Leeds Bradford - General Thread

[rmac]

Covered walkway:
Last summer when flying LBA to Palma the terminal was pretty full, the sun streaming in and everyone hot and sticky and dressed for the heat of Majorca but during our walk to the aircraft for a few minutes the heavens opened and we ran or rushed to the plane, puddles everywhere, etc and by the time we were in the plane we were soaked. A covered walkway would have been a great help. It is also useful when returning to be protected from gales and rain if a walk is required. In fact how much would it really be to actually build a "satelite" departure lounge area with a gate or two which would also relieve conjestion in the terminal?

 

[Aviador]

wawkrk - I have re written my previous so hopefully it's easier to understand. (The joys of getting up at 3:30 in the morning - writing dribble nobody can understand )

White Heather

I understand where 'WYIA' and 'wawkrk' are coming from. LBA wasn't planned very well as we all know and even the newest 'bits' were built by the council without any thought or planning for the future. Some airports else where in Europe have dedicated channels leading to and from the aircraft. One example of this that I have seen is in Gran Canaria. When you arrive you exit via an air bridge, immediately after reaching the top of the air bridge you join an arrivals walkway which is completely sectioned off by a glass door. The arrivals walkway slopes down towards the main arrivals concourse well away from the departing passengers. Once the aircraft is ready to depart the glass door section is opened and the arrivals section is closed so no passengers can mix.

Unfortunately at LBA although there are two corridors you have to cross the inner corridor to get to the outer corridor. There's no permanent partition to segregate arriving and departing passengers. Or putting it another way, if an aircraft is boarding on air bridge 7 any other departing or arriving passengers on either side of the walkway need to wait for the passengers to cross the walkway before they can continue to either board another flight or go towards international arrivals. During busy times this can cause significant delays. I don't know if any part of the terminal development will incorporate measures to improve this.

 

[wawkrk]

I was not trying to criticise the airport, god forbid. The previous Ludite councils can take the blame for the present state. I was trying to understand the reasoning behind the segregation.
There are many airports worldwide where passengers mix, not just Amsterdam.LBA maybe different seeing that many potential terrorists probably live not far away.

 

[WYIA]

I must also add that passenger mixing in amsterdam has in no way caused the recent security issues. Its just so funny how at small uk airports, and even some larger ones inbound and outbound pax are not allowed to see or touch each other lol! arghhh!!! like they are infected. its just so dumb!

The terminal design you mention in LPA Aviador is very simple and works just great! No messing, you can even have the outbound pax ready in a line!

 

[Aviador]

On the main index page we have a 'focus airport' that we run each month. I'm looking at changing the current 'focus airport' shortly and I am looking at having one for LBA. If anyone is interested in writing a paragraph or two about LBA click on the link below and have a go.

topic1060-15.html

The focus airport' is viewable to guest users, so between 200 and 600 people view it daily!

 

[White Heather]

Aviador, it is to be hoped that the terminal expansion does resolve the issues you describe, otherwise it is not going to be a very good job. I would hope that whatever Phase 1 includes it incorporates alterations that increase efficiency and remove obstacles such as you describe.

 

[Aviador]

Does any one know why part of taxiway Alpha was closed yesterday near the fire station?

 

[backtrack]

Does any one know why part of taxiway Alpha was closed yesterday near the fire station?

Indeed, it was closed due to new paint to be layed for stand one for when an aircraft is to be parked nose out. The aircraft now follows the yellow line and a marshaller will be there to tell him when to stop as normal.

 

[BigMac]

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me what time the last departure is for everyday in winter please?

Thanks Guys and Gals

 

[lbaspotter]

Hi all,

Can anyone tell me what time the last departure is for everyday in winter please?

Thanks Guys and Gals

Hi this might be some help to you. My online LBA Winter 2010/11 Timetable is now online and can be viewed here. http://www.lbaspotters.net/winter201011timetable.htm

Here listed below are last departures of each day in the winter
Mondays: T34707 @ 20:45 to Teeside
Tuesdays: T34707 @ 20:45 to Teeside
Wednesdays: T34707 @ 20:45 to Teeside
Thursdays: T34707 @ 20:45 to Teeside
Fridays: TOM531P @ 20:50 to Teeside
Saturdays: PIA775 @ 19:30 to Islamabad
Sundays: FR157 @ 20:00 to Dublin

 

[Aviador]

It must be the first time in years since the last departure was scheduled as early as 20:00 every day.

