Leeds Bradford - General Thread

[ls27]

Amen to that. You only have to look at the LBA web page for the none existing news. Three items so far this year and one from last December. Not much is it!

 

[SNOWMAN]

whoshotjimmi

in a nut-shell well said that man.
i wonder if we had the stands to put them on?? just a thought.
sm1

 

[Aviador]

Unless the situation has changed which I don't believe it has, much of the former PR team was disbanded shortly after the appointment of JP. At the same time the one thing that kept the public in the loop, the airports magazine was stopped and JP tagged the PR job onto THs roll. Around the same time the Airport Security Manager roll (A Department for Transport requirement) was joined with the Customer Service Roll to tighten the belt. Numerous other rolls were disbanded as the guillotine dropped to save money.

These days it seems like TH seems to be responsible for most if not all of the airports Public Relations. JP on the other hand is nowhere to be seen. TH does a fantastic job but I find it incredible the airport doesn't have it's own dedicated PR team dealing with all the airports press releases and airport PR. The advantages of having an effective PR team are clearer now than ever.

These are just a few comments from searching through the forum but I am sure there are many more people who have commented on how the airport deals with communication in general.

The airport's communication with their customers is almost zero and their relationship with the local media is diabolical

Seemed another breakdown in communication at the airport on Monday

Communication between the MD and the office bods and the actual operation staff that run the airport is diabolical

it would appear that there are no clear lines of communication within the airport

 

[jason1-11]

Well that really has been 3 days of hell for Leeds Bradford Airport, it’s airline partners and poor passengers. Does anyone else think the airports vision of “Creating an outstanding regional airport, connecting Yorkshire with the World and We are passionate about providing a fantastic airport experience for our customers” are a little farfetched based on the facilities we have today and what has been achieved since Bridgepoint took ownership of the Airport?

On an airline front, Jet2 additional spend on coaches, fuel, food, overtime etc must run close to 5 figures at least and I personally worry for their future Leeds “ops” as and when the 737-300 are eventually phased out as we have seen how unsuited the British registered 737-800’s are at Leeds. Also, Flybe Doncaster decision is a serious blow to the Airports aspirations as there doesn’t appears to be along queue of airlines waiting to start the all import routes craved by all in the business community. Maybe we will have to continue using Manchester or now Doncaster in the future as our primary points of departure and just expect we have a Summer “bucket and spade” Airport.

The last 3 days have demonstrated (if we didn’t already know) that if we are going to have an airport that matches the status and stature of Leeds situated at 680 ft above sea level, then the runway infrastructure must be improved to allow more CAT3A and importantly CAT3 B approaches with or without tailwinds components within reason. This is a vital investment in today and the long term future and hope this is noted in the long awaited Masterplan.

 

[Aviador]

Well that really has been 3 days of hell for Leeds Bradford Airport, it’s airline partners and poor passengers. Does anyone else think the airports vision of “Creating an outstanding regional airport, connecting Yorkshire with the World and We are passionate about providing a fantastic airport experience for our customers” are a little farfetched based on the facilities we have today and what has been achieved since Bridgepoint took ownership of the Airport?

On an airline front, Jet2 additional spend on coaches, fuel, food, overtime etc must run close to 5 figures at least and I personally worry for their future Leeds “ops” as and when the 737-300 are eventually phased out as we have seen how unsuited the British registered 737-800’s are at Leeds. Also, Flybe Doncaster decision is a serious blow to the Airports aspirations as there doesn’t appears to be along queue of airlines waiting to start the all import routes craved by all in the business community. Maybe we will have to continue using Manchester or now Doncaster in the future as our primary points of departure and just expect we have a Summer “bucket and spade” Airport.

The last 3 days have demonstrated (if we didn’t already know) that if we are going to have an airport that matches the status and stature of Leeds situated at 680 ft above sea level, then the runway infrastructure must be improved to allow more CAT3A and importantly CAT3 B approaches with or without tailwinds components within reason. This is a vital investment in today and the long term future and hope this is noted in the long awaited Masterplan.

