Leeds Bradford: Infrastructure & Construction Updates

[LBA8098]

Just reading the BRS forum and the massive infrastructural investment that continues to enhance this operation. The contrast in the investment situation between BRS and LBA in the past decade could not be more stark. BRS currently handling 8.5 million LBA 4 million. Do I need to say any more.?

 

[louis_walton]

Just reading the BRS forum and the massive infrastructural investment that continues to enhance this operation. The contrast in the investment situation between BRS and LBA in the past decade could not be more stark. BRS currently handling 8.5 million LBA 4 million. Do I need to say any more.?

We’re similar space wise we both don’t have enough! They also have a short runway and only TUI doing long haul. They seem to be much more focused on short haul.

 

[White Heather]

The major difference is they don't have Manchester just over the hill, sucking in the majority of their passengers. The only 'nearby' airport to BRS is CWL which at present is hardly a threat to their growth.

 

[LBA8098]

I think the MAN factor is definitely a major factor. However there is far too much leakage over the Pennines. You often have to speculate to accumulate. No venture no gain.

 

[paully]

This is purely anecdotal before I start but we have a very reliable and busy airport taxi courier we employ and have for years. He covers all the north of England airports and I value his opinion. He brought us back on our recent arrival into Manchester, which even in arrivals late at night is a dismal experience. He says that more and more passengers are coming to the same verdict as me, with many more now looking to use both LBA and Liverpool. Doncaster is also another suddenly finding favour. All these are at the expense of Manchester. A trickle yes, but LBA are sadly also not without fault.

Seems the issue of buses (or no buses available) from the planes to the terminal has been causing hold ups for passengers as has late delivery of baggage (I know already discussed) but these are within the remit of the airport to ensure LBA grows a reputation that we are better, smoother and a lot less hassle..Our security are a lot nicer bunch for starters..

I know there is a proposal for jam tomorrow but its better spread butter that is needed here and now.

 

[TheLocalYokel]

The major difference is they don't have Manchester just over the hill, sucking in the majority of their passengers. The only 'nearby' airport to BRS is CWL which at present is hardly a threat to their growth.

I think the MAN factor is definitely a major factor. However there is far too much leakage over the Pennines. You often have to speculate to accumulate. No venture no gain.

BRS does have other competitors apart from CWL.

BHX takes a decent share of passenger traffic, especially from those living to the north of Bristol (495,000 in CAA 2017 survey) and EXT, admittedly to a lot smaller degree, from those living further south. SOU is also handly for those living on the south-east edge of the BRS primary catchment.

By far the biggest 'predator' though is LHR, although with that airport it's mainly but certainly not exclusively long haul passengers. Over six million passengers used the London airports, mainly LHR, from/to the South West in the CAA 2017 survey. I shall be using LHR soon to go 'Down Under' again. It's really not that inconvenient to reach from the Bristol area when you are flying a long distance so BRS is likely to continue making its money mainly from short haul.

Having said this I can see from the same 2017 CAA survey that 4.839 million passengers used MAN from/to Yorkshire and the Humber (the figures are not broken down any more than that) and perhaps, unlike BRS where the LHR cascading is probably mainly on long haul routes that BRS could not replicate, many of the Yorkshire/Humber passengers using MAN are almost certainly on short haul that LBA could reasonably be expected to accommodate in many instances.

BRS has been fortunate that since privatisiation two decades ago its owners, and ownership has changed more than once in that time, have not stinted on investment with well over £300 million pumped into infrastructure. There is a lot more currently in progress with plans to invest even more in the next few years. The management is looking at 12 mppa by 2025 and 20 mppa by the 2040s. The projection in the 2006 master plan of approaching 10 mppa by 2020 is well on track.

So speculation and accumulation can be good mates in the right airport environment.

 

[Jerry]

Just reading the BRS forum and the massive infrastructural investment that continues to enhance this operation. The contrast in the investment situation between BRS and LBA in the past decade could not be more stark. BRS currently handling 8.5 million LBA 4 million. Do I need to say any more.?

What would be interesting would be the numbers LBA would achieve if Jet2 w

The major difference is they don't have Manchester just over the hill, sucking in the majority of their passengers. The only 'nearby' airport to BRS is CWL which at present is hardly a threat to their growth.

I also think a big difference is that BRS has Easyjet as their biggest airline while LBA has Jet2 which tends to be more package holiday focused.

 

[LBA8098]

£300m investment in BRS in last 20 years!! Anybody have a comparable figure for LBA??

 

[MickLufc]

Well £70 was mentioned when Bridgepoint took over but that was just before the financial crash. https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co...-unveils-new-senior-management-team-1-2178066

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Does anyone know if the airbridge refurb is progressing on schedule? I came up on the BA1346 this morning and it was absolultely freezing waiting for the buses to fill up. There were several pax who were clearly unhappy.

