Runways, Aprons and Taxiways

[gcoabc1]

They have borrowed the money to build the terminal, so clearly they don't have a bottomless pit of money to spend on infrastructure. They have to be self sufficient. That means that they are not going to be able to commit to multiple high cost projects at the same time without taking a huge commercial risk .

They are already funding the runway works, a necessary evil, they've just installed multi million pound scanners, and then there's the general running costs for the airport which are huge. And the costs associated with funding the terminal. So much as we would all like them to just build all the extra 10 stands asap, it's unlikely to happen just to cope with the occasional traffic jams on summer weekends. They have always said they will build them as needed, and clearly they think they currently need two more.

I've seen aircraft waiting to go on stand near the terminal whilst there were empty stands on more remote areas of the apron up the Eastern end. We've been told that aircraft dont use these because of the need to use bus transfers to the terminal, and there aren't enough buses at peak times to.serve all the stands. Frankly, that's nuts. So perhaps the immediate solution is two more stands and several more buses.with drivers to drive them?

Maybe there will be less need for bus transfers when the extension opens and the entrance to border force is more central, and maybe there'll be enough buses then to serve the remote stands so they can be used by aircraft.

I cannot see the airport going into further debt to build even more stands now unless they have an absolute commitment from an airline that makes it necessary right now, and not just for Saturday afternoons in peak summer when scheduling goes wrong. Plans can change though so we will just have to hope that on this issue, they do, even if it's just two becoming three - or maybe four.

Well put WH.
In addition to what you detailed, additional infrastructure such as buildings, surface facilities, equipment amongst other elements, all require ongoing maintenance and at some point update or replacement. Of itself that can impose substantial ongoing and additional costs to current operations.
Incremental additions and improvements in an era of economic uncertainty must be the way forward. I hate waiting and am not the most patient but needs must.

 

[Len Fish]

Very few businesses would invest in extra standby capacity just to cope with the occasional blip. They need a return on their investment which means utilisation to the full. In LBA’s case I doubt they would invest in new stands just to see them hardly used, they need to be sure they are actually required for normal operations and will be fully used otherwise they’re just lumps of expensive concrete giving little return on the money spent.

 

[LBA4EVER]

Interesting point that currently the only space avai for extra stands and concrete laid is far away from the terminal so not ideal and also means extra buses will be required.

 

[White Heather]

Interesting point that currently the only space avai for extra stands and concrete laid is far away from the terminal so not ideal and also means extra buses will be required.

Several of the new stands locations are directly outside the terminal but beyond the existing apron area, so although they aren't far away at all, passengers will need buses to reach the terminal. Clearly having passengers crossing the apron isn't going to happen. No different though to what we see at many airports. No problem at all if they have enough buses!

 

[Aviador]

Interesting point that currently the only space avai for extra stands and concrete laid is far away from the terminal so not ideal and also means extra buses will be required.

That isn't necessarily the case as the airport could potentially change the layout of the stands in the future to increase the number of stands closer to the terminal or to reduce the need for remote parking.

 

[LBA4EVER]

That isn't necessarily the case as the airport could potentially change the layout of the stands in the future to increase the number of stands closer to the terminal or to reduce the need for remote parking.

I thought the airport had an issue with space avai near to the terminal, i understand the runway is too close to the apron or is it more a case of moving certain buildings and other obstructions to create space?

 

[Aviador]

I thought the airport had an issue with space avai near to the terminal, i understand the runway is too close to the apron or is it more a case of moving certain buildings and other obstructions to create space?

Where the apron is too close is stands 1-5 possibly 6 and this is because it can interfere with the ILS. I would expect in the longer term these stands will probably be used less and less which is probably why the former terminal plans were down at the east end furthest from the runway.

 

[Len Fish]

Aprons always come with strings attached!

 

[radar]

Where the apron is too close is stands 1-5 possibly 6 and this is because it can interfere with the ILS. I would expect in the longer term these stands will probably be used less and less which is probably why the former terminal plans were down at the east end furthest from the runway.

Stands 5 and 6 are fine w.r.t. the ILS. The only issue is with Stand 1, and only with a/c of 737 size as they taxi onto and off of the stand when Runway 14 is in use.

If 2,3 and 4 were ever used again, and a way was found to put 737-sized a/c on them, they might have the same issue. The obvious choice would be to use them for Embraers, ATRs, Jetstreams etc.

