CAA Provisional Statistics Update

[TheLocalYokel]

Great to see the figures storming ahead and it adds weight to the rumours about further significant growth planned for next year. My guess was only 2.1% out, that's not bad going. It's quite remarkable that LBA handled more passengers than Liverpool during June. It's just a shame the airport can't build up some winter growth to push up the annual totals.

The growth reminds me of Bristol between 2000 and 2005 when passenger numbers jumped from just over 2 mppa to just over 5 mppa.

You and I have often expressed the view that the two airports have many similarities. Around the time this site began I remember a discussion in which I said I was surprised that LBA wasn't nearer 5 mppa at that time (over four years ago).

If this growth continues over the next two or three years that 5 mppa will be well in sight.

 

[Seasider]

I believe that this is the biggest number of passengers handled in a month.

 

[Tarn Spotter]

Suggest if thats the case will be a new record next month and then the month after, assuming 13% on last years July/August figures.

 

[Seasider]

Assuming we get the 10%+ as predicted, July should top 400 000 for the first time and then August should be a new record. If the increase exceeds 10% , till the end of October, then we should have 6 consecutive months (June - October) in excess of 300 000 pax.

 

[Aviador]

Two months on and we're still waiting for the official announcement by the airport for surpassing the 3m passenger milestone. Is it just me that finds this odd? LBA must be the only airport anywhere that doesn't shout about itself.

 

[rmac]

Apart from us who are mad about airports is anybody interested in airport numbers?

 

[Aviador]

Apart from us who are mad about airports is anybody interested in airport numbers?

I disagree, it was a perfect opportunity for some positive public relations spin by the airport. The only thing we've had to read in the press recently has been "Plane makes emergency landing at Leeds-Bradford Airport"

Here's some headlines coming from other airports about passenger number rises.

"Edinburgh airport sees millionth passenger in month"
http://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/ ... -1-3021459

"Passenger growth at Manchester Airport soars above national average – 2.1million pass through in June alone"
http://mancunianmatters.co.uk/content/2 ... lion-pass-

"Abu Dhabi Airport 12% passenger growth in 2013"

http://www.constructionweekonline.com/a ... gCnmZLVCSo

Munich Airport sets H1 passenger record as job growth continues
http://www.moodiereport.com/document.ph ... c_id=35865

Stansted: Airport’s annual passenger total returns to growth
http://www.eadt.co.uk/business/stansted ... _1_2272328

 

[TheLocalYokel]

Apart from us who are mad about airports is anybody interested in airport numbers?

I see where you are coming from and it's certainly true that perhaps many of us who follow civil aviation closely sometimes forget that the wider general has little interest in the subject for its own sake.

However, humans, like the press, are often more fixated on negative issues than positive ones and if LBA was doing badly you can be sure the local news media would be highlighting the figures and the local population would be reacting accordingly, even many of those not interested in the subject per se. Look no further than Wales for the evidence. For the past few years all news media outlets in the Principality have highlighted CWL's problems and the public has not bene slow to make its feelings known.

For that reason alone I believe that airports should publish some headline figures when they are doing well, if only to let those know who haven't a clue and who would certainly be complaining if circumstances were reversed.

I'll bet that many in the LBA immediate catchment would not be sure of the answer if they were asked which is the busier airport, Leeds-Bradford or Humberside? They might assume it's LBA because of the larger population but it would be no more than an assumption.

In my area many aviation buffs from outside the area might be surprised to learn that many people in the West Country think that CWL is busier than BRS because it's the capital city of Wales.

 

[White Heather]

I get the distinct impression that Bridgepoint have a hearty mistrust of the press and make no attempt to feed them information, whether positive or otherwise. They will not refute negative comment no matter what the provocation might be and now it seems they are not particularly interested in giving them good news either. They haven't posted anything on their website either, so it seems like a planned move to say nothing at this time.

Having said all of that, such is the apparent dislike of LBA by the local papers, it wouldn't surprise me if they were aware of the passenger figures but had chosen not to publicise them.

 

[48vanman]

BBC Look North bulletin at 6 30 am just mentioned the record pax numbers at LBA.

Apparently BBC Radio Leeds are broadcasting" behind the scenes" from the airport this morning as well.

 

[lbaspotter]

Good to see that BBC Look North are reporting this good news on TV at last this morning...

But Oh god help the airport as I hope its not Liz Green hosting her BBC Radio Leeds breakfast show from the airport. Only a few weeks ago she made Leeds Arena look bad on its opening day...

Also i wonder if we will hear owt about the romoured new route announcement?

 

[48vanman]

An article has finally appeared on the airport website's "latest news" section celebrating passing the 3 million passenger mark.

lbaspotter-what new route announcement?.I must have missed that one!.

 

[Aviador]

They must have been reading Forums4airports. I've been listening to the radio Leeds show all morning and it's been very positive towards the airport. At one point J Parkin hinted at similar growth planned for next year.

 

[White Heather]

Amazing timing in that the very next day, after our debate yesterday, an announcement is made. It is good to see the BBC taking the matter seriously - hopefully they will do likewise on Look North tonight without spoiling it through negative counter arguments as used to be their style - the usual 'not everyone is happy' routine, wheeling in local residents to complain about noise, track keeping, illegal parking, road congestion, drop off fees, angry taxi drivers - in fact anything to dilute the good news and paint a less positive picture. I suppose they would call it balanced journalism!

 

[rmac]

Balanced journalism: It should be but at times the reporter sent out has to follow a certain line which could be a desire for the editor/controller whoever to put over. It may be a requirement to put over a negative slant and anyone making a positive comment is cut out or not shown. I have seen this happen. Hopefully the BBC Look North will report it for what it is -- good news that the local airport is doing okay!
I am all for the airport reporting on their web site and anywhere else they can the good news about passing the 3 million mark, all I was saying that probably for many it does not mean very much. I can imagine that if I excitedly told my wife that Edinburgh handled more than 1 mllion passengers in a month she would look at me and say "Is that good then?".

 

[bobleeds]

I suppose they would call it balanced journalism!

Unfortunately, good news is rarely regarded as interesting by the media.

Up at the airport yesterday evening to meet & greet some friends from Holland, who are visiting Yorkshire, arriving on the J2 flight. Very encouraging to note the numbers of Dutch, Irish and other non-UK passengers arriving on this and the Ryanair from Dublin. good to see ther is some inbound tourism.

 

[Tarn Spotter]

Maybe their holding off for a massive promotion on 4M in summer 2015

 

[lbaspotter]

If you like myself and you couldn't listen into Today’s BBC Radio Leeds “Wes Butters morning show” broadcasted Live from Leeds/Bradford Airport.
Well the good news is that the show can be listened back in full for the next 7 days on the BBC I-Player using the following link. http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01cm0vh

 

[White Heather]

Thanks lbaspotter. I understand the programme was quite positive about the airport. Shame then that BBC didn't consider it needed even a mention on Look North, despite having a reporter at the airport for the entire morning covering this story. We did get a very informative item about Fish and Chips though!

 

[News Guru]

[textarea]BOSSES at Leeds Bradford Airport were flying high today after reaching a passenger traffic milestone.

The airport announced yesterday that it had been used by three million people over the last 12 months – the biggest total in its long and proud history.

Passenger levels also showed impressive year-on-year rises of 19.6 per cent and 12.9 per cent in May and June respectively.

Read more: http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/n ... -1-5932425[/textarea]