Airport Consultative Committee [Questions & Responses]

[JRP]

Thank you Heather once again

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Thanks, I don't underestimate the effort required to takes notes and redact before you send your report.

Keep it up!

 

[LBA787]

Today was the latest Airport Consultative Committee meeting, and despite a somewhat unreliable link to the meeting (which was held on Microsoft Teams), I managed to hear, if not see, most of the meeting. So here is a brief overview for your information.

Hywel Rees (CEO) update:

July and August were relatively good for passenger throughput and more than was originally expected. Even so, passenger numbers in August were just 15% of what was achieved last year. September started well but recent Government announcements on quarantine have caused an immediate downturn in traffic. As an example, the Faro route was operating at 90% capacity immediately after the quarantine rules were lifted, but when they were re-instated 2 weeks later, this dropped to just 20%. Passenger confidence in booking holidays is therefore badly damaged, not just by the Covid issue but by the way that Government have changed things at short notice, leaving holidaymakers facing quarantine when they return home. There remains no Government support for the airport sector (or aviation generally) despite intense lobbying for them to do so. A very quiet winter is anticipated as a result, but LBA will be remaining open for business.

The Jet2 check in hall (Hall B) now has its new baggage belt working and this has been very successful. Jet2 are delighted with it. Baggage capacity has increased by around 2.5 times meaning passengers can be processed more quickly with less delays and no break downs.

The security screening area has been upgraded recently and this has had a major impact on the efficiency of the process at LBA, with capacity increased from 150 per hour (per belt) to 350.

Airport cleanliness has been a focus and the terminal is now described as being cleaner and more hygienic than it has ever been, with all floors and surfaces clean and tidy and toilet facilities kept very clean at all times. This has attracted comment from customers and one Councillor member on the committee commented in support of this following her own recent flight from LBA.

Terminal Planning Process . This is now reaching its conclusion. LBA have done everything possible to ensure any new terminal will be as sustainable as possible. Hywel Rees commented that whilst 60% of people who commented, opposed the development, the 40% in favour was well above what would normally be expected. The industry norm is 20% in favour, 80% against. He indicated therefore that he was very pleased with the level of support demonstrated for this development. He mentioned Bristol airport as a typical example where 3 times as many people wrote to the council planning portal and of those 80% opposed the development.

In response to questions he re-iterated that the signs are that once the restrictions caused by Covid are lifted, there will be a relatively quick recovery in terms of passenger numbers. Airlines are planning for a 2 to 4 year recovery but the signs are that 2 years is closer to reality. Airlines for next year are showing encouraging bookings and planning for a busy summer 2021.

Business Development - Tom Holdsworth

Not a great deal to report for obvious reasons. It was confirmed that Turkish routes were doing very well through the pandemic. Newquay (Eastern Airways) has done very well since operations commenced with the result that it is now confirmed as an all year round service. Aer Lingus (Belfast City) commences a week today (1 October) with a gradual increase in services on the route planned. Ryanair have had strong demand through the pandemic for services to Eastern Europe and this has prompted the return of the route to Vilnius. Further improvements to Eastern European routes are likely from Ryanair going forward if demand remains as it is. Watch this space. LBA are continuing to discuss the return of the London Heathrow route with British Airways but they are clear that if it is to be restored in the future (Post pandemic) it needs to have timings that are suitable, specifically a night stopper. They remain hopeful that the route may be restored in time (it is currently suspended, not axed completely). However, they recognise that Teesside now has a flight by Eastern to LHR, although with very poor timings which have no connectivity or code share, and Eastern is an option that LBA would also look at if necessary.

Covid 19 issues within and outside the terminal

A presentation was done by Neil Pervis but unfortunately this coincided with a temporary loss of sound and picture on Teams, so I was unable to hear or see the vast majority. However, it was demonstrating the lengths LBA have gone to in order to ensure the safety of passengers at all stages of their passage through the terminal. All areas and touch points are sanitised frequently by wipe down and also by use of an anti bacterial fogger machine that cleans the air and surfaces. It was do stated that aircraft AC filters had been changed and these now kill Covid, greatly reducing the risk of transmission on board.

Terminal Development update - Charles Johnson

The Consultation Period is now effectively ended. The total number of comments sent to LCC Planning Portal was lower than anticipated for a planning application related to an airport with a total of 3212, only a third of what was submitted to the recent Bristol Airport application. Again it was stated that 1312 (approx 40% o)f these were supporting the application which is more than anticipated, and more than is normal for any airport planning application.

