Leeds Bradford - General Thread

[White Heather]

From my perspective, Apology accepted 012tom012.

All I want you to understand is that I have no complaints about Servisair. As some member on here know, I have had serious family issues and my last booked flight, in 2008, but cancelled because of this . I have experienced no problems myself, but am relaying other peoples concerns - a role which I have happily taken on as a founder of the support group and member of the consultative committee. I think you were being a teeny bit unfair on me therefore with your comments. 'Don't shoot the messenger' springs to mind.

I do however have complaints about the state of the website as this has been an issue for a few years now and could very easily be remedied by the airport. I have raised that issue repeatedly and the airport has promised much but so far delivered little.

 

[Aviador]

Hello everyone.

I apologise for my last post. All I meant by it was that these problems have been going on for a long time, and the chances of them been solved are probably very slim!

I most certainly do not work at the airport, and it is just an opinion as a regular passenger.

regards

Thankyou for clearing that up 012tom012 before the onset of the nuclear mushroom cloud. leasantry:

 

[User0001]

As an ex Servisair employee at LBA I have to agree with both White Heather and 012tom012, yes there are problems with staff attitude, numbers of staff and infrastructure i.e. ticket desk capability during disruption, and I also agree that the chances of this changing are very slim. There is no emphasis at LBIA within Servisair about who the customer is and why they are important. Yes directly thats the airlines but only because the customers want to fly from Leeds on their services.

In addition, the infrastructure of the airport makes it even more difficult to deliver good service. The small terminal, lack of decent catering facilities, logistics of guiding arriving and departing passengers etc makes life very difficult. This may sound strange but it was so frustrating at times and difficult to focus on service when you had to put so much attention on things like where people were going! I can only hope these are addressed with the development work.

I must say, believe it or not, that the majority of Servisair staff, in my opinion, do a lot to ensure that the service (albeit questionable) is delivered. This includes very long hours, late finishes/early starts, poor management support and virtually no gratitude. I guess the enthusiasm and drive to make LBIA work is eventually worn down, as it was with me. There is a good team spirit amongst the front-line team there, a kind of stick together attitude. What they need is some more effective leadership led from the station manager to begin with and I'm sure things could improve drastically.

Finally I want to mention the airlines as I feel they have a fair bit of influence. On so many occasions, their operational decisions, lack of proper investment in their ground handling (i.e. no engineering based staff) and misinformation (or no information at all) meant that we delivered a poor service through delays, innacurate communications etc. This again wore down staff so when a delay was anticipated, you automatically went into defence mode as you knew that it was going to be a nightmare and often tried to avoid the passengers as much as possible.

Hope this insight was of some use!

 

[backtrack]

Thankyou "Guest".

A very informative post there. I agree with all you say especially the difficulties with the poor layout of the terminal and ramp areas. The new design plans include a full length (stands 5 to 18) `back of aircraft` service road, which should help things much better.

 

[User0001]

A really good insight about working life " behind the scenes", it sounds a nightmare.

 

[Aviador]

That was a good insight into the workings of the airport and Servisair. Thank you for adding your thoughts on the matter it is very much appreciated.

 

[White Heather]

Thanks ' Guest' - very useful and fair post. I think that a major problem is, quite simply, that the airport has outgrown itself since the arrival of Jet2. I can well imagine that the restrictions within the terminal, coupled by poor communications from the airlines, would make the staff's job a misery, although having watched the 'Airline' programmes, it seems that even at Luton and Liverpool, they have the same sort of issues. Ultimately it probably all boils down to a combination of poor communications from the top on all sides, poor infrastructure, lack of investment in staffing and a whole host of other issues that all combine together to make both passengers and Servisair staff's life a misery on some days, and given the recent weather there must have been a few in the past month - today being the latest. Ultimately, it is managers on all sides who appear to need a good shaking. They are the ones who have the responsibility to work towards solutions with their staff and all other stakeholders. If they don't do that, then even the nice new terminal will not resolve all the problems, although it will undoubtedly help a bit.

 

[User0001]

Yes I agree, management could be better but what that place really needs is leaders, people who are more supportive, visible, try to develop their colleagues, offer praise and aim to find solutions to problems (rather than persistently punishing the 'end' person who makes the mistake).

