Using Leeds Bradford Airport Questions & Reviews

[Finger66]

It's not like LBA don't know and recognise the issues. The whole tender and completion process takes time, but it's a process that is under way. Someone else posted that the whole plans look amazing. Would also agree with another poster, think @Aviador re advertising the potential works/images within the airport itself to highlight improvements are coming

 

[BCFC]

Arrived back yesterday and it was pretty subpar as per…

I knew this probably would be the case after checking how many flights were going to arrive within our arrival period, 4 Jet2’s, 5 or 6 Ryanair’s including a Lauda, KLM and Balkan (European air charter). At that moment I decided not to tell my partner I felt it was going to be poor experience just so I could get her genuine reaction to the arrival experience.

A bit of context - she’s from South Yorkshire but lived In London for a fair chunk of her adult life. We’ve been away many times together using a multitude of airports but miraculously it was her first time using LBA.

We landed runway 14 at around 1620 and after taxiing down delta we turned onto November taxiway and stopped. Most stands were occupied and there was a Ryanair on our stand nearing readiness to push. After 5-10 mins the stand was vacated, we parked and everyone for some reason always stand up to await disembarkation. After what seemed and age in a hot aircraft the captain came onto the PA to inform us of the lack of busses and that most of the passengers stood should sit back down, they elected to start the APU so the air con would work.

Around 15 minutes later the busses rolled up and took us from stand 9 or 10 to the arrivals door adjacent to stand 5. No escalator working (taped off) and passengers queuing out of the as mentioned previously small entrance door. Another 30 minutes to get through the border before being hit with absolute bedlam in the baggage hall, LBA or possibly Swissport/Jet2 had been forced to shut down the carousels due to the amount of bags coming through, I can only presume the passengers who were stuck on aircraft awaiting busses or in the border queue were unable to collect their bags quick enough before more bags arrived from later arriving flights, I’ve never seen it as bad to be honest. Bags of all sizes strewn across the floor with a frantic looking Jet2 lady trying to orchestrate the baying mob of a Jet2 flight that had seemingly landed an hour previous. Lucky enough our bags were in a somewhat organised pile close by the exit doors enabling us to escape the mess - home to a welcome sofa and a brew of Yorkshires finest.

Conclusion, nothing we don’t already know, LBA arrivals is a shambles, no doubt because of the overwhelming volume of fights arriving in quick succession albeit this happens day in day out within the summer period, I hope our experience was simply out of the ordinary or a freak.

For what’s it’s worth as a non aviation follower but keen traveller my partner was astonished at how small LBA is especially considering the size of the region it serves and more so the state it’s in… for me the development cannot come soon enough!

The famous escalator not working again, but they claim it does but it has to have a member of staff there but to the bottleneck at the top, Health & Safty they say.
SO WHY NOT PUT A MEMBER OF STAFF ON IT AT BUSY TIMES OF THE DAY!
The airport is going backwards.

 

[Easy289]

Re the aforementioned "amazing plans" ,does anyone have access to these?

 

[White Heather]

The famous escalator not working again, but they claim it does but it has to have a member of staff there but to the bottleneck at the top, Health & Safty they say.
SO WHY NOT PUT A MEMBER OF STAFF ON IT AT BUSY TIMES OF THE DAY!
The airport is going backwards.

That isn't the case.

It's turned off because there is insufficient room for passengers arriving at the top to merge into the passengers coming up the stairs, leading to people on the escalator not being able to get off safely.

Putting airport staff at the top would do nothing to resolve the problem - one that didn't exist many years ago when LBA were lucky to have 500k passengers a year and a Viscount arriving every hour or so . But it's a real H&S problem now with the HSE breathing down the airports necks. There is no way of enlarging the area at the top of the escalator/stairs. The lift remains available but most people don't opt to use it and just moan about the escalator instead!

As the airport CEO has said, given the amount of complaining people do about an escalator not working, they would very much prefer it to work if it was allowed. There's nothing wrong with it but for the most part they are not allowed to turn it on.

The airport were looking into slowing down the escalator as a possible solution. The fact it's out of use again suggests that didn't work, or the HSE were still not happy.