It was stated that the Leeds City Council Environmental Office report has stated that there are no grounds to reject the terminal application on the grounds of noise, or health, and it has also been confirmed that the CO2 emissions do NOT impact on local targets as they are the responsibility of Government and are controlled a national level - something we have been preaching on here for some time. It was also confirmed that contrary to claims by opponents, the application does comply with the Paris Agreement. With regard to road traffic etc. there are plans and actions which will enable LBA to get traffic emissions down to current levels even with the proposed 7m passengers per annum and possibly even lower than at present.

The LCC Plans Panel meet tomorrow at 1330 hrs and a presentation of the Position Report will be made to them by the Planning Officer. This meeting is available to view if anyone wishes to do so and is accessible on the Leeds City Council website via Plans Panel/Agenda 25/9/20 and then clicking the link. No decision will be made tomorrow - this is an opportunity for questions to be asked and answers to be obtained before any final decision is made by the panel. Overall, the tone of the presentation was very positive and LBA are clearly happy with the outcome of the report that is being presented to the Plans Panel tomorrow, which includes the information supplied by the LCC engaged Consultants, WSP.

In response to a question it was confirmed again that LBA do have planning consent (given January 2019) to expand the current terminal and grow to 7m passengers per annum and could still do this if the terminal was rejected. However it was also stated that in doing so, it would not be possible for the airport to give passengers the quality passenger experience that is required today. It was acknowledged that the public perception remains one of expansion due to the changes in day/night flying hours and the intended growth to 7m passengers by 2032, but this is not really the case and this application is about modernising, not growth. It was stated that this is a message that LBA need to get across more forcibly to counter the negative and inaccurate claims by objectors and within the press.

It was confirmed that the Parkway Station is still on track (pardon the pun). Growth Rail Improvement Process (GRIP) has 8 stages from start to finish. Stages 3 and 4 are the key stages and the Parkway Station has just completed Stage 3 - outline design. A Consultancy has now been engaged to take this forward through Stage 4 - detailed design. This is likely to take 12 months - after which it can go to tender. LBA anticipate if nothing de-rails this scheme (pardon the pun again!) the station should be open to traffic in 2024/5.

Hopefully you guys find something of interest in this update.

Thank you once again White Heather.

 

[752]

Great feedback again White Heather, thank you.

In regards to Business Development, cant say I'm shocked with having not much in the pipeline.. Ryanair seem to be playing it sensible with adding Eastern Europe destinations where appropriate and going forward, looks like more could be added (in line with COVID-19 travel restrictions) Along with Jet2, consistent in adding more Turkey flights (getting revenue where possible)

Great news on the airport still on BA backs - again can't say I am shocked with the suspension due to high volume to connecting traffic, who knows, when all is resumed/recovering, BA will be needing them long haul planes full and to do this they will need a strong feed from the regions, a night stopper in the future will be fantastic, but to have the service we had before would also be very welcome. (Personally can not see Eastern working due to no connecting traffic & LBA would probably have to back hand them a lot of cash like the Major of Teeside is doing) and is not worth it flying it down just about empty..

In regards to the terminal development, my previous posts on this forum I did also state that I personally didn't think 60%/40% was a too bad figure for a terminal development (own personal views) and i'm glad the airport also see it the same way. especially when comparing to Bristol (however I do hope they can get their ruling over turned) will benefit the aviation industry as a whole.

Seems a very positive meeting considering the circumstances, I know as a forum we hope for the best outcome for the terminal and it seems like the management have their head screwed, explored all avenues and approached the right people also they will have the right business case to get it passed. (I personally can not see how LCC can reject this).. Private investment in Leeds region of £150M I cant see many other cities/regions right now having that sort of money thrown at them.

 

[AirBingley]

Great positive update in these uncertain times! I have rewritten to LBA about the Eastern connection from Teesside as on the northbound yesterday there were 25 pax booked and 14 actually present (11 outbound last week). Times are tough at the moment but surely this must be a vanity service and LBA would be a much better punt if BA can't be lured back although when they are forced to run slots at LHR the might look at LBA as they will need connecting traffic!

 

[gcoabc1]

First time writing in and am sadly a little dazed. Sat through a sizeable chunk of today’s LCC Planning meeting. I don’t know whether to laugh, cry or be sick. How do some of these people find their way out of their front door let alone decide on such matters. It was borderline comedy at times.
It is clear who has already made their minds up and will not be swayed when answers come back to them at the next meeting and I thought Bradford Council was shocking.
I believe it will get passed, but narrowly, and I pity the poor Council Officers having to deal with this bunch.
End of rant.

 

[Scottie Dog]

Not a rant at all, but a clear understanding of how you felt the meeting went.

By the way, congratulations on your first post - it's always good when a 'secret lurker' joins the discussions!! I look forward to reading more of your observations.

