Airport Consultative Committee [Questions & Responses]

[Bigman]

Excellent report WH. Always appreciated. Re the express bus, perhaps operating a bus via Bramhope - Lawnswood - Ring Road - Scott Hall Road - Leeds might be a possibility. I have also thought that maybe sending it round the ring road from Horsforth roundabout via Dawsons Corner and Stannigley bypass would be another option. The real pinch-point on the route is Kirstall Road between Canal Road and Kirkstall Lights, not to mention a 15 minute queue up New Road Side to get across Horsforth Roundabout.

 

[White Heather]

Apron expansion news would be welcome!!!

I agree, but I cannot report what wasn't on the agenda. The Masterplan makes it clear that apron expansion is on the agenda within the next couple of years and I have had that confirmed personally by an airport manager, but it appears it won't happen until the terminal development is completed. I suspect managing both sets of contractors around the airport at the same time would not be a good idea. In fact, speaking as someone with a project management background it would have the potential to be a complicated logistical nightmare! Under current regulations, the major contractor (terminal) would have to take responsibility for all things H&S related done by the second contractor (apron). It makes sense to do one after the other, not at the same time.

 

[rmac]

Does anyone know roughly how long it takes to construct a stand? It is not simply pouring concrete, -drainage, lighting etc all need to be incorporated. However the work may be slotted in at suitable times.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Does anyone know roughly how long it takes to construct a stand? It is not simply pouring concrete, -drainage, lighting etc all need to be incorporated. However the work may be slotted in at suitable times.

I'm certainly no expert but my local airport at Bristol has built several new ones in recent years and two more are currently nearing completion. The work was typically carried out in winter and took several months each time.

 

[lbaspotter]

Very good report as ever White Heather.

It's good to read thats things are happening up at LBA. It might be a bit slower than we all want on here, but we beggers can't be choosers!

Re the express bus, perhaps operating a bus via Bramhope - Lawnswood - Ring Road - Scott Hall Road - Leeds might be a possibility. I have also thought that maybe sending it round the ring road from Horsforth roundabout via Dawsons Corner and Stannigley bypass would be another option. The real pinch-point on the route is Kirstall Road between Canal Road and Kirkstall Lights, not to mention a 15 minute queue up New Road Side to get across Horsforth Roundabout.

Sounds like a magical mistical tour of either North or West Leeds. I think both them route options would be a no go for a Bus operator. Don't quote me on that as I maybe wrong.....
My gut feeling says Yorkshire Tiger could make the exsisting 757 service a limited Stop service. Eg picking up/Dropping off only at Yeadon Stoops, Rawdon Crossroads, Horsforth Ring Road, Kirkstall Lights Leeds bus and Rail Station instead of competing against first Leeds for local customers. I do know under current plans this route will be diverted once the new link Road is open so to avoid both Yeadon and Rawdon.
Diverting the 747 to call into at Appley Bridge Station makes alot of sense. Seems stupid as is now passing nearby.

 

[LBA8098]

I'm certainly no expert but my local airport at Bristol has built several new ones in recent years and two more are currently nearing completion. The work was typically carried out in winter and took several months each time.

BRS is a proactive airport when it comes to development. LBA is NOT!

 

[lbaspotter]

BRS is a proactive airport when it comes to development. LBA is NOT!

I agree that might have been the case in the past. But the airport under this managerment have so far been very proactive.
They are about to start a construction of a major terminal building extension. As White Heather has indicated they do have plans to build new stands.
Looking even further forward they have plans to increase passenger numbers upto 7 million by 2030, also both the Parkway Rail Station and A65-A658 link road projects are in the pipeline with Leeds City Council singing from the same hym sheet at long last.

 

[Aviador]

@White Heather As a dedicated forum for discussing development at the airport is there any chance LBA could perhaps provide this forum with images to share with people who are interested in the airports development progress? I know our Manchester forum has unique access to images detailing the Transformation Project that are in progress there.

 

[LBA8098]

Excellent idea if feasible. I for one would be extremely interested.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Surprised to hear Chris Sanders is retiring. He seemed so full of enthusiasm and determination. I wonder what hope there is of securing new airlines/routes by someone less committed.

