Leeds Bradford - General Thread

[JRP]

Anyone see Blue Sky live today, the Ryanair max to Alicante took it from Delta

 

[White Heather]

Anyone see Blue Sky live today, the Ryanair max to Alicante took it from Delta

Yes, I was watching. Not much concrete left at all when it rotated.

 

[Len Fish]

Just watched it. Obviously within the aircraft’s capabilities with whatever load of passengers and fuel it was carrying but you have to ask why when using the full runway would give that extra margin of safety. Just had to be Ryanair though!

 

[Severn]

LBA - Winter 25/26 Airfield Operating Times

Not sure if it’s been mentioned already, but there’s an Operational Notice available on the ACL website with new operating hours for this coming winter (and a note to expect the same next winter too).
The notice states that from the 27th October 2025 (the start of winter according to IATA), due to essential works, the airfield operating hours will be the following:

• Mon- Fri - closed from 23:00 to 06:00
• Sat & Sun - closed from 23:59 to 06:00

The Christmas period is still TBC.

Wonder if this will affect the schedules of based airlines (Jet2, Ryanair), and how it compares to previous winters. Less fights due to having to be back at LBA by 23:00? No change as the winter schedule is less busy than the summer where most arrivals are after 23:00?

 

[Finger66]

Think this is exactly the same as the previous few winters. Anyone able to confirm?

 

[White Heather]

LBA - Winter 25/26 Airfield Operating Times

Not sure if it’s been mentioned already, but there’s an Operational Notice available on the ACL website with new operating hours for this coming winter (and a note to expect the same next winter too).
The notice states that from the 27th October 2025 (the start of winter according to IATA), due to essential works, the airfield operating hours will be the following:

• Mon- Fri - closed from 23:00 to 06:00
• Sat & Sun - closed from 23:59 to 06:00

The Christmas period is still TBC.

Wonder if this will affect the schedules of based airlines (Jet2, Ryanair), and how it compares to previous winters. Less fights due to having to be back at LBA by 23:00? No change as the winter schedule is less busy than the summer where most arrivals are after 23:00?

Not much change. No doubt for further runway repairs overnight.

 

[SierraHotel]

Any news on when the runway resurfacing project will begin?

 

[White Heather]

Any news on when the runway resurfacing project will begin?

No. None at all, but supposedly before the end of the decade, and not until all the current repairs are completed.

 

[gcoabc1]

Yes, I was watching. Not much concrete left at all when it rotated.

Close!! You could hear the piano keys playing “ bye bye baby, baby goodbye”. God above that song dates me.

 

[SierraHotel]

Based on how displaced the 14 threshold, plenty of concrete left!!!!

 

[Aviador]

Based on how displaced the 14 threshold, plenty of concrete left!!!!

About 300m from that point.The available concrete from that point will be similar to the runway pre extension. I've seen worse. I once saw a visiting 737-400 use the full runway length and of course PIA and also Shaheen Air dipping into the valley at the Horsforth end before finally rising. That was scary.

 

[LBA4EVER]

Just watched it. Obviously within the aircraft’s capabilities with whatever load of passengers and fuel it was carrying but you have to ask why when using the full runway would give that extra margin of safety. Just had to be Ryanair though!

Lets remember though before the runway was extended in 1984 thats roughly the available length we used to have plus todays ALC flight was a max8 with super big engines, still though if i was a pax id be abit on edge!
A Few weeks back or so blueskylive were filming and a jet2 to cyprus lifted off slightly later than the ryanair yest and that used the full length of runway 32!

 

[White Heather]

Based on how displaced the 14 threshold, plenty of concrete left!!!!

Who said it was airborne by the 14 threshold? Watching on BSLA it seems to be very much on the ground at that point.

 

[Aviador]

Who said it was airborne by the 14 threshold? Watching on BSLA it seems to be very much on the ground at that point.

I would say the aircraft was airborne by the piano keys with positive lift. Really nothing to see here.

 

[White Heather]

That, in my book, is very near the end. Seemed to be an unnecessary risk should any problem have arisen during the take off run. I noticed today that Blue Sky Aviation have a video of the departure which turned up on Google News.

 

[Aviador]

That, in my book, is very near the end. Seemed to be an unnecessary risk should any problem have arisen during the take off run.

