could definately benefit from a 'bus shelter'. Producing a Masterplan in this volatile economic climate must be a nightmare and I sympathise with LBA management/Bridgepoint.

 

[White Heather]

I will respond to the latest round of fobbing off and masterplan delay when i can.

You CAN win with the airlines. They require a terminal near to where the aeroplanes get parked not airbridges but also not a £300,000 bus shelter.

In terms of PR, spin and general claptrap bridgepoints LBIA is the equivalent of heathrow!

Priceless!

Where do you get your £300,000 from Pete bearing in mind that I have just confirmed that the cost of this 'bus shelter' (which has been specifically designed to be adaptable/expandable in the future, is £1.5m? Or are you accusing the LBA MD of lying? Perhaps he will copy you in to their accounts to convince you if you ask?

I had suspected before, and now I know for sure, that it is a pointless excercise asking questions of the LBA management on your behalf, as you don't believe anything they say anyway. What I will say is that the LBA MD yesterday said that he responds personally to all letters sent to him (and there are very few considering all the complaining going on in the press) and that he will often telephone a complainant to explain matters in detail. It has been suggested before Pete that if you are not happy, take the time and write to John Parkin and tell him why he is doing such a poor job with regard to the airport infrastructure. I feel sure he will respond fully, though I have little doubt you will continue to take the view that LBA should just throw multiple millions of pounds at the airport, whatever the long term impact on the company, airport and employees. Clearly, what happened with LUFC hasn't really hit home, has it???

Please do not ask me to question LBA management again on your behalf however as it really is a pointless exercise. :nea:

 

[eastcoaster]

Very well said White Heather.

 

[Planecrazy]

Here here.

 

[Aviador]

[warning]Hi guys & gals.

I'd like to point out that Forums4airports isn't affiliated with LBIA directly (or any other airport for that matter). The majority of our users might not agree with comments made by LUFC Pete, however it is important (so far as Forums4airports is concerned) that everybody is allowed to express their opinions.

All users are respectfully reminded that they are responsible for the content of their posts at all times and that Forums4airports cannot accept responsibility for the content of individual posts. Your posts should therefore remain within the forum rules at all times ensuring defamation and slander laws are adhered to

From this point onward I request that users stick to the topic title, "Leeds Bradford Infrastructure & Developments". This means projects that are underway or in the planning. Other items should be placed into the "Leeds Bradford Airport - General Thread"

Thank you in advance for your assistance.[/warning]

 

[Moo2009]

Anyone no what the diggers are doing next to taxiway Charlie

 

[oldendays]

Surface repairs on taxiway November.

[warning]Hi guys & gals.

Some post have been moved to the Leeds Bradford Airport - General Thread.

Please stick to the topic title, "Leeds Bradford Infrastructure & Developments". This means infrastructure projects that are underway or in the planning. Other items should be placed into the "Leeds Bradford Airport - General Thread"

Thank you in advance for your assistance.[/warning]

 

[Moo2009]

Bit of info jet2 737-300 parked on stand 1 nose out at an angle this morning so looks like an extra night stop stand available

 

[User0001]

1 post in 3 months really says it all about infrastructure and development at LBIA!

The the Government of the time made it very very very clear that airports should update their Masterplans every 5 years (there was a link to the document on this forum). This was to keep the local community fully up to speed on REAL plans for the airport. It is absolutely no surprise that bridgepoint did not stick to this useful timetable because in reality there would only have been a bus shelter to show. No terminal enlargement, no apron enlargement, no additional taxiways, no link roads etc etc etc.

With the greatest of respect White Heather you confirm to me absolutely nothing as all you have done is pass on information you have been told. This is called hearsay. We can argue until the cows come home but without facts and itemised receipts it means nothing.

I am a very frequent user of the airport and the internal remodelling is pretty and I enjoy my trips through the airport but that has zero to do with my point; Leeds Bradford Airport languishes miles behind where it should be both in terms of passenger numbers but also critically in terms of its infrastructure. This is what bridgepoint won the right to do-improve the airport. Not just make money out of the airport but to improve the airport. If they don't do that then the people that sold them the airport (ie the local government) have let this region down.

Like I have repeatedly said for the last 5 years on this board I really do look forward to actual REAL plans for LBIA infrastructure spend and improvement from the airport owners (that doesn't include extending a cheap drafty tin bus shelter).

LBIA MASTERPLAN for the Yorkshire public was due in 2011 and as we rapidly approach 2014 we are all still waiting!! One biggish plane told to leave the airport because there is no space left because 6-7 years later the owners have not been able/willing to build any extra apron space completely contrary to the information(with dates) shown on the vintage masterplan they have deliberately kept on their LBIA website.

Bendybuses bought but left in their old London livery. It really is time bridgepoint spent some money.......

 

[User0001]

Priceless!

Where do you get your £300,000 from Pete bearing in mind that I have just confirmed that the cost of this 'bus shelter' (which has been specifically designed to be adaptable/expandable in the future, is £1.5m? Or are you accusing the LBA MD of lying? Perhaps he will copy you in to their accounts to convince you if you ask?

I had suspected before, and now I know for sure, that it is a pointless excercise asking questions of the LBA management on your behalf, as you don't believe anything they say anyway. What I will say is that the LBA MD yesterday said that he responds personally to all letters sent to him (and there are very few considering all the complaining going on in the press) and that he will often telephone a complainant to explain matters in detail. It has been suggested before Pete that if you are not happy, take the time and write to John Parkin and tell him why he is doing such a poor job with regard to the airport infrastructure. I feel sure he will respond fully, though I have little doubt you will continue to take the view that LBA should just throw multiple millions of pounds at the airport, whatever the long term impact on the company, airport and employees. Clearly, what happened with LUFC hasn't really hit home, has it???

Please do not ask me to question LBA management again on your behalf however as it really is a pointless exercise. :nea:

White Heather,

I hope you understand I have absolutely no axe to grind with you at all. You are passionate about the airport and give up a lot of your time as regards the committee.

You can ask as many questions as you like on mine or anyone elses behalf. It is not the questions that are important it is the validity of the answers you receive. Do the dates you get told keep moving? - Do the plans in the pipeline (such as the beautiful extended terminal shown in the bochure) keep falling by the wayside?

Go back 6 years. Would any of us have really been happy with just a bus shelter and redecorating of the cramped terminal? The answer is a resounding NO. The council owners would have done as much work if not more.

 

[White Heather]

Pete

See my other reply please will is my final response along with this one. I refuse to continue to debate an issue with you when you continually refer to a £1.5m walk way as a 'bus shelter' which I view as provocative, or when you refer to a £15m redevlopment of the terminal as a 'redecoration'. And if you think that the council would have even spent the money so far expended by Bridgepoint you are deluding yourself. They sold the airport because they knew that they would NOT be able to fund the works required to enable the airport to expand at all.

The whole debate is becoming stale, so I am out of it from this point onwards.