Airport Consultative Committee [Questions & Responses]

[LBA4EVER]

"Flybe to LHR axed due to poor loads and the fact that Flybe have not made progress with interlining, which they acknowledge is essential to make it work, whilst reduction to one flight daily has reduced point to point demand too. Flybe didn't even publicise the route - doomed from day one. The demand remains for a regular service with a night stopper and interlining and LBA will continue to look for opportunities to reinstate the route"

I would love to know what Flybe's thinking was when they decided to launch this route without an interlining agreement.

I know of one or two people that would of used this route inc myself but they knew nothing about it.
Just out of interest are the flybe amsterdam and dublin routes still operating into LHR and if so how are they doing? Anyone have info on this?

 

[KARFA]

Yes DUB and AMS are still operating.

No idea how they are doing, but equally i don't understand why on earth they went for two routes which already had a lot of competition from LHR, and other LON airports. How on earth do they expect to make any money on routes where there is a lot of pressure on prices.

Frankly I have no idea what FlyBe 2 are doing, but I can't see them being around for more than a few years. They seem determined to repeat all the same mistakes of FlyBe 1 and think they will get a different result. They should be looking at regional airport to regional airport routes intra UK and in to Europe (sub 2 hour flight times) with little or no competition and ability to get get more than 50 bums on seats per flight.

 

[rmac]

Agreed! Why not go back on LBA to DUSS, it operated for years with Jet2 then Flybe. Also, no-one on LBA to SOU which again operated for years. There must be more out there.

 

[ChrisBBB]

Agreed! Why not go back on LBA to DUSS, it operated for years with Jet2 then Flybe. Also, no-one on LBA to SOU which again operated for years. There must be more out there.

I had two 5 1/2 train trips to and from Portsmouth this week due no flights!

 

[LBA4EVER]

A flybe 3 or 4 aircraft base at LBA where there is no competition, and of course before launch like jet2 did use the likes of look north or calendar news to advertise the new routes.

 

[White Heather]

A flybe 3 or 4 aircraft base at LBA where there is no competition, and of course before launch like jet2 did use the likes of look north or calendar news to advertise the new routes.

There are so many options out of LBA. Southampton, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Paris, Aberdeen, Copenhagen, Brussels, Newquay, all unserved or greatly underserved (Paris) and all routes LBA should have.

 

[rmac]

The link road from the A65 and the new terminal would have been instrumental in getting these routes, sad nothing happened. The new Parkway station will be a help, pity it is taking so long! Munich was mentioned and yes it nearly got going then the airline packed in but there must have been sufficient interest then to start it, so surely now. Copenhagen -same story. Madrid must be a contender considering how many from West Yorkshire travel to Spain!

 

[LBAYORKIE]

There are so many options out of LBA. Southampton, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin, Paris, Aberdeen, Copenhagen, Brussels, Newquay, all unserved or greatly underserved (Paris) and all routes LBA should have.

You would think It would be an easy job for LBA to persuade an airline to fly some/all of these routes. It seems like a 'no brainer.

 

[White Heather]

The link road from the A65 and the new terminal would have been instrumental in getting these routes, sad nothing happened. The new Parkway station will be a help, pity it is taking so long! Munich was mentioned and yes it nearly got going then the airline packed in but there must have been sufficient interest then to start it, so surely now. Copenhagen -same story. Madrid must be a contender considering how many from West Yorkshire travel to Spain!

I left out Madrid as it's rather a long way in a Dash 8! So not a route for them unless they buy jets , which seems unlikely given Flybe 1 bought the Embraers and they played a big part in their downfall. We need someone like Ryanair or easyJet on Madrid. And Valencia. And Lisbon.

 

[LBA4EVER]

I left out Madrid as it's rather a long way in a Dash 8! So not a route for them unless they buy jets , which seems unlikely given Flybe 1 bought the Embraers and they played a big part in their downfall. We need someone like Ryanair or easyJet on Madrid. And Valencia. And Lisbon.

The 2 times i visited valencia i stayed at the ibis in manisis which is right next to the airport with the underground station also right next to the hotel. Had some great views of the airfield and its movements!
Valencia is a lovely city!

 

[White Heather]

Today was the latest Airport Consultative Committee meeting. Not a huge amount to report, not helped by the enforced absence if the CEO and Commercial Director.

The following were noted:

Passenger figures remain encouraging with average load factor 85% in September and 81% in October. This represents 91% of pre Covid (2019) figures.

Passenger figures were presented weekly and are as follows since the last week in September.

W/e. 25/9. 87,661
W/e. 2/10. 83,445
W/e. 9/10. 77,455
W/e. 16/10. 76,545
W/e. 23/10. 80,828
W/e. 30/10. 67,456
W/e. 6/11. 52,283
W/e 13/11. 43,207
W/e. 20/11. 41,064
W/e. 27/11. 42,916

Total passengers April to November
=. 2,764,948.

This compares to the same period pre Covid (2019) =. 3,188,870.

This year saw only 1 week where in excess of 100,000 pax used LBA, compared with 17 weeks in 2019.

Wizz pax figures are good with 8O% load factor. Various security issues experienced at security arising from late check in of passengers, language barriers, etc, particularly on Bucharest and Cluj Napoca flights but now improving with new signage in Romanian and the switching of some flights to avoid the Friday morning issue with 5 arrivals within an hour or less.

Flybe will continue to operate 1 daily on Belfast until Q1 2023 due to late delivery of aircraft.

Other carriers are looking to operate to LBA (no clues given) but these are not likely to start before 2024.