 

[Aviador]

More disruption this evening/morning due to ATC restrictions slots and LBA runway closure

Jet2 B737-800 G-JZHS from Antalya is diverting to NCL due runway closure.
Jet2 B737-800 G-GDFW from Dalaman is diverting to LPL

Jet2 B737-300 G-GDFO operating the Faro is night stopping over there

Every airport has runway maintenance from time to time but are we seeing something more substantial here? We know the LBA runway is nearing the end of its life and the airport is already planning to resurface the entire concrete runway with a different surface. Is this more frequent runway work a sign that this work might be needed far sooner than originally planned?

 

[White Heather]

Every airport has runway maintenance from time to time but are we seeing something more substantial here? We know the LBA runway is nearing the end of its life and the airport is already planning to resurface the entire concrete runway with a different surface. Is this more frequent runway work a sign that this work might be needed far sooner than originally planned?

Perhaps a new issue had been discovered (I've seen the Checker out on the runway several times taking a close look at the surface) or perhaps the recent repairs were done on a make do and mend basis, with further works planned to sort it properly and more permanently. The fact that larger aircraft are not permitted to 180 on the runway suggests that there may be further issues to resolve and perhaps some won't wait until the winter night closure.

However, as stated, it's something that happens at all airports and obviously impacts more where there's only the single runway. Hopefully someone ' in the know' will be able to cast light on it.

 

[LBA4EVER]

Perhaps a new issue had been discovered (I've seen the Checker out on the runway several times taking a close look at the surface) or perhaps the recent repairs were done on a make do and mend basis, with further works planned to sort it properly and more permanently. The fact that larger aircraft are not permitted to 180 on the runway suggests that there may be further issues to resolve and perhaps some won't wait until the winter night closure.

However, as stated, it's something that happens at all airports and obviously impacts more where there's only the single runway. Hopefully someone ' in the know' will be able to cast light on it.

Must admit its not just the airport runway that's been repaired, whats with the endless road repairs and line painting at the moment! Not complaining like! Haha

 

[White Heather]

Must admit its not just the airport runway that's been repaired, whats with the endless road repairs and line painting at the moment! Not complaining like! Haha

Someone needs to resurface the road under the runway tunnel. It's shocking. Can't blame the weather under there either!

 

[LBA4EVER]

Someone needs to resurface the road under the runway tunnel. It's shocking. Can't blame the weather under there either!

Yes i agree, under the tunnel it has an awfully rough road surface and heading in the harrogate direction on the left side there is a banking of gravel/muck! Like a dirty track!

 

[The Pole]

Just up at airport and 3 ops vehicles congregated on 14 touch down zone.
Appear to either assessing runway or maybe replacing a centre line light?

 

[LBA4EVER]

Just up at airport and 3 ops vehicles congregated on 14 touch down zone.
Appear to either assessing runway or maybe replacing a centre line light?

I was up there myself again this aft, never saw you! A landing jet2 737 struck a bird just before touchdown, my mate actually saw it hit the aircraft and drop to the floor in abit of a mess! ! Thats why the ops vehicles were in the 14 touchdown zone, it delayed a jet2 737 departure and 2 biz jets which were all in the loop and a small american reg prop plane that had to circle. Must say that the airfield is becoming very busy indeed with non stop movements, all good though!

 

[The Pole]

I was up there myself again this aft, never saw you! A landing jet2 737 struck a bird just before touchdown, my mate actually saw it hit the aircraft and drop to the floor in abit of a mess! ! Thats why the ops vehicles were in the 14 touchdown zone, it delayed a jet2 737 departure and 2 biz jets which were all in the loop and a small american reg prop plane that had to circle. Must say that the airfield is becoming very busy indeed with non stop movements, all good though!

Never saw me? Need your eyes testing. You were with another guy stood nearer to flight path than us.
I was on wall with young un. Waved at you. Was left hanging like i was waving at no one haha. You were looking straight at me or staring down to car park
Oh don't sit on wall a guy there told us off last week! Haha

 

[LBA4EVER]

Never saw me? Need your eyes testing. You were with another guy stood nearer to flight path than us.
I was on wall with young un. Waved at you. Was left hanging like i was waving at no one haha. You were looking straight at me or staring down to car park
Oh don't sit on wall a guy there told us off last week! Haha

Ah come on mr it was very busy with kids running round everywhere haha you could of been waving at anyone haha
Yes i was with my train spotter friend.
As runway 14 was in use today we decided to stay a few hrs

 

[tonysmith]

Just read on google that Doncaster is going to open again with flights by tui

 

[SierraHotel]

Wrong thread!!