I am right there with you.

I still believe with a passion LBA can achieve so much more. The airports infrastructure is the biggest asset yet it's also the main thing that lacks the investment it needs to enable it to succeed. Other than one or two cosmetic touches to the terminal the only other thing Bridgepoint has done has been a surface water retention system essentially to satisfy the Environment Agency. Is that really good enough?

[textarea]A Forums4airports poll which asked "In your opinion, has the airport company done enough to upgrade LBIA?"

89% of Forums4airports users said (No) I think the airport company should have done much more to upgrade the airport.

Only 9% of Forums4airports users said (Yes) I think the airport company has done what it can, under ownership of Bridgepoint.[/textarea]

 

[White Heather]

Re: I Bradford - General Thread

I posted recently that I had written to LBA to express the views of everyone on here, and I did so quite forcibly. I didn't think they would be very happy with me but I got a positive reply and confirmation it had been passed on to the airport directors. Yesterday's news re Flybe prompted me to write again, and again I pulled no punches. As a result I had another positive reply and I was told that whilst they were not able to comment on Flybe in print, I have been offered a meeting with the Airport MD after the next Consultative Meeting in December, when he will discuss the points I raised -which I believe fairly represented how virtually all of us feel now.

 

[a300boy]

Good stuff ! at least you get to ask your questions face to face !
Good luck and hope you have some positive news for us that you can share.

 

[lbaspotter]

Does anyone know when any winter timetables will be out? They must be due to start in the next few weeks.

I know its a bit delayed but good news Bigman I've just uploaded my own produced LBA winter 2015/2016 timetable to the lbaspotters website, so it should be online now to view here http://www.lbaspotters.net/winter201516timetable.htm

 

[lbaspotter]

Hear, Hear White Heather. Lets hope you get some positive feedback from this face to face meeting in December with the Airports MD.


Now for my rant time, yes I know it's took me long enough to wake up and smell the coffee!

Another day of delays and cancellations due to this pesky Fog, What a joke of a tin pot airport LBA has become this week.
It really is showing up the airport for its true colours, and it makes you sit up and release the hash realities as to why airlines go looking elsewhere to operate there aircaft (eg: flybe to DSA) instead out of LBA in the winter months due to the unreliability and creaking infustructor along with the known issues aircraft have with CAT3 landing system on Runway 32.
How many more disgruntled passengers must they now be after the past few days, or should I say how many has it added to the ever growing list of last few years what with all the extra charges introduced.
I really do think it's about time Bridgepoint Capital spent some money on a long ago promise of investment to the airports infustructor. I also hope the management get out and about building the airports reputation up through the local media and press, as it's reputation has been totally battered this week again and recently the marketing seems to have been poor or non existent.
Oh but wait, we already know they won't do anything until the delayed (yet again!) Masterplan is finally released and just keep on blaming Leeds City Council for it.

 

[SNOWMAN]

hi all
have just had a look at seat only prices from L.B.A. and flybe from doncaster

flybe ex don mon 6 june 2016 ret 13 june
out 15-20
ret 22-05 £448-98

jet2 ex lba mon 6 june 2016 ret 13 june
out 07-00
ret 14.15 £526

monarch ex lba wed 8 june ret 15 june
out 07-05
ret 14-10 £455-96

these all include bags and reserved seats both ways

jet 2 friendly low fares i dont think so

regards
sm1

 

[White Heather]

You haven't said where to or for how many people Snowman??

 

[SNOWMAN]

hi whiteheather
oops senior moment there
its malaga for 2 people
regards
sm1

 

[Tarn Spotter]

Snowman: Jet2 operates two flights on these dates, if you chose the lower price on each leg prices come more in line (£472).
So far for next year to Malaga only in October have we transferred to Monarch from Jet2 for a cheaper rate. Monarch seem to have either forgotton or ignored the school holidays which with the other airlines has pushed up rates.