November pax figures negatively affected by cancellations due to fog. On time performance was 80%. Average queue time at security across the month was 10 minutes with a maximum of 30 minutes at peak periods such as Friday morning with 6 Wizz Departures plus others. The issues with Wizz were the same as those experiences at DSA on the same flights so are not unique to LBA.

LBA has received strong accreditation from the CAA for it's safety and security provisions.following an inspection.

The airport is all ready for action with regard to snow clearing, de-icing etc. ahead of the forecast cold weather.

LBA is now fully staffed but still expect to hold a jobs fair Jan- Mar 2023, seeking 50-100 staff to cover any staff departures.

LBA is installing the necessary equipment to enable liquids to be carried in luggage (subject to D of T approval) from 2024.

Work is continuing on the Airspace Change Programme. This is for airspace up to 7000' only. NATS are working on above 7000'. This is complex but preferred options will be submitted for consultation from March 2023. LBA have to fund this (as do other airports). Airlines are funding the work done by NATS.

A certain anti airport group are pushing leaflets through doors, claiming facts about the Airspace Change and what it will mean, which are wholly false and not based on anything LBA are planning. LBA proposals will be completely transparent. One member stated that the leaflets were asking for funding to fight the airport proposals, before the proposals have been decided.

Confirmed the CAA are removing DSA airspace and LBA negotiating with them so as to be able to continue current landing processes through that airspace, which is on a continuous descent basis. LBA are employing two ex DSA ATC staff shortly. DSA airspace is no longer visible on LBA radar.


Hall A upgrade

Named Project Valhalla. (!)

Now underway for 4 weeks.

Will drastically improve appearance.

New ceilings

New LED ceiling lighting including uplighting on to ceiling to make it look higher.

Pillars being slimmed down to size of structural beam only, to generate additional space.

Back of house offices screened off

14 self service hybrid check in desks ( can be self service or manned)

Average check in time of 90 seconds per passenger.

Will be suitable for up to 5.6m pax per year..

Works cost is £0.5m plus additional cost of the technology.

Work over 2 phases to minimise disruption, particularly over Christmas.


Runway repairs.

Overnight repairs underway. Capital value £2.5m.

Includes drainage repairs due to silting up and collapsed drains.

Each concrete block that needs replacing has to be done in one night and the contractor has spare machinery at all times in case of break downs. Concrete blocks are excavated, new cement laid and strength tested to obtain CAA approval within a 6 hour period.
.
Each concrete block costs £35,000 to replace. The full runway consists of 4225 blocks.

The long term intention is to ensure all blocks are in good repair with all drainage issues resolved then to re- surface the runway in asphalt via a rolling programme of (overnight) work so as to keep the runway operational. Target is to be completed by 2030.


Terminal Extension

Still going ahead. Expected to start late 2023.

Parkway Station

Confirmed that the recently announced transport infrastructure projects that are on hold does NOT include the LBA Parkway Station. This is going ahead as scheduled.


Other matters.

If it's not included above, it either wasn't discussed, or it was but I am not at liberty to report on it, so....
PLEASE DON'T ASK!!

 

[Finger66]

Fantastic report as ever WH - thank you

 

[AirBingley]

Thank you for the update, I do feel positive about LBA despite all the doom about the economy and Wizz have proven themselves during a challenging month for weather despite their variable reputation! Onwards and upwards!

 

[oldendays]

Comprehensive as ever . I noted particularly the part about ex-Doncaster ATCOs being employed here. Smart move to hire some experienced bods before other ATC units nab 'em!

 

[Aviador]

I found the new capacity of 5.6m for check in hall A an eye-opener given that hall B could already essentially handle the entire passenger throughput!

Did you get the promised terminal extension presentation?

 

[White Heather]

I found the new capacity of 5.6m for check in hall A an eye-opener given that hall B could already essentially handle the entire passenger throughput!

Did you get the promised terminal extension presentation?

If we had, I would have covered it.
Only a presentation on Hall A at this stage..

 

[oldendays]

Apparently Burger King has been refurbished. In other news, the bridge on stand 8 remains unserviceable, as was the bridge on stand 7 a few days ago.

 

[scottrhino]

Always a good read WH and keeps us informed on developments.

I thought when you were commenting on security for the Romanian flights it was going to touch on the travellers rather than departures. I have it on good authority that this group of passengers cause issues in eateries and duty free which is causing issues in the departure halls and seem to be disrespectful of staff, rules and laws.

I wouldn’t expect the airport to comment but I understand additional security measures have been brought in for these departures to avoid issues continuing.

 

[White Heather]

Always a good read WH and keeps us informed on developments.

I thought when you were commenting on security for the Romanian flights it was going to touch on the travellers rather than departures. I have it on good authority that this group of passengers cause issues in eateries and duty free which is causing issues in the departure halls and seem to be disrespectful of staff, rules and laws.

I wouldn’t expect the airport to comment but I understand additional security measures have been brought in for these departures to avoid issues continuing.

I heard similar based on what happened at DSA. It's no coincidence that DSA had the highest arrest rate per 1000 pax in the UK, and most of those were travelling to or from Romania..

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Always a good read WH and keeps us informed on developments.

I thought when you were commenting on security for the Romanian flights it was going to touch on the travellers rather than departures. I have it on good authority that this group of passengers cause issues in eateries and duty free which is causing issues in the departure halls and seem to be disrespectful of staff, rules and laws.

I wouldn’t expect the airport to comment but I understand additional security measures have been brought in for these departures to avoid issues continuing.

No surprise really. A disrespect for the law and rules and staff. It’s a culture thing also - and given Romania is the most corrupt country in the world.

If the Romanian flights are moved to let’s say 10pm, shut duty free? Stops tea leaves.