There is a lot of 'taking staff for granted', assuming they will work long hours, will accept rosters a few days in advance, will come in on days off etc etc. Yes this is part of the job and it would be niaeve (excuse spelling!) for any member of airport staff to think otherwise, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be recognised.

I truly hope that things improve at Leeds, and I don't have a grudge against the management or anything. Many times the duty managers simply had too much to try and deal with and didn't have the tools to do so. The other factors I mentioned contribute as much, if not more. It will be interesting when Ryanair are in town certainly!

Anyway, enough of my long posts!

 

[backtrack]

It will be interesting when Ryanair are in town certainly!

I couldnt agree more...i think some serious changes will need to be made.

 

[Aviador]

[textarea]Public asked to comment on LBA noise plan

Plans to keep aircraft noise under control at Leeds Bradford airport have been released for public consultation.

LBIA has published a 27-point action plan to minimise noise levels and it is inviting local people to have their say.

The plan, which can be downloaded from the airport’s website, looks at ways of tackling the problems of noise whilst allowing expansion of services.

Officials at the airport are stressing it’s importance to the economic vitality of the region – with 900,000 overseas visitors in 2003 alone spending around £294m in the regional economy and helping to support an estimated 160,000 jobs.

In 2005 the airport handled 2.6 million passengers and this is projected to increase year on year.

The airport’s CEO says: “Where there is a demand for flight services there will always be an impact of noise on the local region from arriving and departing aircraft and LBIAis no different.

“Measures and controls are in place to limit the noise generated through activities and operations at LBIA to reduce the impact upon surrounding areas and where possible mitigate noise sources.

LBIA will continue to review noise from activities produced by the airport and develop further measures to reduce these impacts as appropriate.

“Over the years LBIA has worked towards improving positive engagement with the local community and as a service we identify that our success derives from our local community. LBIA takes seriously its work with the local community and intends to find new ways to improve the effectiveness of its communication in order to work towards its goal of minimising noise impact.”

Now the airport has published its draft noise action plan for the next five years and wants local people to give their opinions and suggestions before the plan is finalised.

The plan summarises the extent of aircraft noise from the airport; it details restrictions already in place and sets out proposed actions for the next five years to mitigate the impact the airport has on local communities.

The consultation document points out: “It is not possible to eliminate noise from general operations of the airport and so where practicably possible preventative measures, together with careful management and control is carried out.”

The document stresses the importance of the airport to the local economy.

“LBIA is an important economic generator, providing jobs, encouraging inward investment, boosting local tourism and providing world wide access to the North of England.”

The airport has set itself a series of targets for the next five years, which it says will continue its commitment to reduce aircraft noise impacts.

It aims to: encourage the operation of the quietest fleets possible; encourage airlines to adopt the quietest practicable operating procedures; have effective and credible noise mitigation schemes.

It says it also wants to introduce new methods of communication with local communities to get a better understanding of their concerns.

It also hopes to influence planning policy to minimise the number of noise sensitive properties around the airport.

The consultation document points out that the airport has already carried out two noise insulation schemes over the last 25 years, and has established noise preferential routes so that jet aircraft fly over less populated areas.

Other measures already in place include restrictions on type and number of night-time aircraft.

LBIA also works with Leeds City Council in continuous noise monitoring around the airport.

The document adds: “LBIA employs a full-time environmental officer to deal with environmental issues affecting the airport. The environmental officer works closely with local residents, community groups and officers of local authorities to ensure any noise issues are identified as quickly as possible and appropriate action is taken to mitigate any impacts.”

Source[/textarea]

 

[Turbulence]

Police hunt Leeds Bradford Airport radio hoaxers

Thanks for posting that Turbs but this article has already been posted on the LBA - Security, Immigration & Border Control Thread.

Click here to read the responses to the article...

topic17-40.html

 

[Aviador]

[textarea]Leeds Bradford Airport: Have your say on terminal noise levels

Residents around Leeds Bradford Airport are being urged to have their say on its plans to minimise noise generated at the terminal.

A 27-point report has been drawn up to set out measures the airport wants to adopt to help keep noise under control.

The report says the terminal handled 2.6 million passengers in 2005 and that looks set to increase year on year.

John Parkin, airport chief executive, said in the report: "Inevitably with all transport networks, the production of noise can be a disadvantage.

"Where there is a demand for flight services there will always be an impact of noise on the local region from arriving and departing aircraft and LBIA is no different.

