Leeds Bradford Airport Parking

[LBAYORKIE]

Not everyone can manage the “short walk” from the free drop-off point. That includes my daughter.
I thought I’d mention it.

Thats a shame but the airport is highly rated for its treatment of PRM's.

 

[Snackbar]

Not everyone can manage the “short walk” from the free drop-off point. That includes my daughter.
I thought I’d mention it.

It’s just a one minute walk down the hill from the free drop off point to the mid stay car park bus stop when the shuttle bus takes you to the terminal door….

 

[Aviador]

Personally I have reservations about actively promoting the free parking offering. While undoubtedly a valuable amenity for many users, the revenue derived from parking charges remains fundamentally critical to the airport's operational viability and service levels.

Airports such as LBA operate complex financial models predicated on achieving a requisite level of income per passenger (IPP). This encompasses both airline fees (e.g., landing fees) and non-aeronautical revenue streams. Parking fees constitute a significant component of the latter and are essential for the airport to meet its break-even point and maintain existing infrastructure, facilities, and passenger services to the expected standard.

Should LBA contemplate a strategic shift away from parking charges, it would necessitate a substantial compensatory increase in revenue from other non-aeronautical sources predominantly retail, food & beverage, and service concessions within the terminal. The viability of this approach hinges entirely on concessionaires generating significantly higher yields per passenger when they are already regarded as operating a "service station price" structure.

Crucially, if concession revenues prove insufficient to offset the loss of parking income, the resulting financial shortfall would inevitably necessitate increased aeronautical charges levied upon the airlines utilising the airport. Such a rise in operating costs for carriers could render certain routes, particularly thinner regional services or price-sensitive leisure routes, economically unviable. This carries the tangible risk of diminished flight frequency or even the withdrawal of services altogether from Yorkshire's principal air gateway.

Consequently, the situation presents a profound commercial dilemma: maintaining parking revenue is essential for LBA's current operational equilibrium and service offering, yet heavy reliance on it involves inherent trade-offs. It is a classic balancing act where efforts to reduce passenger costs in one area may inadvertently precipitate negative consequences elsewhere in the airport's commercial ecosystem.

 

[Len Fish]

Even a one minute walk is too much for some. I suffer from arthritis in one knee and chronic back pain, use a walking stick and I would find it difficult to walk for that long.

Yet many European airports seem to offer free drop off point parking. It seems in the U.K. every opportunity to charge us is taken, especially the motorist who is an easy target.

 

[Aviador]

Even a one minute walk is too much for some. I suffer from arthritis in one knee and chronic back pain, use a walking stick and I would find it difficult to walk for that long.

It is but there are no disabled concessions unless they're driving an electric car!

Frankly, I find the matter rather perplexing. The expense associated with reaching the airport ought logically to be factored into the overall cost consideration when booking a flight or holiday. As a previous contributor said, passengers readily commit many hundreds of pounds for their air travel or package holiday, yet subsequently become querulous over what is, in the grand scheme, a nominal sum for utilising essential infrastructure immediately outside the terminal building.

This perspective may sound somewhat harsh to some, but it reflects a commercial reality: the extensive roadway networks leading to the terminal forecourt and the car parks themselves incur significant, ongoing expenditure for maintenance, security cameras, and operation. To illustrate, a recent visit to Bolton Abbey involved a £15 parking charge. Purchasing merely a coffee and a sandwich there could easily set one back a further £15. Given this context, the notion that an airport should provide complimentary parking seems rather curious.

After all, if you were to book a train journey departing from Leeds station, one certainly wouldn't anticipate gratis parking at the station forecourt. Why should the expectations for airport facilities be fundamentally different? The principle remains: dedicated infrastructure serving a specific travel hub necessitates funding, and user charges represent a standard, equitable method to ensure its upkeep and availability.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Personally I have reservations about actively promoting the free parking offering. While undoubtedly a valuable amenity for many users, the revenue derived from parking charges remains fundamentally critical to the airport's operational viability and service levels.