 

[a300boy]

Or a member of staff to stand next to it maybe !

 

[oldendays]

Work on both airbridges is ongoing. I can't speak for the escalators as I seldom venture into the terminal.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Thats good to hear. Wouldve helped if the bus had had a heater blower near the door. The route into the terminal was interesting, through the pre fab that holds the baggage reclaim conveyor, wher we waited until told the main one was in use. Not really whar BA would expect for their customers I am sure.

 

[White Heather]

If they didn't care, would they bother spending £12m on a new terminal to make the customer experience better. Despite all the issues with the terminal as it is now, the current owners are spending a LOT of money trying to keep it going. I just wish some of you guys could attend the LBA consultative meetings to listen to the issues and hear first hand what the airport's attitude is towards its customers now, and the investment they are putting into it. Things that most seem to ignore such as additional security lanes and scanners cost a small fortune. Sorry, but the sarcasm and negativity really bug me because the truth of the matter is very different. Of course, I expect that now I will be told I am too positive for my own good, but this isn't about positivity. It is about understanding what the new owners are trying to achieve and just for once, giving them a break!! Once again, the forum is becoming so negative.

 

[AirBingley]

I have to say I have had nothing but positive experiences using LBA and will only every go over the hill if pushed as living north of Bradford the 50 or so miles takes an eternity and the train is torture! Check in, security and luggage have been really efficient each time. Passport has been a bit hit and miss but the last time the queues were not helped by Jet2 not giving out landing cards to a load of non EU students!

I am so hoping that its not too late for a bit of schedule enhancement for next summer but in reality we have only another 2/3 weeks before airline schedules for S19 are more or less final. I would assume like any good business that the 5m passengers to support the investment is predicated on some meaningful discussions with the airlines and some tentative level of commitment but only time will tell. I still can't help thinking the rabbit out of the hat may be some sort of EZY presence given the ownership structure of the airport and its closeness with that brand and that may have been the one that caused TUI offence but again only time will tell.

The arrivals process is by far the grubbiest bit of the airport so carousels that are fit for purpose and more immigration facilities will be an enormous help - bring it on!

 

[Tarn Spotter]

Does anyone know if the airbridge refurb is progressing on schedule? I came up on the BA1346 this morning and it was absolultely freezing waiting for the buses to fill up. There were several pax who were clearly unhappy.

Be thankful you had a freezing bus to avoid the elements. Wheelchair passengers have to sit outside waiting queuing for the lift in all conditions, snow, rain etc. They cant jump up and down to keep warm or put on more clothes.
WE queued outside for 25 minutes after getting off the ambulift, yet it still went off to collect more to join the queue on our recent return, temperature 8 degrees and raining. Special assistance told me they have a time limit with the airlines to get folk of the planes, even when access to the terminal blocked, yet they can hold buses to the plane if passport control under pressure.
We had folk sitting in row 1 a & b recently, moaning they were cold as the door open, then after take off complained that folk queuing for the toilet were standing in front of them, yet these are often the most popular seats, why book them, as White Heather states, you can never satisfy everyone and the ability to moan has no ceiling.

 

[airforced]

I'll be honest here and say that I maybe haven't read through all the threads I maybe should have, so please forgive me if this has been mentioned/covered before.

My question relates to the new arrivals building. What is the schedule for completion of the planning application and then, once that has been signed off, what has the airport said their estimated timetable is for the building's completion/commisioning.

In other words when might the first passengers expect to pass though the facility and experience, hopefully, a real Welcome to Yorkshire.

 

[Bigman]

I just hope that whoever they get to do the job, they don't use the useless bunch of muppets that have made a total arse of our office refurb.

 

[White Heather]

I'll be honest here and say that I maybe haven't read through all the threads I maybe should have, so please forgive me if this has been mentioned/covered before.

My question relates to the new arrivals building. What is the schedule for completion of the planning application and then, once that has been signed off, what has the airport said their estimated timetable is for the building's completion/commisioning.

In other words when might the first passengers expect to pass though the facility and experience, hopefully, a real Welcome to Yorkshire.

As I recall, they were hoping for planning approval in January, with work starting in the spring and complete by the end of the year, so certainly ready for summer 2020. I think the intention was then to do the re-working of the existing building interior over the 2020/21winter period, and that hopefully will not require planning consent unless it requires the construction of any new buildings to enable it - which at this point I don't think it does.

 

[lbaspotter]

The planning application for the Airports new Petrol Filling station just of Whitehouse Lane has being updated with further documents and drawings added yesterday.

https://publicaccess.leeds.gov.uk/o...ils.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=PEGU2LJBIXT00