Leeds Bradford: Airport Consultative Committee Questions & Responses

[White Heather]

Excellent report once again. Was anything discussed about cargo, or is it well and truly buried?

Not on the agenda today LBAYorkie, but that doesn't mean nothing is happening. They tend to be selective about what is on the agenda due to time constraints.

 

[louis_walton]

Great report Heather as usual. The only issue is for me personally that LBA seem to just talk and not actually see any results (however I’m sure they are working very hard). Also the fact they are “talking to other airline” baffles me as all we ever see is Jet2 expanding which is great for LBA as they are carrying and passenger numbers but we need a new mix (did someone say orange is the future?). All they are doing is increasing prices but adding flexibility which is frustrating as it’s more convenient but ridiculousl to pay. With the reductions from Ryanair we will see lots more pax travelling elsewhere for flight only holidays which are still just as popular. I think the only news we will hear from BA which is positive is that they are using the A320 as the 19’s have been scrapped. With regards to KLM another rotation or larger aircraft would be great after all their years at LBA. The positives clearly must be that the terminal is being further looked into with more care as personally I would like a crafted terminal rather than a rushed one. Was their a discussion about new business routes?

 

[jw2k]

Many thanks for the update @White Heather!

 

[Len Fish]

Good to read about about the arrest of someone regarding the recent laser incident and the technology available to identify the offenders. Let’s hope a suitable custodial sentence is handed down from the Crown Court as a deterrent, together with publicity in the press to highlight the consequences.

 

[leedslad]

I'm assuming any changes to the terminal expansion will only be internal?

 

[White Heather]

I'm assuming any changes to the terminal expansion will only be internal?

Yes. If they change the exterior in terms of appearance, size etc. it would have to be referred back to the planning department. I think the review going on is more to do with the interior facilities - so for example, not just how many baggage belts are required now, based on 4m passengers, and at peak periods, but what the picture would look like in 10 years if we had 7m passengers. What would the 'peak period' look like then? If the operations at LBA were similar to now, there would still be the afternoon and evening rushes, but if the airport manage to attract a different type of airline, carrying more business passengers, then the situation might change slightly. If they change the number or size of the belts, then it follows that the size of the baggage re-claim hall may need to change, and that would have a knock on effect throughout the building. Guess we will just have to wait and see what they come up with.

 

[White Heather]

Was their a discussion about new business routes?

Not this time Louis, but there was last time. LBA management are keen to address the imbalance between leisure and business routes out of LBA and have said on several occasions that they wish to attract more business orientated airlines and routes. However, they have also said that firstly, the current constraints of the terminal do not endear themselves to that type of airline, and that they are more likely to be successful in attracting such airlines once the terminal is extended. Secondly they have pointed out that the current aviation market is not ideal for attracting new airlines, with oil prices high (causing issues for some airlines that have not hedged their fuel costs effectively), several airlines going bust, some currently in trouble, well documented issues caused by the grounding of the 737 MAX, various airlines suffering industrial action etc. Basically, airlines are very cautious at the moment. At least we are seeing the re-establishment of routes such as Newquay (which appeared to be lost), with additional flights on Southampton and Dublin. I can't help wondering what might have happened if FlyBmi hadn't gone under. LBA spent a long time trying to get them to LBA with plans for future expansion and even a base here, so I have to feel sorry for them that they are now back to square one.

 

[White Heather]

It was stated by the Police Officer that even first time offenders have been given custodial sentences of 9 months or more, and where they go to Crown Court, the penalties are likely to be higher.

 

[louis_walton]

Not this time Louis, but there was last time. LBA management are keen to address the imbalance between leisure and business routes out of LBA and have said on several occasions that they wish to attract more business orientated airlines and routes. However, they have also said that firstly, the current constraints of the terminal do not endear themselves to that type of airline, and that they are more likely to be successful in attracting such airlines once the terminal is extended. Secondly they have pointed out that the current aviation market is not ideal for attracting new airlines, with oil prices high (causing issues for some airlines that have not hedged their fuel costs effectively), several airlines going bust, some currently in trouble, well documented issues caused by the grounding of the 737 MAX, various airlines suffering industrial action etc. Basically, airlines are very cautious at the moment. At least we are seeing the re-establishment of routes such as Newquay (which appeared to be lost), with additional flights on Southampton and Dublin. I can't help wondering what might have happened if FlyBmi hadn't gone under. LBA spent a long time trying to get them to LBA with plans for future expansion and even a base here, so I have to feel sorry for them that they are now back to square one.

I think a real relationship could have been made between BMI and LBA are only hope now for similar connections would be Loganair who do seem to be expanding at the moment.

 

[lbaspotter]

Thanks once again for the update @White Heather really is much appreciated.

