Today was the quarterly airport consultative meeting, which was held for some undisclosed reason, virtually, on Teams. Sadly, Vince Hodder the CEO, who invariably provides us with a huge amount of insight , was called away on business unexpectedly, so unable to attend. The meeting was therefore somewhat truncated and provided little in the way of information to excite.
Passenger figures
The total passenger throughput for the financial year up to week ending 2nd March 2025 was 4,033,546, an increase of 230,000 over the same period last year.
Community Meetings
The LBA PR director spoke about the current round of local meetings. Requests were made for more, in different locations, including Otley and Baildon. It was stated that the current meetings are not only available to local people as the information is general to all areas. So Otley and Baildon residents can attend the Rawdon or Menston events, or others. Nevertheless, the requests were noted for future events.
Airspace Change
This is ongoing and proving to be a nightmare, LBA having had 3 submitted proposals rejected by the CAA who it is said are prone to frequent changes in direction. Submission comments are answered, and resubmitted, only for more comments to be raised that could have been raised first time, but weren't. There is no clear steer and any guidance is vague and liable to change. LBA have been told to take account of DSA airspace but nobody knows what DSA airspace will be, or from when (if ever) so it's impossible to make any proposals based on certainty. So the process is ongoing with no sign of a resolution.
LBA Regeneration
Slides were shown of the ongoing works to the terminal. The baggage belts up from the undercroft to the baggage reclaim hall are now installed. Numerous trades are working throughout the terminal particularly the upper floor now that the building is constructed and weather tight.
Unfortunately, the snow in January caused delay to exterior works which has put the project back a couple of weeks. Currently, completion and handover is expected in mid to late May. Thereafter there will be a period of testing and familiarisation before the extension opens fully to the public some time in June. No specific date has yet been set .
It was stated that when fully completed there will be 5 baggage belts available. However, two are currently boxed off and will not be immediately available. This is while Border Force work from a temporary location pending them moving into their new, permanent location. When they do, the additional two belts will go into use.
Two thirds of the infamous LBA 'bus shelter' walkway has now been demolished. RIP bus shelter walkway. You will be missed.
Maybe not!
It was stated that the view out of the extension over the ramp and airfield was fantastic and panoramic. It certainly looked that way in the photos too.
Commercial update.
In the absence of the CEO there wasn't one. Sorry guys. This is where the best bits usually are, but not this time.
CLEUD Public Inquiry.
An update was given but no detail, partly due to an objection by a Leeds Councillor member who pointed out that the Inquiry was still ongoing. He and other Councillors had been told not to discuss until it was concluded.
The Inquiry had been scheduled to conclude last Friday. However, by Friday, it was clear that there were still two more days' of activity required. The Inspector, therefore suspended the Inquiry on Thursday and it will reconvene in April for two further days.
It was stated that very few members if the public attended, and that They Who Shall Not Be Named livestreamed the daily proceedings to their disciples. Well they would, wouldn't they!
Unfortunately, that was about it. I attended whilst sitting in JCT600 at Wortley whilst my car was serviced. Their new showroom is impressive, the service good and the hot chocolate some of the best . Doing these meetings on Teams doesn't work well though, so hopefully it'll be the usual in person meeting next time in June.
