Route Development & Rumours

[ex_crew]

Thats very true , but says very little about providing a scheduled service that has longevity and profitability
.
U.S carriers will not consider coming to Leeds unless there is evidence that route will survive through revenue from fare paying passengers on both sides of the Atlantic , lets not forget here, this is not just about a market share from Leeds , the airfield at the other side must also show a substantial market share too.

The service from Leeds demonstrates the ability for a narrow bodied aircraft to reach a destination in the U.S , which at times needs to refuel.

This route is also marketed year round , targeted at a concentrated audience.

An achievement that would not struggle from any local airfield.

 

[User0001]

I think the chance of a US carrier is severely limited anyway.

The big 3 are now well covered in the UK (AA/U/DL).

The big US low costs are not huge risk takers. They take on markets from the legacies with proven records. So, were Southwest, JetBlue or Spirit to consider trans-Atlantic ops, they would likely go for the traditional markets, your Dublin, Manchester, Glasgow or Edinburgh (lets not forget range likely to be an issue so would be limited to UK.)

The only shot I can see for LBA, and its a real outside chance, would be allegiant (the ones responsible for the Jet2 holidays livery). They seem to have a similar ethos to Jet2, and have ETOPS B757's, so, could they be tempted?

 

[ex_crew]

I sincerely , with all my heart , hope it does but I'm afraid to say , I don't think it ever will , unless a miracle happens.

The first thing the perspective airlines are going to look at is our connection with London and the transferring traffic to the U.S , at times we struggle to run the shuttle with high yields , yields are what counts , not bums on seats , key word is " yield ".

This route again in proximity and convenience , a little to close to London , the train is a better option for the day returning business traveller , it provides a much more " streamlined " service with few complications.

The journey time maybe much quicker by air , door to door , the train wins for those heading for the City and Westminster , aided by flexible fares.

As part of the investigation they will demand to see " real time " evidence that provides trans-Atlantic statistics , passengers originating from our local airfield.

B.A , KLM and now Aer Lingus will be discussed in the boardroom, they all provide connecting flights to all regions across the pond.

Previously there was a slight glimmer of hope with our beloved P.I.A carrying on to Toronto , which I think would come before a U.S route, we at least have some evidence of achievement here with Wardair and Worldways Canada , not sure how well the route performed , White Heather can probably give us better details.

Manchester is simply to close to us , the last time I looked it was the 16th busiest INTERNATIONAL airport in the world ,and with that comes international facilities and the very latest aviation technology, this as well as other" thorns in our side" puts new business off coming to Yorkshire . High volume of diversions in the Winter , shabby road connections , no rail etc and a controversial runway length along with a perfect alternative on our doorstep , complemented by ample , modern , vacant pier stands will make this contest tough......for Leeds.

Newcastle have again won the hearts of a U.S carrier , they almost hooked AA a few years back but it was scrapped before the launch date , here we have a good regional airfield , good runway length , no aggressive neighbouring competitors and a successful relationship with an international carrier Emirates , these are the factors that won the prize and left LBA high and dry , well done Newcastle , they have a bright future because the ingredients in the pot work !!

We will not move onto the next level without investment , that is in the hands of Bridgepoint.

 

[lbaspotter]

It seems like Vueling are announcing new routes into the UK from Barcelona. Both Birmingham and Belfast City have been confirmed so far this morning. I wonder if Leeds or Manchester might also follow?

 

[White Heather]

It would be nice to see Vueling at LBA - and we know that LBA has been seen on their website as a destination a few times already. But if they do come, I don't think we need any more Barcelona operators. We have 3 already! What we need are the likes of Madrid, or other un-served or under-served Spanish routes. Fingers Crossed!

 

[SNOWMAN]

It would be nice to see Vueling at LBA - and we know that LBA has been seen on their website as a destination a few times already. But if they do come, I don't think we need any more Barcelona operators. We have 3 already! What we need are the likes of Madrid, or other un-served or under-served Spanish routes. Fingers Crossed!

hi white heather
Madrid would be great,i am sure L.B.A.management will be on the case.
regards
sm1

 

[rmac]

I seem to recall Jet2 did LBA - MAD a few years ago, although short lived. I wonder what the loads were like, I would imagine quite good, and if so perhaps Vueling might be tempted on to this potential route. I have flown EDI - MAD and back a few years ago and both flights were full. (EasyJet) I can't help thinking that EZY would be great for LBA and I think they would do very well as the business traveller is being catered for by them and this is what LBA needs - routes to MAD LIS CPH MUC for starts.

 

[Tarn Spotter]

Would love madrid and Seville to come up and some in northern spain. Went to madrid last month via malaga, took the high speed train up to madrid, faster then travelling to another u.k. airport and my over 60's Renfe rail card gets me 40% discount.

