LBAYORKIE
Elite-Member
- Dec 30, 2009
- 3,745
- 233
Great report, many thanks.ACC meeting, Tuesday 23rd September 2025.
Unexpectedly, due to a change in schedule, Vincent Hodder , CEO, was in attendance at today's meeting.
* Passenger figures
Passenger throughput for the fiscal year to week ending 24/8/25 was 2,255,191. This compares to 2,128,316 for the same period in 2024/5.
* Community events.
Four events have been held at Otley, Guiseley, Bramhope and Cookridge. All had good attendances, 30 at Otley, 45 at Bramhope, and 30-35 at Cookridge and Guiseley. LBA consider these have been successful and despite each being disrupted by anti airport attendees who, according to other attendees on the ACC, ruined it for others who had a real interest in LBA. There are four more to come. Menston, Meanwood, Kirkstall and Baildon. Thereafter, the events will continue but changes will be made to the format- a listening event without LBA presentations, with joint action plans developed to deal with the issues raised at each meeting. Changes will also be made to the type of attendees. Efforts will be made to attract younger age groups.
My omment.....
It's clear that these events have largely been hijacked by the anti airport brigade. One attendee said he walked out of the event due to his anger and frustration at the way they behaved, preventing him and others from speaking unless it was in accordance with their views. All who attended stated that Vince Hodder did a superb presentation and showed great patience and respect for all despite the provocation.
* LBA Regeneration
In response to my question, it was confirmed that LBA management had only this morning discussed a flythrough video illustrating how the terminal will look when completed, and this is now to be commissioned, so one will be available further down the line.
Phase 1 is now fully completed other than snagging items outstanding.
Phase 2 is well underway but has another 18 months to go before completion in time for the summer season, 2027.
Phase 3, aircraft stands, has now started. The first 2 additional stands will be ready for use from February 2026. The next 2 are now under design and should commence construction next year.
Within the extension, there are currently 353 seats which are not within any bar or eatery. A further 40 are to be installed shortly.
A new AMT coffee outlet will be installed within the new extension .
Other outlets that will eventually be included within the terminal include:
- An un-named sports retailer.
- A new Montys bar.
- Pharmacy/general outlet
- A new Juniper Concept eatery/bar
- Starbucks ( slightly smaller than existing)
- A new Upper Crust outlet.
- WH Smiths and Greggs will be retained.
- A small Currency Exchange.
Note:
The Leeds United outlet was closed in order to increase the size of the Cabin Bar seating area.
The new Burger King (extension) is half the size of the old one but outsells it significantly.
The Tap and Brew has 305 seats and is the largest in the world. It also has the largest menu anywhere. Passengers can now order from general seating by scanning a QR code and the food will be brought to them. It is doing incredibly well.
Boots will remain until at least 2027. Beyond that, the pharmacy provider is unconfirmed - commercial in confidence would apply anyway. It could be Boots, or someone else.
Due to a change in the location of a goods lift, a suitable location has now been found to create an outdoor smoking area. This will be part of phase 2.
All work is currently focussed on the western end of the terminal. When that is completed, the remaining central area will be transformed to connect the two new areas together.
A councillor praised his recent experience at the airport except the Avro Lounge which he said was very poor. John Cunliffe outlined that LBA are looking at adjusting this lounge's offer and they are aware of the negative comments on line. However, he pointed out that over 50, 000 people have used this lounge and only a tiny number have complained. It was explained that this lounge is used by many card holders and the card vendors do not pay the airport sufficiently to provide the levels of service some expect. Nevertheless, they are taking the matter seriously snd looking at how to improve it.
* Parkway Station
In response to my question, Vince Hodder confirmed this project remains very much on the agenda with regular discussions taking place with the WYCA and Leeds City Council. It was a key subject that cropped up at the Cookridge Community Event. He did say there were rumours within LCC that the costs were under scrutiny due to being too high and overspending on the other new stations in Leeds, but Vince feels the quoted costs are way too high anyway, and he's adamant that the project will be going ahead.
* 5 million passenger planning consent
In response to a question relating to the need to submit a planning application no later than 12 months after reaching 4.5m passengers per annum (a section 106 condition within the scrapped 2009 terminal scheme), Vince stated that in their view, the matters covered by this condition had already been covered within the 2017 planning application and the 2019 Project Sky application, both of which were approved. They do not therefore consider that a further application has to be made as doing so would cover the same issues they've already addressed. They have written to LCC but to date not had a response.
* CLEUD outcome.
Vince provided a quick overview of the situation. The outcome of the hearing has led to confusion between both LBA and LCC as the findings didn't meet either party's expectations. Both are now involved in detailed discussions to try and find a way forward but in the meantime, the airport have issued a notice of appeal.
In response to my question, Vince stated there would be no impact on current or next years planned flying programmes, but equally there would be no growth involving night flights (ie based sircraft) unless they were QC 0.25 until such time as the issue is fully resolved. It sounded incredibly complex, totally ridiculous, and it was confirmed LBA is the only airport with night flying restrictions, that doesnt have a periodic review of what's needed. Most airports have no restrictions or, if they do, they have reviews with the planning authority every so often- 5 yearly usually. BHX is an example where they have recently reviewed night operations and secured enhanced limits due to increased demand (since the arrival of Jet2).
Whilst explaining this, Vince did say that Ryanair have indicated an enhanced flying programme at LBA to come, but all on non based aircraft. Whilst non based ops are good, they don't bring with them the same level of jobs growth that based aircraft do.
* Doncaster Sheffield Airport
In response to a question asking for his comments, Vince stated that it will have little impact on LBA as most of DSAs passengers tend to fly out of MAN and EMA, and that when it closed, LBA gained little other than Wizz. He expressed the view that it was a complete waste of money and it would never be self sustaining with few, if any, airlines interested. He repeated that Wizz have told him they have no intention of going back as most of their passengers are living in the LBA catchment. He admitted TUi may consider it, but advised that they are planning to change their methods of operation which will not improve DSAs chances. He also referred to a challenging period ahead for air travel generally. He did express annoyance though at public money being used to effectively bribe airlines to move their operations from privately funded airports, with the potential for job losses as a result. He didn't say whether there would be any legal challenge by LBA.
* Wizz Air Gdansk
The loss of this route was questioned by myself given the healthy passenger figures and it was clear the decision came out if the blue for LBA. Vince stated that Wizz are what might be described as an unstable carrier that is regularly reviewing where they want to be. They are prioritising high density routes where they can fly daily and in the case of Gdansk, (and other Polish routes) , Ryanair are making it difficult. Since Brexit, there has also been a notable reduction in the Polish population as migrant workers have returned home.
* Loganair LHR link.
This is not dead yet. LBA, Loganair and BA remain in discussions regarding a possible code share link to Heathrow. Vince did admit there were obstacles to overcome but didn't expand on that.
