Today was the latest Airport Consultative Committee meeting, so although there wasn't a great deal of information we don't already know, here is my report.
Airport company staff/organisational changes.
Various changes in staff, the most notable being that Jim Wylie, Head of ATC, has left in order to return home to Scotland and concentrate on his own business pursuits outside aviation. He was part time, and LBA are now recruiting a replacement, which will be a full time post. Andy Shaw has joined LBA as Head of Risk and Safety Assurance; Joanna Wilde was confirmed as the new Chief Commercial Officer; Paul French has left his role as Chief Finance Officer and a replacement is being recruited.
Terminal development update
As I have tried to explain several times before, the planning application approved by Leeds City Council did not mean that the actual terminal building would be built immediately. Whilst ground works have been undertaken, thereby ensuring that the approval will not lapse, and whilst the architects had produced a 'fly through' video of how the terminal might look, the final design of the interior was not completed. The arrival of the new CEO also led to him wanting to review the proposal to ensure that it met all requirements and that LBA didn't end up with a new terminal extension that was already inadequate by the time it was built. It was confirmed today that with this in mind, LBA referred the matter to a company called AIQ, who are experts in airport terminal requirements, having done similar work at various other airports. They have been working on a complex but necessary model to examine traffic flows, peak demands and other relevant information, with a view to ensuring that the development provides adequate infrastructure to cover all requirements, in particular baggage re-claim (ie number and size of belts) and border force facilities. The report was confirmed as taking longer than hoped due to the complexity (no doubt not helped by the current ups and downs of the aviation industry), but it expected by late October. This will allow LBA management and the design team to adjust the design of the terminal as required. Only when this is completed can the design team undertake work to design tinterior layout, Mechanical & Electrical requirements, and then when the final design is completed, go out to tender. It is hoped that at the next meeting in December, LBA will be in a position to provide the committee with a full presentation as to what will be built, and when it will commence, but this will definitely not be until some time in 2020.
Aviation update
Not a great deal to report that we don't already know. The situation with Ryanair was confirmed, and the LBA understanding is that the reduction to 2 based 737s is a temporary reduction. LBA are in discussion with Ryanair and other operators with regard to 'backfill'. Although not mentioned today, it is clear that Jet2 have responded already by increasing their flights and aircraft size on a number of the routes suspended by Ryanair.
It was confirmed that LBA are in discussions with Thomas Cook and Nouvelair with regard to the continuation of the summer flights to Enfidha for summer 2020.
It was confirmed that LBA continue discussions with KLM with regard to possibly increase in capacity on the AMS route, and are engaged in regular discussions of a similar nature with BA regarding increased flights to LHR. It was stated that the route is doing well at the moment with improved commercial performance.
Confirmed that Eastern/Flybe will be increasing flights to SOU by 4 per week.
Confirmed Aer Lingus Regional (Stobart) will add a further 3 rotations to DUB weekly. These will improve connections to the US and Canada and allow connection to destinations that previously did not work. Bookings are doing well on the additional flights, which commence from this winter schedule.
Confirmed that Flybe will be continuing the flights to NQY, 2 x weekly.
Confirmed that the Accessorize and In Motion retail outlets are now open within the terminal and both are doing very well.
ITV documentary 'Yorkshire Airport'
The airport provided a de-brief on the subject of the recently completed ITV documentary series. It was acknowledged that there are lessons to be learned, and that on social media, the series attracted a lot of negative comment, although it was also stated that there was a perhaps surprising amount of positivity too, often with customers complaining that the series did not reflect on the airport they knew well and was not therefore representative of how it is really. According to ITV, the programme was extremely successful with an average 2.2m viewers per programme - approximately 13.2m over the 6 episodes. It was so successful, ITV want to do a 2nd series. However, this is unlikely to happen. On the positive side, the airport received a lot of positive comment about how good the airport and its facilities looked. The CEO took part in 'The Great phone in' which is better known as the Liz Green show on Radio Leeds, in the wake of the programme airing, and after an initial burst of negativity, this was stated to become mainly positive after listeners had listened to the CEO's responses.
Laser attacks
A presentation was given by a Police Officer from the National Police Air Service, which has its HQ at Wakefield (in space provided by West Yorkshire Police). They are a national organisation which operates 19 helicopters across the country at 13 bases and shortly 4 fixed wing aircraft, all of which will be based at DSA. All helicopters are now Eurocopter models. In response to reported laser attacks on aircraft, NPAS will go to assist aircraft (as they did with the recent incidents in Leeds) and will also do what they can to identify the source of the laser attack. Their helicopters can not only identify the area the attack is originating from, but the exact house, exact window, and the address. They can then arrange for the dispatch of the Police. Almost all laser attacks are directed from the windows, doors or gardens of homes.
New laws now mean it is an offence to shine a laser at any vehicle or aircraft where this might distract or dazzle the person in charge of the vehicle/aircraft. There is no requirement to prove that they intended to endanger the vehicle/aircraft. The law gives the Police power of entry without a warrant so if knocking on the offenders door doesn't get a response, they can enter forcibly and arrest the offender there and then. The offences can be dealt with via Magistrates Court (up to 12 months imprisonment and/or a fine), or can be referred to the Crown Court which carries a maximum penalty of 5 years imprisonment and/or a fine. The action taken can be very successful - and to demonstrate, it was confirmed that the Leeds resident directing their laser at various Jet2 aircraft last month, was identified by the NPAS helicopter, arrested and has been to the Magistrates Court - and due to the nature of the offence, the case has been referred to Crown Court.