 

[BigMac]

Thank you. I'd been told the departures were all done by 2000 but didn't belive it! I owe someone an apology haha

 

[wawkrk]

On April 4th 2011, the airport will have been under new ownership for four years.
Has anyone noticed the airport had a change of ownership?
What has improved in this time?

Terminal congestion is worse.
The fixtures and fittings are falling into further disrepair at an alarming rate.
Escalators no longer work.
The runway is like a cobbled street.
The website which costs next to nothing is worse than ever, Aviador could have produced a new one in one week.
The management seem to be invisible and just sit on their big salaries.

The transfer from dire public ownership to private ownership has been so seamless, nobody has noticed the change. All we ever hear are excuses and it all takes time etc. etc. etc.,whatever.

Everything is true as I predicted after the takeover when I was shot down in flames by some of the airport worshippers on this website.

The sooner Bridgepoint sell, the better. They are like an antidote to dynamic.If I ran my business like this, I would be bankrupt.

 

[WYIA]

I agree, so bad and i just dont think the plans for the terminal are the right ones. Have to say, i flew from manchester on my hols and it was a pleasure.

 

[White Heather]

Wawkrk wrote:

On April 4th 2011, the airport will have been under new ownership for four years.
Has anyone noticed the airport had a change of ownership?
What has improved in this time?

Terminal congestion is worse.
The fixtures and fittings are falling into further disrepair at an alarming rate.
Escalators no longer work.
The runway is like a cobbled street.
The website which costs next to nothing is worse than ever, Aviador could have produced a new one in one week.
The management seem to be invisible and just sit on their big salaries.

The transfer from dire public ownership to private ownership has been so seamless, nobody has noticed the change. All we ever hear are excuses and it all takes time etc. etc. etc.,whatever.

Everything is true as I predicted after the takeover when I was shot down in flames by some of the airport worshippers on this website.

The sooner Bridgepoint sell, the better. They are like an antidote to dynamic.If I ran my business like this, I would be bankrupt.

Well, at the risk of being labelled an 'airport worshipper', I would like to comment on the above as follows:

1. Yes terminal congestion is worse - the penalty for having more flights to more destinations, which (forgive me if I am wrong) is what everyone was demanding. I imagine that if you had offered people a lot more flights and congestion in the terminal, or wait for years until the terminal was developed and only then start trying to get more flights, eveyone would have asked for more flights first. We all need to get real - nobody will develop a terminal and then just hope to get the services needed to justify it. That isn't how things work. Ask Peel Holdings at Doncaster! The services are now on board that justify the terminal and despite your cynicism, I remain convinced that the development will shortly get underway.

2. Fixtures and fittings are falling into disrepair - I will take your word for it wawkrk, but they are fine in the parts of ther terminal I have been to. There is no excuse for this however, even if the terminal is to be developed, especially the escalators.

3. The runway may be like a cobbled street, but it has always been that way and since it is the only runway we have what do you suggest? Shut the airport down and replace it with a nice smooth tarmac runway which aircraft can slide off (a la Bristol?). Repairs were undertaken last winter and I understand again this winter. The runway is the way it is because that is how Bridgepoint's predecessors built it, partly due to weather conditions at LBA and the need for a fast water run off, and they left it to deteriorate. At least they are trying to do something about it as and when the opportunity arises. You can't fix the runway in summer as doing so closes the airport, so winter is the only opportunity.

Regarding the web site - I totally agree. Its rubbish - end of story - an embarrassment to the airport - and it needs to be sorted. I have written to the airport twice about it this week.

I fail to see how you can say the airport management are 'invisible'. Tony Hallwood is anything but and has been regularly seen on TV and heard on radio. He has done a fine job getting the likes of PIA, Ryanair and now Easyjet in, whilst still increasing the operations by Jet2 and Thomas Cook, against a downward spiral within the industry. Most airports have lost a lot of passengers, yet LBA hasn't. Who do you think is getting these carriers to come to LBA? They don't just turn up as if by magic! The directors have jobs to do and they are doing them. There is no requirement to do them in public all the time just to convince us all that they are earning their salaries. I am quite sure that if they were not doing their jobs, they would be removed. I have seen the evidence of what they do when attending Consultative Committee meetings. You can't just make claims like this when you have no idea what they are doing behind the scenes.

