LBA Masterplan - 2016 - 2030

[Aviador]

Maybe people don't think it is worth commenting on. Apologies for being cynical.

Seasider you have every reason to be cynical. It has been over a decade since the original masterplan was released. It was noted that NOTHING from the original masterplan was ever completed.

Bridgepoint have dragged their heals through the mud to release their own version of the masterplan. So far it's been nothing more than a paper exercise and people really don't feel their input will make any difference to the future of their local airport.

Only days after Bridgepoint released their version of the masterplan, they then announced plans for a petrol station perilously close to land that could have been used for a parallel taxiway. So far as I can see there was no mention of the petrol station in the masterplan. The airports plans for the petrol station makes absolutely no consideration for the future provision of taxiways.

On a final note about the petrol station. I have no doubt it is within the safe area so far as the CAA are concerned but I'm not convinced. Just because it meets the required distance doesn't make it right to build a petrol station so close to the edge of a runway?

Thoughts?

 

[a300boy]

As would be a housing estate at the other side of the runway within 100 yds of the runway touch down point !

 

[Aviador]

As would be a housing estate at the other side of the runway within 100 yds of the runway touch down point !

I make that 120 yards but you're absolutely right.

 

[White Heather]

Maybe they don't Seasider. May be that at last people accept there is an airport and it needs to expand, that is of value to the Leeds City Region, and rather than try and stand in the way of progress as was the case when I got involved in the 80s, they are happy now to just let them get on with it.
I know that isn't what you mean Seasider and maybe your comment does have an element of cynicism as I would imagine you mean that there is not enough in the plan to warrant any interest. Personally I wouldn't agree (as you would expect). If everything in the plan happens (that should probably be a big IF bearing in mind much of what was in the previous council inspired masterplan didn't ever happen), and LBA does end up with 7m pax, a technology park, cargo area, 3 more apron areas, parallel taxiways and a terminal extension, I will be reasonably happy. It won't be the much requested new terminal, but I cannot see that happening until such time as Bridgepoint decide to sell up to an organisation that is a dedicated airport operator and doesn't have a large portfolio of other projects that are vying for the limited pot of investment money.

 

[airforced]

Now who is being cynical White Heather?

Quite right though.

 

[White Heather]

Aviador, the last (2030) plan for the airfield shows that rather than a parallel taxiway in the vicinity of any petrol station (which would require an extension of the road tunnel to accommodate it), they are planning a link taxiway from the runway (which starts just after the runway crosses the road tunnel) across to the existing loop and it goes nowhere near the proposed petrol station. This allows aircraft to vacate the runway much sooner than now. The taxiway is no nearer to the petrol station than the current taxiway (old North South taxiway) is to the fuel farm. So the proposed petrol station will have no impact at all. I am not saying this is the perfect solution and obviously it is cheaper but less disruptive and more likely therefore to be delivered, whilst still helping the airfield movements. Can you imagine the chaos that would arise from them trying to extend the tunnel to build a taxiway over it, whilst keeping the main access route to the airport open?

 

[Seasider]

Maybe they don't Seasider. May be that at last people accept there is an airport and it needs to expand, that is of value to the Leeds City Region, and rather than try and stand in the way of progress as was the case when I got involved in the 80s, they are happy now to just let them get on with it.
I know that isn't what you mean Seasider and maybe your comment does have an element of cynicism as I would imagine you mean that there is not enough in the plan to warrant any interest. Personally I wouldn't agree (as you would expect). If everything in the plan happens (that should probably be a big IF bearing in mind much of what was in the previous council inspired masterplan didn't ever happen), and LBA does end up with 7m pax, a technology park, cargo area, 3 more apron areas, parallel taxiways and a terminal extension, I will be reasonably happy. It won't be the much requested new terminal, but I cannot see that happening until such time as Bridgepoint decide to sell up to an organisation that is a dedicated airport operator and doesn't have a large portfolio of other projects that are vying for the limited pot of investment money.

The thought that was crossing my mind was this:
"They achieved very little from the previous plan, so no point in objecting to something that will not happen."
Now that is being cynical!!

I was optimistic when Bridgeport took over that the region would get the airport it merited. They have achieved quite a lot, especially with the route network, but they could have received a lot more despite the recession. I think it shows that Bridgeport bought LBA to tart it up and sell quickly at a big profit. The recession put paid to that and they are wanting to sell again at the earliest opportunity therefore only spending what they have to.

 

[lbaspotter]

Have you got proof that Bridgepoint Capital PLC want to sell Leeds/Bradford Airport. As I've seen no evidence to prove that also the is no for sale sign up as far as I can see.
And before anyone says it, "Yeah I know every company is for sale all the time", but it has to be at the right price!

 

[White Heather]

As Bridgepoint are an investment company, buying businesses, improving their value and selling at a profit is what they do, and there is little doubt that when they consider the time is right, they are likely to do the same with LBA, as they did previously with Birmingham Airport. Under their ownership Birmingham made steady progress over a number of years, but since it was sold by Bridgepoint its progress has been verging on spectacular. Would that the same happened with LBA. I think that Seasider is right - but so is lbaspotter. They will sell eventually, and I don't think they will ever spend huge amounts because it isn't really what investment companies do. If they invest too heavily, they will have to hang on to the airport for many more years to recover their investment. Smaller capital expediture with gradual improvements seems to be their method which is far less risky. As lbaspotter said though, there is no evidence that they are intending to sell now.

 

[Seasider]

Have you got proof that Bridgepoint Capital PLC want to sell Leeds/Bradford Airport. As I've seen no evidence to prove that also the is no for sale sign up as far as I can see.
And before anyone says it, "Yeah I know every company is for sale all the time", but it has to be at the right price!

I have no proof whatsoever. They are just my thoughts based on what has happened since they bought LBA - and having a keen interest in the Airline industry for 50 years.

 

[Seasider]

What's the latest on the release of the final Masterplan?

 

[Aviador]

 

[White Heather]

What's the latest on the release of the final Masterplan?

Following the completion of the consultation period, and after the airport had completed any adjustments it considered necessary as a result (and I have no idea if there were any or not), it was referred back to Leeds City Council for final comment before the final version is published. I believe it is due for publication within the next month or so.

 

[Tarn Spotter]

Not sure was right to call a "Plan", surely like Mrs May's 12 point Brexit, its a "strategy" i.e. Plan of action to acheive a long term aim, will be adjusted in light of new circumstances.
A Plan is a set of decisions you put in place.

 

[White Heather]

Isn't that splitting hairs a little? You just said yourself that a strategy is a 'plan of action, ergo it's a plan. Plans are just that. Plans or proposals. Not all parts of a plan are guaranteed to happen as circumstances can change. The sale of the airport, the Icelandic Volcano and the Economic downturn all helped to de-rail a lot of the previous plan although frankly it was always full of many proposals that would never happen, particularly given the intention of the local authority to sell.