"Measures and controls are in place to limit the noise generated through activities and operations at LBIA to reduce the impact upon surrounding areas and where possible mitigate noise sources."

Over the next five years the airport want to encourage the operation of the quietest fleet possible, encourage airlines to adopt the quietest practicable aircraft operating procedures and have effective and credible noise mitigation schemes.

It also wants to introduce new and effective methods of communication with communities affected by aircraft noise to understand their concerns.

Last year the YEP reported that the airport is set to double in size and employ up to 2,000 new people after plans for the £28m terminal expansion were given the green light.

The plans include a two-storey extension with a new departure lounge, expanded security zone and improved shops and immigration facility.

The draft noise action plan can be downloaded from the airport's website and is available in libraries in Yeadon, Rawdon, Guiseley, Horsforth, Menston, Otley, Burley-in-Wharfedale and Ilkley.
Responses should be submitted by April 27

Source[/textarea]

 

[Aviador]

[textarea]Business flights and holidaymakers give a twin boost to Yeadon

Airline and holiday companies operating from Leeds Bradford International Airport are over the moon about business levels.

Domestic airline Flybe had record ticket sales at LBIA last weekend, while Yeadon-based package holiday firm Jet2holidays.com says summer bookings are running at four times higher than last year.

Weekend tickets sales at Flybe were 25 per cent higher than this time last year.

The company, which operates between LBIA and London Gatwick, Southampton, Aberdeen and Belfast, said bookings from business travellers were also on the rise. The surge had been boosted by special promotions of low fares on ten million seats.

Mike Rutter, Flybe chief commercial officer, said: “The 25 per cent increase in this past weekend’s sales was yet another milestone for Flybe and a crucial one in reflecting a possible return in consumer confidence across the UK regions.

“This, coupled with a significant return of business travel sales in recent weeks, is an encouraging sign as the country looks towards 2010.”

Flybe recently won the 2010 best short-haul airline award.

Jet2 boss Philip Meeson is also looking forward to a bumper year as holiday bookings and seat sales soar.

Jet2holidays.com, which is offering several new destinations for 2010 in its summer brochure, said bookings were four times higher than last year.

Trade has been boosted by price promotions and enabling customers to pay for holidays by instalments. Tunisia, Gran Canaria, Kos and Madeira are resorts included for the first time.

Mr Meeson said business was soaring due to people’s determination to find the sun after the harsh winter and a disappointing British summer last year.

He said: “The summer holiday remains very important for many people, who seem more determined to leave the gloom and snow behind.

“We are very encouraged by business trends so far and I’m looking forward to a healthy 2010 in both our holiday package business and the airline, where seat sales are growing fast.”

Meanwhile, Thomas Cook Airlines is the first UK charter airline to launch an internet check-in service for passengers travelling from LBIA.

It will enable customers to buy flights, select seats and print out boarding cards at home up to seven days before departure.

Director of customer services Joanna Wild said: “We’re always looking at ways that we can give our holidaymakers more control over their booking, and this innovation gives people the freedom to choose where they sit as well as making the airport experience a quick and easy one.”

LBIA commercial director Tony Hallwood said: “Flybe’s domestic routes from LBIA offer a stress-free way to reach key UK destinations in around an hour. Our business travellers are utilising the 7am morning flight to London Gatwick, which gives them access to the capital in time for a meeting at 9am.

“As Yorkshire’s gateway airport, we are delighted to be involved in supporting Thomas Cook’s new online check-in service. Our aim is to ensure passengers have a relaxing start to their holiday, and the opportunity to choose your own seats from the comfort of home will be a real winner with passengers.”

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[Galaxy]

This would be great if it were to be done: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?sid=8 ... 0613802770

 

[lbaspotter]

Weather Warning!! ICE AND SNOW

Hi dont know if this is the right thread to post this update but Leeds/Bradford Airport may see some disruption to flights, Cancellations and diverts tomorrow afternoon as Heavy Snow fall has been forecasted in the area from around mid afternoon and into tomorrow evening according to both the ITV weather forecast this evening and the BBC website. http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/2535?count=10

There are reports off up to 10cm falling on top of the the hills while lower grounds will see up to between 5cm to 6cm

So tomorrow morning commute to work will see lots of Ice on any untreated roads as we are set for a big freeze tonight. While the evening journey home could be a bad one, if this heavy-snow fall arrives as expected mid afternoon.