 

[Tarn Spotter]

Was the statement on Look North last night correct when it stated LBA had the highest growth in passenger numbers for any regional airport in the country over the last year.
We hear a lot of negitive statements on this site about the failure of LBA to get new routes etc.
Most of the programme was dedicated to new routes by FLybe out of Doncaster, who hope to see a growth of half a million passengers next year against 150k at LBA

 

[lbaspotter]

Also did you check Ryanair Malaga flight?

 

[Tarn Spotter]

Ryanair for the same dates next October was a lot dearer then both Jet2 and Monarch, there hold bag charges usually defeat the low seat price for summer flights.
In addition the flight times are very poor and I would only consider if the overasll price was much cheaper then their rivals.
Have to say I wish Jet2 followed ryanair and only allowed the first 90 passengers to board with cabin luggage.
Since they did full seat allocation and even though we have bought priority boarding with Ryanair we have boarded in the last few people and as we are counted in the first 90 people have had room in the overhead lockers above our seats for our cabin luggage.
Although I have booked with Monarch for October I could have gone cheaper in the end with Jet2 as they offered me a 10% discount, too late, however. In addition Monarch going at 7am whereas Jet2 at 9.35am, which is a huge plus for me.

 

[SNOWMAN]

Snowman: Jet2 operates two flights on these dates, if you chose the lower price on each leg prices come more in line (£472).
So far for next year to Malaga only in October have we transferred to Monarch from Jet2 for a cheaper rate. Monarch seem to have either forgotton or ignored the school holidays which with the other airlines has pushed up rates.

hi tarnspotter
i like you am well aware that jet2 do 2 flights per day to malaga,i like you also prefer the early flight, the prices i quoted with jet2are early out and late back too, expensive for me,monarch for me.also 4 couples we know from are local are using monarch to AGP as there flights are cheaper than jet2.we have just returned from benalmedana and it was cheaper to go on a package to the hotel than book flights and the hotel direct.
sm1

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Have to say I wish Jet2 followed ryanair and only allowed the first 90 passengers to board with cabin luggage.

We check hand luggage in free of charge for that very reaso . Which beats Ryanair any day of the week.

 

[Tarn Spotter]

Nicholas1992; Jet2 allow you to book cabin luggage in free to the hold. My point about Ryanair is that only 90 people are allowed on board with cabin luggage freeing up a lot of overhead locker space.
jet2 allows every passenger to bring on a small bag and not enough room to take in the lockers above, which is the reason Easyjet reduced the size of their cabin case, but even the new reduced size is too big to allow everyone to place in the overhead lockers.
Ryanair have found new system speeds up loading as the last 90 passengers on board have no luggage and dont waste time trying to find an empty locker space.
If Monarch allow all passengers to bring on board cabin luggage in the same boat as Jet2 etc.

 

[scottrhino]

Not sure this post should sit under this 'thread' but couldnt see anything historic on the web page relating to this subject.

I am have a little bit of a clearout and have numerous Air Yorkshire (1992-1998) Aviation News & Review LAAS Edition (1989-1996) Rotate (1987-1989) Runway News (1993-1996) Aviation News magazines from the same era and LBIA Timetables (1992-98 with the exception of a 1989 timetable!!).

There are also other aircraft material such as Manchester Airport Soptters Guides 1988, Flight Check between 1990-92 and Runway News (1993-1996).

Most of these books have classic aircraft of the time not seen these days inc LBIA and other airports in the UK and abroad. They are all in terrific condition. I do also have other material from the late 1980's including biz jet books, some military books (Nato in Europe (1989) and also an unused CAM book I believe from 1989 (just need to hunt that one down). There's even two Stansted aviation books from 1990 and 1991 respectively.

I would rather these go to a good home rather than a hole in the ground. If anyone is interested than please get in touch. These can be split so if anyone from the Manchester forum wants some due to their own airport magazines that will be fine. It will be a case of collection through.

Many thanks