Sounds like lots of things going on behind the scenes but the nothing to see on the outside, which is normally with the case when things are commercial in confidence seen as they don't want others to know whats going on...

 

[KARFA]

I think a real relationship could have been made between BMI and LBA are only hope now for similar connections would be Loganair who do seem to be expanding at the moment.

Yes there seems to be lots of LM expansion - all completely bypassing LBA tho.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1174651286454788096

https://twitter.com/x/status/1174650065157332998

 

[White Heather]

But as far as both these routes are concerned, the rail option is relatively poor. The EMA catchment area is Derby/Nottingham and surrounding areas mainly and as such, not on the East Coast Main Line. Derby has the painfully slow cross country trains up to Edinburgh and Glasgow - not sure Nottingham has anything really. I know Leeds also has the same painfully slow trains to Scotland but it is a full 100 miles closer and on those trains that translates into around 1.5 hours lessl travelling time, which can make all the difference. We all know that the CEO of Loganair is a Leeds lad and he used to claim himself as LBA's biggest fan - but if he isn't flying here it can only be because the numbers don't stack up. Being central in the UK has its advantages, but for air travel it also seems to bring with it some disadvantages too.

 

[Finger66]

The only way I could see us getting LM is if T3 pulled off SOU. They might then be interested in a twice daily ABZ LBA SOU LBA ABZ on an ATR. Trouble is T3 seem to want to try make a go of SOU for now at least. LM tried GLA and couldn't get the numbers to add up. EDI is too easy by train. Doesn't leave much else really. Finger Air using HAL 228s anyone lol

 

[Bigman]

White Heather is right in that Leeds (and Wakefield for that matter) have a regular hourly rail service to Edinburgh, and 2-hourly to Glasgow. Yes it might be 3 hours point-to-point, but you can get a lot of work done on a train these days, and don't have to go through the inevitable hassle that airports have to offer. There will be an additional hourly service to Edinburgh starting in December thanks to Transpennine.

 

[Jerry]

White Heather is right in that Leeds (and Wakefield for that matter) have a regular hourly rail service to Edinburgh, and 2-hourly to Glasgow. Yes it might be 3 hours point-to-point, but you can get a lot of work done on a train these days, and don't have to go through the inevitable hassle that airports have to offer. There will be an additional hourly service to Edinburgh starting in December thanks to Transpennine.

The ability to work on the train is why my sister always uses train going to London and not the flight from Leeds Bradford.

 

[KARFA]

But as far as both these routes are concerned, the rail option is relatively poor. The EMA catchment area is Derby/Nottingham and surrounding areas mainly and as such, not on the East Coast Main Line. Derby has the painfully slow cross country trains up to Edinburgh and Glasgow - not sure Nottingham has anything really. I know Leeds also has the same painfully slow trains to Scotland but it is a full 100 miles closer and on those trains that translates into around 1.5 hours lessl travelling time, which can make all the difference. We all know that the CEO of Loganair is a Leeds lad and he used to claim himself as LBA's biggest fan - but if he isn't flying here it can only be because the numbers don't stack up. Being central in the UK has its advantages, but for air travel it also seems to bring with it some disadvantages too.

It was really to serve as another example of new routes starting at other UK airports and not at LBA tbh. I could have mentioned other recent examples at NCL, LPL etc.

It is very clear LBA has underperformed in the past and continues to do so now. What routes should LBA be attracting both for domestic and international and why are they not coming?

 

[LBAYORKIE]

The disappointing thing to me is that the previous Airport Director and his Deputy (from Newcastle) were supposed to have all the right contacts within airlines, Emirates and Easyjet were mentioned specifically yet the nothing materialised. If they couldnt do it who could?
Having said that why did they leave? I got the impression from the start they would be around as long as it took to get new services in place and the airport tuned-around. Why did they leave?

 

[Seasider]

The disappointing thing to me is that the previous Airport Director and his Deputy (from Newcastle) were supposed to have all the right contacts within airlines, Emirates and Easyjet were mentioned specifically yet the nothing materialised. If they couldnt do it who could?
Having said that why did they leave? I got the impression from the start they would be around as long as it took to get new services in place and the airport tuned-around. Why did they leave?

A very good question. Can anyone answer it?

 

[White Heather]

No, and I doubt the answer will ever be known. It was all very sudden and the CEO was stated to be taking on a Consultative role within the company that owns LBA. Read into that what you will......

 

[LBAYORKIE]

I suspect the truth is known by some members but perhaps this is not the place to discuss it.
Just to clariy it wasnt just David laws who left was it? Didnt someone else come down from Newcastle with him? Might be something to do with the privatisation of Newcastle airport.