 

[Finger66]

Yes all this does seem slow but have to agree we are getting more than we have had for years. It can only be a good thing in the long run. No point in more stands, however much we want them, when the existing terminal already struggles at peak times. Frustrating as it may be it is all quite logical

 

[White Heather]

@White Heather As a dedicated forum for discussing development at the airport is there any chance LBA could perhaps provide this forum with images to share with people who are interested in the airports development progress? I know our Manchester forum has unique access to images detailing the Transformation Project that are in progress there.

I can only ask Aviador. I did ask yesterday that LBA post their videos of the terminal extension plans on their website, so that anyone can access and see them - which they agreed to do once they were finalised - the one they showed yesterday remained subject to some layout changes. At least if it is on the website, everyone can see what is planned.

Surprised to hear Chris Sanders is retiring. He seemed so full of enthusiasm and determination. I wonder what hope there is of securing new airlines/routes by someone less committed.

That is rather a strange assumption to make LBAYorkie. Chris Sanders' appointment was always going to be short term and it was known when he joined LBA that he would be retiring around now. I don't think however we can assume that his replacement, who has 10 years experience working for Easyjet, is going to be less committed. Why would he be and why would anyone think he is? Or his assistant. LBA are replacing one person with two, which suggests they are actually increasing their efforts, not reducing them.

Yes all this does seem slow but have to agree we are getting more than we have had for years. It can only be a good thing in the long run. No point in more stands, however much we want them, when the existing terminal already struggles at peak times. Frustrating as it may be it is all quite logical

Absolutely right Finger66. The terminal is already at bursting point during peak summer times with our existing stands (not sure how many these days but around 24?). Build more now and where do the passengers go who are leaving on the additional flights? The terminal expansion is designed to enable LBA to handle 7m passengers per year with comfort and once completed and there is capacity for more passengers, then it makes sense to provide any additional stands, particularly if they have an intention to bring wide body aircraft into LBA at stated.

 

[White Heather]

@White Heather As a dedicated forum for discussing development at the airport is there any chance LBA could perhaps provide this forum with images to share with people who are interested in the airports development progress? I know our Manchester forum has unique access to images detailing the Transformation Project that are in progress there.

Aviador, I have written to LBA just now and asked the question.

 

[leedslad]

Any chance of requesting signage for "ride share" (uber) pick up point?

Not easy to work out for Arrivals unfamiliar with airport and no signage so far as I could tell.

 

[White Heather]

Any chance of requesting signage for "ride share" (uber) pick up point?

Not easy to work out for Arrivals unfamiliar with airport and no signage so far as I could tell.

I can't raise this Leedslad until the next meeting, which is 3 months away (June). If you remind me nearer the time I will try to raise thet question at the next meeting. The RideShare thing isn't something I am familiar with so any further information at that time, such as where this is located, what RideShare is etc. would help.

 

[leedslad]

Thanks

It's basically any app like Uber which allows you to hail a taxi. Due to Arrow cars having terminal front access they have designated a specific area in the drop off zone where uber cars are agreed to stop.

Within the app you get a map pointing you to the pick up point however it isn't sign posted from Arrivals. I've seen many other airports now signposting rideshare or Uber pick up points.

 

[KARFA]

I can't raise this Leedslad until the next meeting, which is 3 months away (June). If you remind me nearer the time I will try to raise thet question at the next meeting. The RideShare thing isn't something I am familiar with so any further information at that time, such as where this is located, what RideShare is etc. would help.

Basically there is a designated pick up point at LBA so when you order you uber (usually when still passing through the baggage hall!) it makes you confirm you will go to that designated point. The uber pick up point is just the normal taxi drop off/pick up point in the terminal express car park.

 

[leedslad]

The app told me I'd be picked up in the Short stay car park. I didn't check the map and walked to the business short stay car park then realised it meant the express drop off car park.

I think it'd be handy for Arrivals to be able to follow obvious signage...

 

[White Heather]

I assume that there is signage to the taxi pick up area in the express drop off area? If so, would we expect LBA to provide separate, specific signage just for Uber, or is it reasonable to assume that all taxis pick up at the designated taxi pick up/drop off - in which case, is the fault actually with Uber for being less than specific? Surely they should confirm the pick up point to be in the Express Drop off car park, so the customer knows to go there? Happy to raise this, but would we expect LBA to provide specific signage just for Uber when there is already signage for the taxi pick up area?

 

[leedslad]

I'd say typically uber don't pick up from taxi ranks, so I wouldn't typically expect uber to be picking up from same spot. I can't recall if there was signage to regular taxi pick up spot or not...