Airports such as LBA operate complex financial models predicated on achieving a requisite level of income per passenger (IPP). This encompasses both airline fees (e.g., landing fees) and non-aeronautical revenue streams. Parking fees constitute a significant component of the latter and are essential for the airport to meet its break-even point and maintain existing infrastructure, facilities, and passenger services to the expected standard.

Should LBA contemplate a strategic shift away from parking charges, it would necessitate a substantial compensatory increase in revenue from other non-aeronautical sources predominantly retail, food & beverage, and service concessions within the terminal. The viability of this approach hinges entirely on concessionaires generating significantly higher yields per passenger when they are already regarded as operating a "service station price" structure.

Crucially, if concession revenues prove insufficient to offset the loss of parking income, the resulting financial shortfall would inevitably necessitate increased aeronautical charges levied upon the airlines utilising the airport. Such a rise in operating costs for carriers could render certain routes, particularly thinner regional services or price-sensitive leisure routes, economically unviable. This carries the tangible risk of diminished flight frequency or even the withdrawal of services altogether from Yorkshire's principal air gateway.

Consequently, the situation presents a profound commercial dilemma: maintaining parking revenue is essential for LBA's current operational equilibrium and service offering, yet heavy reliance on it involves inherent trade-offs. It is a classic balancing act where efforts to reduce passenger costs in one area may inadvertently precipitate negative consequences elsewhere in the airport's commercial ecosystem.

If they abolish free parking then the increased numbers paying for drop-off could justify a reduction in charges. I suppose we also have to consider if the drop off area in front of the terminal could even cope with larger numbers, it looks pretty chaotic at peak times.

 

[Aviador]

If they abolish free parking then the increased numbers paying for drop-off could justify a reduction in charges. I suppose we also have to consider if the drop off area in front of the terminal could even cope with larger numbers, it looks pretty chaotic at peak times.

It is a very good point. I have thought exactly the same and I am sure I mentioned something similar with the CEO at the Rawdon meeting. Most of the retail offering has moved airside and meet and greeters are discouraged from going to the terminal. I genuinely believe this is a mist opportunity for the airport to generate additional revenues from the public who aren't travelling. Some airports are now capitalising on this opportunity. I think Bristol airports new transport hub is going to house a Marks & Spencer shop.

"The new M&S Food will be located on the top floor of the new Public Transport Interchange (PTI), which is due to open this summer, with the brand-new Burger King located landside, before security, in the terminal entrance. ​

​

Kate Gwyther, Head of Retail, Bristol Airport said: “We’re pleased to announce that soon Bristol Airport will be home to an even better, brand-new M&S Food store. Its prime position is ideal for easy access for all departing and arriving passengers, as they will naturally use the pedestrian bridge connected to the Public Transport Interchange to enter and leave the terminal building. The new store is due to open this Summer."​

In some respects airports should be encouraged to keep meet and greeters for as long as possible when seeing loved ones off, or waiting for them to land. Charge them £3 an hour in the car park, but then sell them a £4 coffee and a sandwich for a £5. Most will end up staying longer than an hour then anyway and be changed another couple of quid for staying a bit longer.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

It is a very good point. I have thought exactly the same and I am sure I mentioned something similar with the CEO at the Rawdon meeting. Most of the retail offering has moved airside and meet and greeters are discouraged from going to the terminal. I genuinely believe this is a mist opportunity for the airport to generate additional revenues from the public who aren't travelling. Some airports are now capitalising on this opportunity. I think Bristol airports new transport hub is going to house a Marks & Spencer shop.

