Aviador said:
Bridgepoint have had the airport for the best part of a decade now so whatever is in the long awaited masterplan I will be inclined to question their ability to carry any of the work.
On the basis of what you have seen and heard today and without disclosing anything, do you think Bridgepoint can deliver what they have in their masterplan?
Having a masterplan is no guarantee that any works will commence or take place in the future. It will however, look good in a company prospectus.
Personally I think that Bridgepoint are more likely to do the work included in the Masterplan than their predecessors, who frankly did almost nothing that was in the original plan. However, as you all know, a plan is a plan, and is not a guaranteed development. All along Bridgepoint have said that they are not in the business of spending huge sums of money on aspirational projects, only have them sat there unused. They have been consistent in saying that when the business is secured that requires development, they are not about to turn that business down by failing to develop. This is in their thinking for all aspects of the terminal and airfield development - nothing new there. I know that some think they have not spent as much as they should at LBA - that is a matter of opinion I guess but people do tend to forget the money spent on the type of schemes that are necessary and legally required, such as the drainage and pollution system. However, I have no reason to doubt their commitments within the plan and unlike the last one, this one has been put together in discussion with stakeholders (and in particular the planning authorities). So what is in the plan is likely to be supported by the Council - not opposed.
Ultimately, I think that there will be some elements of the plan will definitely happen soon, some in the interim , and some further down the line when they need to be done.
My message therefore is (Airport Support Group speaking) - if you want to see LBA develop to its full potential with all that is in the Masterplan delivered, then use LBA. More demand will spawn more services and eventually more routes, which will lead to more passengers and more developments.
What I would also say is......if LBA are not intending to deliver, I wonder why they have employed an Airport Development Manager, who attended the meeting yesterday? I am sure she has not joined LBA to oversee toilet refurbishments.
Sorry I can't tell you more - and although I saw what is being planned, the presentation was at a fairly quick pace and there are quite a few elements of the plan that I would have to look at more closely to see what was intended, and over what timescale. I understand it will be on line to view by the end of next week, so you have just 1 more week to wait.