Once again it's a problem that will cease to exist when the extension is completed. The escalator has been out of use most of the time for years so your assertion that this issue means LBA is going backwards makes little sense. It's patently obvious that the opposite applies, which is why the terminal issues are increasingly apparent.

Re the aforementioned "amazing plans" ,does anyone have access to these?

No.
They have not yet been made public.

 

[BCFC]

That isn't the case.

It's turned off because there is insufficient room for passengers arriving at the top to merge into the passengers coming up the stairs, leading to people on the escalator not being able to get off safely.

Putting airport staff at the top would do nothing to resolve the problem - one that didn't exist many years ago when LBA were lucky to have 500k passengers a year and a Viscount arriving every hour or so . But it's a real H&S problem now with the HSE breathing down the airports necks. There is no way of enlarging the area at the top of the escalator/stairs. The lift remains available but most people don't opt to use it and just moan about the escalator instead!

As the airport CEO has said, given the amount of complaining people do about an escalator not working, they would very much prefer it to work if it was allowed. There's nothing wrong with it but for the most part they are not allowed to turn it on.

The airport were looking into slowing down the escalator as a possible solution. The fact it's out of use again suggests that didn't work, or the HSE were still not happy.

Once again it's a problem that will cease to exist when the extension is completed. The escalator has been out of use most of the time for years so your assertion that this issue means LBA is going backwards makes little sense. It's patently obvious that the opposite applies, which is why the terminal issues are increasingly apparent.


No.
They have not yet been made public.

When and if you mean...how long has this been going on, a so called international airport with a double-leaf door and an escalator they can't turn on as an arrival for passengers, If DSA does reopen WIzz and TUI will be back there in a flash, it's embarrassing.

 

[LBA787]

You seem to ignore the fact that often, it's the airlines not running to schedule that causes the problem to be exacerbated. If they pick up delays, or arrive ahead of schedule, both of which occur regularly, then aircraft can all arrive together. Any airport can struggle in that scenario. Is that the fault of LBA or the airline?

Similarly, passengers dragging their heels in the terminal and delaying boarding can lead to delay in aircraft vacating the stand - sometimes by a lengthy time if they miss their ATC slot. That's not the airport management's fault either.

To offload all the 189 pax off a 737 800 and leave them packed into the coaches waiting to get into the terminal would be more unacceptable to passengers than sitting in the aircraft. It would also be a very inefficient use of the coaches and they would need quite a few additional ones if they spend half their time stood idle with a full load of passengers.

There is no easy answer. Each option has benefits to some and not others. If all flights turned up on time, the problems would lessen, but that would be a minor miracle. These are not problems unique to LBA though, although sometimes you would think they were.

As for the airline and it's crew - they face delays every day they work. It's part of the job, and the flight deck crew are well paid to do it. The airlines clearly aren't bothered as much as you think, given they are increasing LBA ops year on year, knowing full well that doing so will, for the time being, lead to delays at peak times. As long as the passengers keep booking, they'll keep flying.

Out of interest have you ever actually worked at LBA?

Well said WH. Too many people on here continue to bash LBA at the first given opportunity. Plans are afoot to rectify the problem and as these things take time we should all have a little more patience. We are still at best 2 years post-pandemic which set a lot of things back, not just with LBS. We should celebrate the way LBA has bounced back and it won't be long before we have a terminal to be proud of

Its called constructive criticism.

We all want and deserve a better airport experience, I’m simply pointing out valid issues I witnessed on Saturday. Yes there’s a new arrivals building coming but to simply suggest we just deal with what we’ve got until then just doesn’t cut it for me.

 

[Finger66]

Well I never thought I would say that someone who was BCFC would talk so much **** but there you are as part of this pitiful LBA bashing. This is going to get sorted, it just isn’t great at the moment. We all know that and don’t need to go on about it. @BCFC, is @LBAEVER your brother by any chance!!

@LBA787 yes I have, albeit over 30 years ago now

 

[LBA787]

It’s not bashing when it’s valid. Last year departures was horrendous and very publicly highlighted in the media! If we’re not careful the arrival process could follow suit.