"The new M&S Food will be located on the top floor of the new Public Transport Interchange (PTI), which is due to open this summer, with the brand-new Burger King located landside, before security, in the terminal entrance. ​

​

Kate Gwyther, Head of Retail, Bristol Airport said: “We’re pleased to announce that soon Bristol Airport will be home to an even better, brand-new M&S Food store. Its prime position is ideal for easy access for all departing and arriving passengers, as they will naturally use the pedestrian bridge connected to the Public Transport Interchange to enter and leave the terminal building. The new store is due to open this Summer."​

In some respects airports should be encouraged to keep meet and greeters for as long as possible when seeing loved ones off, or waiting for them to land. Charge them £3 an hour in the car park, but then sell them a £4 coffee and a sandwich for a £5. Most will end up staying longer than an hour then anyway and be changed another couple of quid for staying a bit longer.

I think Teesside give a discount on drop off parking if you buy a coffee in the terminal

 

[BCFC]

I think Teesside give a discount on drop off parking if you buy a coffee in the terminal

That's because its empty.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

That's because its empty.

Its still a good idea.

 

[Aviador]

Its still a good idea.

It isn't a good Idea if it wants too stay in business.

 

[Cookridge resident]

Heathrow manages 100% discounts for blue badge holders and just about manages to stay afloat, so I guess it is possible to manage it, somehow.

 

[Aviador]

Heathrow manages 100% discounts for blue badge holders and just about manages to stay afloat, so I guess it is possible to manage it, somehow.

Heathrow operates mostly high yeild full service airlines so very different from most other UK airports. Airlines are charged substantially for the privilege of using Heathrow. This is reflected in the price of airline tickets and even there the airport has introduced kiss and go charges in recent years.

 

[Cookridge resident]

But it’s possible, yes? These things are simply commercial decisions, that’s all.
I posted a fact, not an opinion.
I like to remain objective on these issues.
I’m a supporter of LBA (and a worker at LBA many moons ago) but everyone needs a truth telling critical friend every now and again.
It’s called love

 

[Aviador]

But it’s possible, yes? These things are simply commercial decisions, that’s all.
I posted a fact, not an opinion.
I like to remain objective on these issues.
I’m a supporter of LBA (and a worker at LBA many moons ago) but everyone needs a truth telling critical friend every now and again.
It’s called love

The commercial decision is the airport needs to make money. It's a business and it needs to spend the best part of £100m on resurfacing the runway in the next few years. The airport won't gain any sympathy if it can't afford to do essential work that is needed to stay in business.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

It isn't a good Idea if it wants too stay in business.

Why?

 

[White Heather]

My understanding is that it is a planning condition that the airport provides a free drop off area.

As for parking, and drop off fees, LBA makes most of its money through these charges. Its absolutely essential to charge these fees which is why virtually all UK airports charge them. LBA is investing £200m on the terminal and more to come, but they have to repay this money with interest. The simple fact is that if we want an airport, then we have to expect these charges. Bear in mind too that the Council are demanding a reduction in the number of passengers getting to LBA by car, which in turn reduces LBA income. We've seen down the A1 what happens to airports that are deserted by airlines and make yearly losses. They cannot increase landing fees as the likes of Ryanair and Wizz will simply cut routes or leave. They've done so many times.

At Heathrow, airlines expect to and do pay significantly higher fees, but these are not low cost carriers. They have a totally different business model. Heathrow can in no way be compared to the likes of LBA. Across the hills, MAN charge these fees despite the fact they have a significant presence from national carriers such as Emirates, Turkish, Lufthansa etc.who will all pay much higher landing fees. It really is pointless people complaining about drop off charges. They're here to stay.

 

[BCFC]

Its still a good idea.

Not really as the terminal gets packed with passengers queuing so far back, last thing we need is the cup of tea brigade filling the place even more.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Not really as the terminal gets packed with passengers queuing so far back, last thing we need is the cup of tea brigade filling the place even more.

As Aviador said its an opportunity missed. Theres already a coffee shop but there could be additional retail offering.

 

[Cookridge resident]

Topical article.

Airport drivers try to beat drop-off charges by parking in laybys

Drivers at Edinburgh Airport say they resent paying high fees for dropping off passengers.

www.bbc.co.uk