 

[dmrodgers]

I seem to recall Jet2 did LBA - MAD a few years ago, although short lived. I wonder what the loads were like, I would imagine quite good, and if so perhaps Vueling might be tempted on to this potential route. I have flown EDI - MAD and back a few years ago and both flights were full. (EasyJet) I can't help thinking that EZY would be great for LBA and I think they would do very well as the business traveller is being catered for by them and this is what LBA needs - routes to MAD LIS CPH MUC for starts.

EasyJet announced today new route commencing April 2015 from Bristol to Gibraltar. We need more routes like this from Leeds to grow passenger numbers, what chances of our management team getting more EasyJet flights?

 

[airforced]

After all the pleas and wishful thinking on here about Easyjet expanding their offering from LBA I have come to the conclusion that Mrs McCall and her henchmen don't bother reading the posts on this forum. Together with the undoubted efforts of the LBA team to entice them here we still only see the winter Geneva flights. I have given up thinking that we might see more from Easyjet.

Has anyone any thoughts as to why this might be as I'm of the firm opinion that they would be successful if they started offering some new city routes on a year round basis?

What's holding them back I wonder?

 

[TheLocalYokel]

I have given up thinking that we might see more from Easyjet.

Has anyone any thoughts as to why this might be as I'm of the firm opinion that they would be successful if they started offering some new city routes on a year round basis?

What's holding them back I wonder?

The same question re easyJet appears in the BHX forum from time to time.

LBA does have Jet2, Ryanair and Monarch (as well as a small easyJet winter presence) which may be the reason why easyJet has shied away from developing a more substantial network.

BRS although handling over 6 mppa only has easyJet and Ryanair of the main locos and could really do with a third to ease the reliance on two airlines - in fact mainly one really (easyJet) that carries over half of BRS's annual passenger numbers.

 

[adam]

Could it be that there's nowhere to park there planes overnight too?

 

[White Heather]

Could it be that there's nowhere to park there planes overnight too

No Adam, that is nothing to do with it. If Easyjet opted to base (say) 2 aircraft at LBA, and the stands were not available, do you think that LBA wouldn't do something about that instantly? They are not going to refuse an airline partner because there are not enough stands. They have, on several occasions, confirmed that if and when demand arises from an airline that requires additional stands, then those stands will be developed in time for their arrival. They have also confirmed that up until now, no airline has indicated a requirement to base aircraft in sufficient numbers on a regular basis to warrant such a development, but that they are 'ready to go' should the situation change.

 

[lbaspotter]

What doesn't help LBA is the fact we now have limited parking space available over the winter months as well due to the fact the Jet2 static fleet has arrived by looks of things. I see the 2x Newcastle based Jet2 Boeing 757-200 have been sent into Leeds over the past few days which have took over parking stops left vacated by losing 1x of the based Monarch A320's and Thomson 737-800.

 

[airforced]

As someone has moved my last post onto another thread I'll post again without being led off topic by comments from others. My last thoughts on the Easyjet route development or not were

It seems, like me, that no-one can come up with any reasons why Easyjet shouldn't be offering us some more routes from LBA. They don't need to base aircraft here as any introductory services could be achieved by operating on a W leg basis from one of their many other bases much the same way as Ryanair do.

My personal thoughts tell me that there must be something they don't like about LBA and feel that they wouldn't get a satisfactory service from the airport somewhere along the line.

 

[lbaspotter]

Robert Goodwill Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport) 9th March 2015

"The Aviation Policy Framework states that the Government would be inclined to support threatened routes to London within State aid regulations. We have therefore made funds available via the Regional Air Connectivity Fund to maintain regional air access to London which is in danger of being lost, through Public Service Obligations (PSOs). Last June we announced support for a Dundee-Stansted service for two years; and in October announced a four-year funding deal a service between Newquay and London Gatwick.

The Government has broadened the scope of the Regional Air Connectivity Fund to allow start-up aid for new routes from regional airports handling fewer than 5 million passengers per year, providing applications meet EU aviation State aid guidelines. Airports and airlines have submitted start-up bids, for services largely intended to commence in 2016, to my Department. We will announce a short list of routes for funding later this month, and announce final funding over the summer."

Here's hoping for something positive to come out of this later in the month. As I believe Leeds/Bradford Airport's management were very keen about this when it was announce last year that Government funding would be available to regional airports.

I wonder if the announcement will be to the general public or just to the interested parties. eg airlines and airports?

 

[whoshotjimmi]

If BA are making a success of the Heathrow flight and passenger numbers are steadily increasing, there would be little chance of this being made available to LBA. It certainly won't be used to forge a link to LGW.

 

[lbaspotter]

I was thinking more along the line of funds been acquired to start up new routes or replace routes that have been lost. eg PIA.

 

[Bigman]

Never mind PIA. How about Brussels Airlines, Air France, Iberia, Swiss or Lufthansa??

 

[ex_crew]

I agree Bigman.

Much prefer to see one of these carriers operate a successful service from Leeds which in time may excite other airlines about a possible LBA route.

PIA are always welcome at LBA but without the problematic operations.