Moving forward - last summers departures experience was alleviated this summer with additional staff within security, it’s now pretty good albeit tightly packed due to space constraints. I’m simply not as accepting as some that nothing can be done about the arrivals process to bridge the gap between now and the terminal remodel.

 

[White Heather]

Out of interest have you ever actually worked at LBA?


Its called constructive criticism.

We all want and deserve a better airport experience, I’m simply pointing out valid issues I witnessed on Saturday. Yes there’s a new arrivals building coming but to simply suggest we just deal with what we’ve got until then just doesn’t cut it for me.

Not that it's really relevant, but no, I haven't. But I have been on the Airport Consultative Committee some 34 years, and my job as a building project manager and other building management related jobs means I understand the restrictions arising from construction methods , H&S legislation and plenty more that impacts on LBA. I also understand that the only way they can enhance the arrivals process (beyond the extension they are planning) would involve extending the terminal out into the apron, requiring planning approval, causing mayhem for aircraft on the ground, and reducing stand capacity further.

Everything I say on here is based on the discussions at the Consultative Committee. It seems though that there are some who think more can be done but without ever saying what. Whatever their ideas are, it has to be within the confines of the existing building and has to be done in shorter time than the terminal extension. It also has to satisfy building regulations and Fire Regulations

I am sure that the airports management team would be happy to hear what changes they could make that they are missing!

 

[LBA4EVER]

If someone has posted that the plans look amazing then when will the

Well I never thought I would say that someone who was BCFC would talk so much **** but there you are as part of this pitiful LBA bashing. This is going to get sorted, it just isn’t great at the moment. We all know that and don’t need to go on about it. @BCFC, is @LBAEVER your brother by any chance!!

@LBA787 yes I have, albeit over 30 years ago now

Wow have you heard yourself finger66, u wanna calm it right down, chillax!
If truths known Many on here including myself are so bloody annoyed by the shocking infrastructure that LBA has! We now have a situation here where airlines currently at LBA are expanding (good thing i agree) but yet the airport just cant cope, its been on the cards this for years even before the plandemic but yet nothing was done about it, during most parts of the day in the summer season we are now seeing an arrival every 15mins on average even in the early hrs when the med flights return, so between 150-200pax every 15mins passing thru 2 30inch wide doors and up a single flight of steps, crazy.
Like i previously mentioned the terminal plans inc apron expansion which certainly needs upmost priority had better be amazing or else the bad stigma remains both with pax and potential new airlines. Ask yourself why LH, AF And the like aint at LBA, its so obvious, The truth hurts sometimes.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Can we please stick to the topic and avoid personal comments about members. Everyone has their right to their opinion and are perfectly at liberty to state their views, just so long as it doesn't spill over into insults to members.

 

[Finger66]

Apologies therefore to anyone I may have offended in any of my recent comments. And yes as ever it does all boil down to our passion for LBA and as WH basically says I am sure LBA know what they are doing and also let’s hope the plans are as amazing as rumoured

 

[LBA4EVER]

Apologies therefore to anyone I may have offended in any of my recent comments. And yes as ever it does all boil down to our passion for LBA and as WH basically says I am sure LBA know what they are doing and also let’s hope the plans are as amazing as rumoured

Im cool finger66, your correct it does boil down to passion for LBA, we get frustrated because we just want the best out of our airport.

 

[White Heather]

Im cool finger66, your correct it does boil down to passion for LBA, we get frustrated because we just want the best out of our airport. It

We all do. But sometimes what's do-able and what we want are two different things. Finally, we have owners who are going to do something, and something big. Not just a makeover. Something that will make a huge difference. Something to seriously upset the anti airport idiots. Such projects take time, especially when the recovery from a pandemic wasn't assured and with the airports coffers severely emptied.

Now isn't time to start all over knocking the airport, or it's owners. Leave that to the airport haters. There is no quick solution to the goddamn escalator. If there was, it would be working. Nor to the pathetic baggage reclaim without building an extension to the terminal. And guess what? That's what they are about to do.

So let's just look forward to a good future and stop complaining about what cannot be fixed overnight. Focus on the fact the airport has recovered faster than most, and yes, that has brought about problems just as it has in the past. The current owners have recognised that, and are going to sort it. So let's give them the chance.

