Airport Consultative Committee [Questions & Responses]

[ChrisBBB]

Really good summary and some interesting points, thanks!

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Our favourite Councillor from Leeds City Council once again queried night flights and the numbers compared to the night quota. VH confirmed well below quota this year. Numbers will increase next summer back to pre pandemic levels but still within the quota, which does not include delayed flights from earlier than 2300hrs, nor the new aircraft types such as the A320/1NEO or 737 MAX.

Said Councillor confirmed he has twice flown from LBA this year, and he was remarkably amiable and quiet once he has asked his question.

This winter will see a lot of runway works overnight with more night closures as a result.

Thank you for your summary. LBA seems to be doing well; especially regarding the staff retention.

As for him - I’m glad the pillock did shut up. He’ll be glad if the closure in winter.

 

[Finger66]

Interesting and informative summary as ever WH - thank you. Let’s hope some of VH’s reluctance may bring about some positive news, albeit there seems to be plenty of positivity in your report anyway

 

[lbaspotter]

Great update as ever @White Heather .

Can I ask what are the planned runways works for this winter? As I thought all the upgrading to LED lighting had been completed...

 

[Aviador]

Great update as ever @White Heather .

Can I ask what are the planned runways works for this winter? As I thought all the upgrading to LED lighting had been completed...

Although I don't have the specific facts at hand detailing the planed works, runway works are ongoing. No different from other airport runways or highways, they need heavy maintenance to ensure they stay fit for purpose. This isn't unique to LBA, all airports carry out extensive runway maintenance which is usually carried out through the winter when airports are quieter.

Runway maintenance often includes rubber removal from the runway; re-marking lines and touchdown zones; full concrete pavement replacement; replacement of rubber between concrete pavements; runway surface diamond grooving to improve surface braking action; new or replacement of lighting works and remedial repairs to pavements and surfaces.

 

[White Heather]

Great update as ever @White Heather .

Can I ask what are the planned runways works for this winter? As I thought all the upgrading to LED lighting had been completed...

They didn't say specifically but I imagine that it's to replace the concrete slabs that need doing (last I heard, quite a lot have damage of some sort), or perhaps re-grooving, or both. Just me guessing so could be wrong. I don't think it's lighting. He specifically said runway repairs.

 

[Aviador]

As I said, it will be planned works not emergency repairs and it is a feature every winter to some degree.

 

[lbaspotter]

Thanks for the reply @White Heather & @Aviador

Maybe it's time they look into doing some more radical, like resurfacing the whole runway? It must be costing a small fortune to do this "overnight" maintenance every winter.

We know its been looked previously as it was suggested by the previous CEO.

We have some very late inbound Ryanair's this winter. If they pick up delays we are going to see few diverts due to these planned closures. As during the recent closure's the has been no give or take even for delayed scheduled flight...

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Routine maintenance surely? Sometimes things come up during Summer months with temp fix applied that need a longer term fix applying. Could part of the maintenance be the runway light both centreline and runway edge light maintenance? I imagine they need a yearly MOT/fix.

@lbaspotter recent closures have been more to do with ATC staffing over closures for MX. Usually 9/10 the airport has said its hard closure and cannot altered however the airport/ATC management have been quite flexibility with airlines assessing when is best suited to take a break.

 

[Aviador]

If you can recall a conversation we @lbaspotter @White Heather had with a certain CEO who is no longer at LBA he indicated it was something they were considering at some point in the future. It isn't something which would remove the need for annual runway maintenance works though. In fairness, concrete offers one of the best surface friction of all the runway surfaces available. Other surfaces come with their own problems, recall the news during the heatwave where some runways were melting in the heat! No such problem at LBA.

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[752]

Great feedback as usual White Heather, in terms of DSA, obviously they're going to be tight lipped about anything (If anything!). DSA isn't confirmed to be shutting yet so could be nothing at all. & I am actually surprised nothing got said about IPS airways.. considering a story about them did hit the press, interesting one.

 

[HX3]

With any potential new carrier(s) in mind, does the terminal have capacity, either before the 2 phase development, or during? I imagine any capacity would be out of peak hours, so would work better for something non-based…

 

[White Heather]

With any potential new carrier(s) in mind, does the terminal have capacity, either before the 2 phase development, or during? I imagine any capacity would be out of peak hours, so would work better for something non-based…

I would agree. There's not much room to expand on Jet2 or Ryanair's based aircraft ops until the terminal is sorted, but there's plenty of scope for a non based carrier to arrive mid morning or mid evening when all our based aircraft are out and about .

 

[HX3]

Let’s hope the airports commercial team are able to entice something nice

 

[A400]

At least one Jet2 737 300 will be replaced next summer by a 737 800.

Wonder if it will be GDFG as it’s the oldest -300 in the fleet.

 

[YorkshireLad]

Wonder if it will be GDFG as it’s the oldest -300 in the fleet.

I feel like it will be G-GDFO as it was in heavy maintenance in Dublin in winter 2020/21.

 

[A400]

I feel like it will be G-GDFO as it was in heavy maintenance in Dublin in winter 2020/21.

All of them have had heavy maintenance at some point. I’m saying FG as it’s the oldest but don’t know.

 

[YorkshireLad]

All of them have had heavy maintenance at some point. I’m saying FG as it’s the oldest but don’t know.

It is quite hard to predict. I'm not convinced it will be GDFO myself.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

"Flybe to LHR axed due to poor loads and the fact that Flybe have not made progress with interlining, which they acknowledge is essential to make it work, whilst reduction to one flight daily has reduced point to point demand too. Flybe didn't even publicise the route - doomed from day one. The demand remains for a regular service with a night stopper and interlining and LBA will continue to look for opportunities to reinstate the route"

I would love to know what Flybe's thinking was when they decided to launch this route without an interlining agreement.

 

[ls27]

Slot sitting?