Incidentally, you have ignored a number of improvements in and around the airport, presumably because this would dilute your arguments against Bridgepoint, but lets just remember they have funded a complete re-work of the car park, built more long stay car parks, funded the Dynley Arms cross roads improvements, funded the traffic calming on Scotland Lane, funded a residents parking scheme and funded public transport to and from the airport, all as demanded as part of the terminal planning approval. Perhaps if they didn't spend as much time running around jumping through hoops for Leeds City Council, doing things the Council never bothered to do, they might have more time to sort out other issues. They would hardly be likely to be paying out large sums of money to comply with the planning requirements if they do not even intend to develop the terminal.

I know I am now going to be labelled an 'airport worshipper', although I would question that label given that I am quite prepared to, and frequently do, have a go at the airport in writing and at the Consultative Committee, when the need arises, which I admit has been quite often. Even so, at least we do now have a terminal development in the wings waiting to happen, which is more than can be said previously.

Despite all its failings, I would fly from Manchester or any other airport as a last resort. The more people that do that, the longer it will take to get LBA's issues sorted out. As for 4 years being a long time, I don't think so, and in my view Bridgepoint have actually done a great deal compared to when the Council's ran the place.

Perhaps, Wawkrk, you should write to Mr Parkin at the airport and put your views to him? He has regularly complained that he cannot deal with queries or complaints if he is not invited to do so. I am sure he would be happy to put forward his views and observations, particularly relating to the performance of his staff. If you do, perhaps you would like to put your letter and his response on here so we can all see it?

 

[wawkrk]

Heather,
You are clinging to the wreckage which I can understand to a certain extent in order to preserve your good relationship with the management.However,your words have a hollow ring to them. Too liitle has been done and too late.
The improvements you mention would be expected by the local village council not an International Airport.
I think you will find over the next few days, you stand alone with your views.
Bridgepoint will soon become history.They are not developers, they are investors and this time they came unstuck.
Check out dried plum for more comments.

 

[rmac]

Wawkrk.

No, I have to agree with Heathers very balanced post. LBA is not my local airport but I have used it several times and find it to be quite acceptable for an airport handling around 3m per year. For instance I used Bremen last week, so similar in size, with a big Ryanair presence now. There were good and not so good aspects about this airport, as is the case with LBA, but as in all cases the more who use the airport the more cash is available to make improvements. An excellent tram system is in place at Bremen and certainly something which LBA could do with, but then that is outwith LBA management and more to do with Leeds City Council.

 

[lbaspotter]

Yeah I agree with Wawkak that not everything is right, But as White Heather says It’s not all been bad under Bridgepoint, Would LBA have had the following services without Tony Hallwood’s expertise.

Ryanair launching 17 new routes & baseing 2 aircraft at the airport, Easyjet intoducing a New route to Geneva, PIA quickly replaced the failed Shaheen Air, Islamabad service and Jet2 continue to use LBA despite all the new compertition by rival low cost airlines. Flybe replaced bmi on the London route. Yes its to Gatwick and not to Heathrow but hell that was better than nothing at all. Who in there right mind would have paid out for slots at Heathrow??

LBA has had its best growth in passenger figures in the last 9 months than that it ever had under the previous council owners. Its expected to hit the 3 million pax mark this year for the first time ever due to the fact that airlines and operators are still growing at LBA this winter season.

I really do feel some people are never happy and have short term memories. I remember the days of when LBA was struggling with 1 million pax a year back in the Mid 90’s, before the opening hours restrictions were lifted in 1996. Come on, LBA has come along way in the last 15 years or so.. Dont you think?

 

[wawkrk]

Bringing in more pax is not exactly what I am talking about. Tony Hallwood is a bright star amongst a lot of dead wood.
I am talking about the state of the airport. LBA grows mostly because of it's location despite transport links being poor.
The place is a shambles end of story.

 

[pc73]

off topic but what is the dried plum web address?