 

[Aviador]

However good the plans are we are more likely to see escalators being taken out and replaced with steps than new working escalators put in place due to the constraints of the building. The airport planners are likely going to be using people simulations to determine where stress points will likely occur to avoid the problems of the past and to establish future stress points.

 

[GolfFox]

In the short term if the status quo pertains, the situation may unfortunately be self regulating. Although LBA supporters will probably put up with it, pax. with no such allegiance will book from other airports if they continue to have very poor experiences and reduction in demand will logically result in reduction in flights and passengers. Bingo - terminal problem solved!!! My gut feeling tells me that although it is 'flying' along at the moment this is also a very dangerous time for LBA!!! I think the idea to get the message over that extensions are underway by internal posters/messages etc. is a good one.

 

[White Heather]

In the short term if the status quo pertains, the situation may unfortunately be self regulating. Although LBA supporters will probably put up with it, pax. with no such allegiance will book from other airports if they continue to have very poor experiences and reduction in demand will logically result in reduction in flights and passengers. Bingo - terminal problem solved!!! My gut feeling tells me that although it is 'flying' along at the moment this is also a very dangerous time for LBA!!! I think the idea to get the message over that extensions are underway by internal posters/messages etc. is a good one.

Ultimately, it's often not good at any airport. Most have issues. If LBA is convenient and avoids long distance travel, passengers will still use it. The ones we could lose are those travelling here from other areas who could just as easily go elsewhere.

We had all these issues back in 2017 when we hit 4 million pax. And again last year post pandemic. Yet here we are, with a very busy year ahead and passenger numbers heading back towards 2017 levels.

However good the plans are we are more likely to see escalators being taken out and replaced with steps than new working escalators put in place due to the constraints of the building. The airport planners are likely going to be using people simulations to determine where stress points will likely occur to avoid the problems of the past and to establish future stress points.

There will be no need for escalators in the terminal extension for arrivals - we will see if the one in departures stays or goes. My understanding from the original 2017 plans was that the one between border force and baggage reclaim would remain (or be renewed) but heading rather than down. Things may have changed under the revised plans.

However good the plans are we are more likely to see escalators being taken out and replaced with steps than new working escalators put in place due to the constraints of the building. The airport planners are likely going to be using people simulations to determine where stress points will likely occur to avoid the problems of the past and to establish future stress points.

There will be no need for escalators in the terminal extension for arrivals - we will see if the one in departures stays or goes. My understanding from the original 2017 plans was that the one between border force and baggage reclaim would remain (or be renewed) but heading rather than down. Things may have changed under the revised plans.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

In the short term if the status quo pertains, the situation may unfortunately be self regulating. Although LBA supporters will probably put up with it, pax. with no such allegiance will book from other airports if they continue to have very poor experiences and reduction in demand will logically result in reduction in flights and passengers. Bingo - terminal problem solved!!! My gut feeling tells me that although it is 'flying' along at the moment this is also a very dangerous time for LBA!!! I think the idea to get the message over that extensions are underway by internal posters/messages etc. is a good one.

I agree, the message needs to be 'got across' that the current situation is only temporary. I agree passengers will book from other airports and also spread negative reports on social media.

 

[Easy289]

I've messaged the marketing dept in respect of the potential merits of advertising the impending terminal extension, ideally both internally and externally.

 

[dmrodgers]

I agree here with previous comments that the airport need to be informing travellers by means information boards and posters that the whole experience is about to get better with the new terminal extension. I have friends who live within 2 miles of the airport in Yeadon, yet after bad experiences at LBA with crowding in the terminal both outbound and inbound will not fly from the airport anymore and are happy to travel over the hill. I keep telling them MAN also has issues but the response I get back are the facilities are far better, the terminal has more space so doesn't seem cramped like LBA. Somehow we have to find a solution, albeit temporary, until the extension is built. I'm sure distance is not the issue, those living further away are more likely to travel to another airport, for example people in Hull only need to travel a further 15 miles to get to EMA. I just hope that White Heather can come back with some positive news this week from the meeting of a potential date when work will commence, it can't come soon enough.