 

[Bigman]

Not wrong mate. Loads of black ice about this morning.

 

[lbaspotter]

Weather Warning!! SNOW AND FOG

Hi dont know if this is the right thread to post this update but Leeds/Bradford Airport may see some disruption to flights tomorrow as light Snow fall and Fog has been forecasted in the area according to the BBC website. http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/2535

And they mybe more to come. As on Thursday it is currently forcasting for Heavy Snow-Fall.

 

[Aviador]

[textarea]Leeds Bradford International Airport Offers Support to Local Charities in Yorkshire

Leeds Bradford International Airport (LBIA) is calling on all registered local charities to apply for funding from the Airport's Foreign Coin Collection Scheme.

Under this established charity initiative, passengers at LBIA have donated their loose foreign coins to the scheme for over a decade.

In 2009 The Foreign Coin Collection initiative helped charities such as Sue Ryder, RNIB, Kidz in Kampz, Samaritans and many others.

In 2008, £6,092.34 was raised, and in 2009 passengers raised £7,890.82. This year the scheme is hoping to raise even more money so charities can benefit further.

Eligible charities should email [email protected] explaining why they think they may be eligible to receive a donation. It should be a maximum of 150 words explaining what the charity does and how the money would help . A chosen charity will be picked each month to receive the amount donated by passengers over that period .

Collection boxes are located in the Baggage Reclaim area and the Departure Lounge, near Gate 1.

Carl Lapworth, Operations Director at LBIA said, 'It's a fantastic initiative which has been running successfully for a number of years. The airport is proud to say that our passengers are helping local charities and it's wonderful to know that the money is going towards such good causes.'

The Airport's on site Foreign Exchange provider, Travelex, support the initiative by counting and banking the deposits.

One of the charities that benefited from a donation in 2009 was PhysCap, a charity that helps and supports physically handicapped children and their families in Yorkshire.

PhysCap is a body of volunteers committed to raising money to provide necessary equipment for the children, to make their lives easier.

Marshall Frieze, a PhysCap trustee said, 'I would like to say a big thank you from everyone here at PhysCap to all the passengers that donated spare foreign coins. The money received has gone towards helping buy essential equipment for physically handicapped children in the area, such as motorized buggies and personalized computer systems. We appreciate it's difficult to donate in the current economic climate but we are extremely grateful to all those who did.'

Source[/textarea]

 

[Aviador]

Bridgepoint has today sold the Pets at Home chain for a whopping £955m and yes you read that correctly, that's just short of 1 billion pounds!

Does this mean that they finally have the money for the terminal extension work?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010 ... -home-sold

 

[Aviador]

[textarea]Trip to Auschwitz for North Yorkshire school pupils

TEENAGERS from schools across North Yorkshire are to get an opportunity to learn an important lesson from history in a visit to a notorious **** death camp.

Pupils from Fulford, Bootham, Archbishop Holgate’s CE, Huntington, All Saints’ RC Schools and York College in York, along with North Yorkshire schools and colleges including Malton, Lady Lumley’s, Easingwold and Whitby College, will be taking part in the Holocaust Educational Trust’s (HET) Lessons from Auschwitz Project.

Two pupils from each school will form part of a 200-strong group trip from 100 schools across Yorkshire and Humberside to Auschwitz on March 23 leaving from Leeds Bradford airport.

The trip is part of the Government’s commitment that two pupils from every sixth form and college in the country will be able to visit Auschwitz and learn about the Holocaust.

On arrival in Poland local guides and trust staff take the students and teachers around the camps before flying back to Leeds/Bradford Airport that evening.

The HET was established in 1988, and its aim is to educate young people from every background about the Holocaust and the important lessons to be learned for today.

The trust works in schools, universities and in the community to raise awareness and understanding of the Holocaust.

Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: “The trust’s Lessons From Auschwitz project is such a vital part of our work because it gives students the chance to understand the dangers and potential effects of prejudice and racism today.

“The inspiring work students go on to do in their local areas demonstrates the importance of the visit.”

Six million Jews died in the **** camps, along with millions of others, including gypsies, Soviet prisoners of war, political opponents of the Nazis, gays, beggars, alcoholics and mentally ill and disabled people.

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