I think the concern comes from knowing the aircraft started its takeoff roll from Delta. Had the aircraft commenced its roll from the start of the runway would it have attracted as much attention? Probably not. At the same time knowing where the aircraft became airborne was it the right thing to start the takeoff roll from delta probably not. Was it unsafe? Maybe, maybe not? Hopefully one of our resident pilots could answer that? @pilot_737

 

[White Heather]

I think the concern comes from knowing the aircraft started its takeoff roll from Delta. Had the aircraft commenced its roll from the start of the runway would it have attracted as much attention? Probably not. At the same time knowing where the aircraft become airborne was it the right thing to start the takeoff roll from delta probably not. Was it unsafe? Maybe, maybe not? Hopefully one of our resident pilots could answer that? @pilot_737

It may be viewed as safe and clearly the calculations showed it was feasible. It just seems to leave little room for manoeuvre in the event that anything goes wrong. It may well have been the 1st MAX to depart from Delta - not sure. It certainly doesn't happen often with aircraft if that size and I believe it was heading to ALC, so probably a decent load too.

 

[louis_walton]

Visit to LBA – First Impressions of the New Terminal

I flew out of Leeds Bradford Airport on Wednesday morning for a day trip to Dublin and had the chance to experience the new terminal. First impressions: it definitely has the feel of a more modern, international airport. That said, it’s clear the terminal is still very much a work in progress. Personally, I think the opening was premature, there’s a lot still under construction, and the overall departures-to-arrivals experience lacks the polish you'd expect from a fully operational facility.

However, one standout for me was the improved apron views. In the past, LBA always felt like an airport constrained by its limitations, very much a Jet2, KLM, and Ryanair operation with minimal variation (morning departures, barely any arrivals, waiting for all the based aircraft to return home). But on Wednesday morning, I was able to watch Wizz Air A321 arrivals while Jet2 737-800s were holding short of the runway, something about that scene really gave off the vibe of a true international airport.

(We are definitely going forwards back to the variation of airlines, my favourite summers were the Jet2, Ryanair, Monarch, and TUI summers)

Even around the city, I’ve noticed more Wizz Air and easyJet aircraft overhead lately, which adds to the growing sense that LBA is stepping up. The progress may feel slow at times, but when you pay attention to the small changes, they really do add up. I spotted the new aircraft stands under construction—hopefully a sign of expanded services from Ryanair and easyJet in the near future.

I always read this forum, and used to comment a lot more, I just read a lot of positivity and negativity about changes and the speed of growth at LBA, but when you stop to look at all the changes over the years they really add up.

Exciting times ahead for LBA.

– Louis

 

[leedslad]

I got a reply today. LBA have held discussions with LCC earlier this year regarding the claims made that they have a passenger limit of 5m and/or that they need to submit a planning application within 12 months of achieving 4.5m passengers. They didnt say the outcome or if there was agreement reached, only that their view is that there is no passenger cap of 5m nor is there a requirement to submit a planning application after passing 4.5m.

Perhaps LCC agree. Perhaps they don't and we have yet another planning dispute to resolve. However, if the airport opt to submit a new planning application to vary night hours or increase night movements, then previous planning approvals are likely to be superceded anyway.

What I can reiterate though is, that some years ago, a chap from LCC Planning Department gave a talk to the ACC, and in response to a specific question relating to the alleged 5m limit as constantly stated by G****A, he said categorically that LBA was NOT constrained by any passenger cap.

Thanks for following up. Very interesting and if the council page is wrong then quite a major mess up for them to be publicly stating mistruths about the airport. Especially as it forms part of the planning consultation for the development of the city.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

I got a reply today. LBA have held discussions with LCC earlier this year regarding the claims made that they have a passenger limit of 5m and/or that they need to submit a planning application within 12 months of achieving 4.5m passengers. They didnt say the outcome or if there was agreement reached, only that their view is that there is no passenger cap of 5m nor is there a requirement to submit a planning application after passing 4.5m.

Perhaps LCC agree. Perhaps they don't and we have yet another planning dispute to resolve. However, if the airport opt to submit a new planning application to vary night hours or increase night movements, then previous planning approvals are likely to be superceded anyway.

What I can reiterate though is, that some years ago, a chap from LCC Planning Department gave a talk to the ACC, and in response to a specific question relating to the alleged 5m limit as constantly stated by G****A, he said categorically that LBA was NOT constrained by any passenger cap.

Lets hope the airport/LCC have the minutes from the ACC you mentioned. It may help their case.

Lets hope the cap isnt the next G***A victory. They dont seem to lose many of these challenges.