Leeds Bradford: New Route Development & Rumours

[White Heather]

Are they? Which routes are subsidised?


Define what you mean by subsidies? Because I'm sure most airlines at most airports are subsidised in some way or another.

I really don't think I need to define what's obvious. I know what subsidise means and I am fairly sure you do.

Perhaps you prefer the term 'incentivise'?

Clearly different airports 'incentivise' airlines to varying degrees, although I disagree that they all do. Where they do, discounted fees ranging to financial incentives may be offered.

So I'm not sure what your point is. I said that in my view CWL will have subsidised (or incentivised if you prefer) this route. You seem to agree given you claim every airport does it.

 

[Aviador]

The mention of the new WestJet service from Cardiff was simply to demonstrate the type of opportunity that now exists for other regional airports, including Leeds Bradford, given the capabilities of new aircraft. The specific circumstances at Cardiff, including any local incentives, are a separate matter and do not form part of the consideration for Leeds.

 

[Starflyer]

It looks entirely as though WestJet have gone to where the incentives are - Welsh Government at Cardiff and Transport Scotland route support funding at Glasgow. Given LBA (or other English regional airport) has no local government to act as a dispenser of subsidy then the technical capability for the likes of WestJet to use 737Max or Air Transat to use A321LRs on routes like this may need to wait for another day.

 

[JRP]

It’s all gone quiet regarding the extra slots Ryanair have, I wounder if this is the week if anything gets announced

 

[Aviador]

It’s all gone quiet regarding the extra slots Ryanair have, I wounder if this is the week if anything gets announced

Or the week they hand them all back.

 

[White Heather]

Or the week they hand them all back.

Vince Hodder himself said Ryanair would be expanding at LBA in summer 2026 although he wasn't specific as to how much by.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

I see BA have managed to find slots to service an LHR-GCI route. Shame they couldnt find slots for Leeds.

 

[Aviador]

Vince Hodder himself said Ryanair would be expanding at LBA in summer 2026 although he wasn't specific as to how much by.

I'm not disputing that at all and it may well still happen but, the industry is contracting more than expanding at the moment. They may change their mind.

 

[Finger66]

I see BA have managed to find slots to service an LHR-GCI route. Shame they couldnt find slots for Leeds.

That's a "water" thing though. Not really a quick alternative to get to the CI, whereas Leeds has about 3 million trains a day. We have discussed to death about how many would fly P2P on LBA-LHR, probably not enough. LM seem to be out only outside hope for the service returning

 

[Aviador]

Leeds has about 3 million trains a day

I take your point but no matter how many trains operate between London and Leeds none can get you there in 20min or offer connections worldwide.

 

[White Heather]

I see BA have managed to find slots to service an LHR-GCI route. Shame they couldnt find slots for Leeds.

No trains to London from Guernsey. However, the catchment and demand must be tiny in comparison to that here.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

That's a "water" thing though. Not really a quick alternative to get to the CI, whereas Leeds has about 3 million trains a day. We have discussed to death about how many would fly P2P on LBA-LHR, probably not enough. LM seem to be out only outside hope for the service returning

As its BA most would be connecting at LHR from LBA.

 

[Statto]

As its BA most would be connecting at LHR from LBA.

Meaning a slot that is available for a once daily service wouldn't; be much use. A service designed to offer connectivity through T5 needs to offer the frequency and timings to meet that. 3 or 4 daily at a minimum you would think

I'm not disputing that at all and it may well still happen but, the industry is contracting more than expanding at the moment. They may change their mind.

Reasonable to argue that the domestic 50-70 seat business is contracting, what with Eastern, Blue Islands. But that seems to be a continuation of trends we've been seeing for quite a few years. On the other hand, in the last week or so we've had Jet2 opening a base in LGW, easyJet adding more based aircraft to several UK bases, latest quarterly profits up 20% at Ryanair, record half year passengers, profits at Jet2...

None of this is a guarantee that Ryanair will expand at LBA. But as we've been saying, the owners of LBA have sanctioned a pretty major investment programme and they are adding terminal capacity and more stands so you'd have to think they have confidence it will be taken up by someone

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Meaning a slot that is available for a once daily service wouldn't; be much use. A service designed to offer connectivity through T5 needs to offer the frequency and timings to meet that. 3 or 4 daily at a minimum you would think


Reasonable to argue that the domestic 50-70 seat business is contracting, what with Eastern, Blue Islands. But that seems to be a continuation of trends we've been seeing for quite a few years. On the other hand, in the last week or so we've had Jet2 opening a base in LGW, easyJet adding more based aircraft to several UK bases, latest quarterly profits up 20% at Ryanair, record half year passengers, profits at Jet2...

None of this is a guarantee that Ryanair will expand at LBA. But as we've been saying, the owners of LBA have sanctioned a pretty major investment programme and they are adding terminal capacity and more stands so you'd have to think they have confidence it will be taken up by someone

Well, I was told to 'hang on' until November to book a holiday to Split. My assumption was an announcement was coming.

 

[752]

Interesting on dried fruit forum, flyadeal apparently applied for LGW slots for S26. Interesting as it maybe who LBA was targeting, but good to see them have some ambition to fly to the UK.

 

[gulftraveller]

According to their CEO, the airline is getting widebodies - A339s - for their UK flights, starting in 2027.

 

[Finger66]

That rules LBA out then as VH said himself it's only narrow bodies that LBA is targeting. Not to mention an A339 will be just a little too big

 

[Aviador]

That rules LBA out then as VH said himself it's only narrow bodies that LBA is targeting. Not to mention an A339 will be just a little too big

While I also recall him saying that, it is worth noting airports aren't the only ones seeking business and if an airline approaches LBA with a view to launching a service with wide-bodied aircraft, and assuming they have done their homework, LBA is not going to turn their business away.

 

[752]

While I also recall him saying that, it is worth noting airports aren't the only ones seeking business and if an airline approaches LBA with a view to launching a service with wide-bodied aircraft, and assuming they have done their homework, LBA is not going to turn their business away.

They have A321 Neo on order also if it has the legs.

 

[gulftraveller]

As you say, they will also have A321LR which would be more suitable.

But given FlyADeal is a subsidiary of Saudia, SV would want to be careful not to compete with itself. I still think FlyNas would be a better fit: they fly to Islamabad but FlyADeal does not.