 

[gcoabc1]

Thanks for the welcome. Not a techie but love aviation and was privileged to work on Airport Security for 6 months early in 2003 when Jet 2 started after retiring from Parcelforce after 32 years.
The Council had recently transferred Security to Group 4.
Some affinity with Offint and WH on operational, logistics, large scale projects and higher management. Thoroughly enjoyed getting the feel of the forum before braving intro.

 

[White Heather]

I find it quite scary knowing the characters of some of the councillors who clearly have no interest at all in what is good for this city or the people in it, and use their position to further their own personal agendas.

 

[gcoabc1]

I also worry about the people who vote them into office. Have they ever met them?
I felt it was badly managed, confusing and controlled by just one or two councillors posing for the cameras.
Do they know they really know they represent the people of Leeds and in some cases, the City Region etc. and there is a bigger picture here.

 

[Wardair166]

Are we any wiser as to a potential decision date??

 

[White Heather]

Are we any wiser as to a potential decision date??

No. I understand it will be October but don't know any more than that.

 

[Seasider]

I missed the live meeting but have watched most of it on You Tube.
The standard of "public speaking" was atrocious. The only people who came across well were the Council's planning officers, Consultant and LBA CEO.
You could tell the councilors who had already made up their minds to turn it down and were looking to delay the final decision. They obviously wanted to include the carbon emission limits locally not nationally. Considering aviation contributes 2% of carbon emissions, I hope they take the same interest in industries that emit more. One Councillor did say that you have to balance the environmental impact against the economic benefit whereas no one else seemed interested in developing the City & Region economy

If it does get passed, and I'm not sure it will, there will be a lot of delay tactics.

I am now going to lie down in a darkened room and think of my Canal Boat trip next week.

 

[White Heather]

The problem is that these councillors are just as likely to form their own, negative and ill informed views of a high profile application like this and be equally influenced by the garbage spouted by the likes of GALBA, so the problem is now getting them to change their views. Difficult, especially if they are more interested in their own personal views than the future if the city.
If they turn it down, despite the evidence supplied, and despite the support of the likes of Bradford City Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and also despite it being Leeds City Council policy to support the development of the airport, then I hope that, like Bristol, LBA appeal, as the decision is clearly not based on facts or evidence. Unfortunately my understanding is this is a one off offer to develop the airport and an appeal will not be forthcoming if it's rejected. The money will find its way to a more deserving city, airport, or project.

 

[Wardair166]

Should the worst happen and the imbeciles aka " Keep LBA a 1960s facility" succeed, are LBA commited to expand the current terminal using last year's planning consent?

 

[Wardair166]

Councillors clash over Leeds Bradford Airport expansion as planning dispute intensifies | Bradford Telegraph and Argus

www-thetelegraphandargus-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org

 

[White Heather]

Should the worst happen and the imbeciles aka " Keep LBA a 1960s facility" succeed, are LBA commited to expand the current terminal using last year's planning consent?

No. They acknowledge they could but have said that scheme will not proceed as the customer experience will not be good enough. It will also not resolve many of the issues caused by the current terminals poor layout. Throwing good money after bad springs to mind.

Personally though I hope they do, as it would ensure the opponent's don't get their own way and it would at least improve the situation. Perhaps they should also build the crescent infill extension that they also have consent for!

My one criticism of LBA on this is that in my view they should have made it clear they WILL build the extensions and WILL expand anyway if the terminal is refused. As it is, Councillors think that by saying no, they can prevent the increased flying approved in January 2019.
The thing that amazes me most is that this Plans Panel is unchanged from the one that approved the terminal extension, and growth in 2019. The big difference is that then, nobody said much. Brexit dominated everything. Seems like they have fallen under the influence of the climate activists since and maybe see this as a chance to reverse what they approved.

 

[Wardair166]

What I struggle to comprehend is that expansion is not the issue on the table(this has already been approved). Modernisation to a more eco friendly facility is the issue at hand. Why would anyone of sane mind object to this????????

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Correct, as I understand it this is all about re designation of 06:00 to 06:30 as daytime, thereby removing it from the nightime period when a quota exists. With a single runway exactly how many extra flights do they expect in this half hour, remembering that at least 2 flights already operate before 06:30? The objectors seem to think this planning is about the increase to 7m passengers pa, which clearly it isnt.

 

[rmac]

If a factory wanted to knock down and build a modern efficient one on their own ground would anyone object! So why object to a new eco friendly terminal built at owners expense and benefitting the community. Expansion? what expansion - well up to 7 million per year but this is already approved, and even then 7 million is not that big, what about all those airports planning on getting bigger but who already handle 10million +. Is Manchester deciding that they are big enough now? Is Manchester city Council holding them back? -I don 't think so.