Airport Consultative Committee [Questions & Responses]

[LBAYORKIE]

David Laws and his aviation development director, Chris Sanders, were hyped as being the best connected and experienced people we could ever expect to see at LBA and if they couldnt succeed in bringing in new services then no-one could. Cant blame forum members for being so disappointed when they both disappeared overnight and wanting to know why- after all where does this leave us given they were the dream team never to be bettered?

By the way I communicated with Chris several times and even had a meeting with him shortly before he went. He never mentioned retirement to me, but then again why would he?

 

[Tarn Spotter]

What a dreadful statement to make, and based on what evidence?! Leaders, entrepreneurs, good managers aren’t born but they gain experience and understanding and there’s no better way of achieving that than progressing through an organisation or profession perhaps with some useful academic/educational input along the way. The commissioner of the metropolitan police started as a police constable in London, many managing directors started on the shop floor but for a fireman to become a CEO of an airport is criticised. That says more about the critic than the poor guy being criticised who isn’t here to defend himself.
I’m impressed that there are a number of unsolicited endorsement of this managers achievements and style. It’s a shame he couldn’t stay longer.

I am sorry you view as dreadful. I think your reply misreads what I stated.
I have written in the past to David Laws and spoken to him on airport issues and I am sure he is a first class airport chief, that is not the point, Leeds has many problems and you need a huge scope of experience to try to resolve, the record of U.K> airport bosses has in the main been poor, so drawing from this pool, with a few exceptions is limited.
Whilst I accept White Heathers comments, when deciding who will take a senior post as directors we all write down the name of the candidate who we feels best matches our needs and this is done by having a resume of the person.
It will then go out to head hunters who will see who is available and who they feel will best fill the role, they will advise the board, I am not sure how a private Equity firm operates.
LBA has always had issues, at the moment John Lewis is seeking answers to its problems, the board and the headhunters have decided that the chief of Ofcom is the right person to run a retail company, although the Lady has no knowledge of this industry.

 

[Len Fish]

Any boss of LBA who can steer the airport through these tough times for the aviation industry both at home and abroad enabling it come out of the other side to take advantage of better times which will inevitably come has my vote. There’s a time for expansion and a time for consolidation, seems we’re in the latter cycle at present, although the new terminal is needed now, not only to cope with present day traffic but hopefully increased flights and footfall in better times to come.

 

[White Heather]

Our airport is becoming a joke...others are expanding but at LBA.....

Leeds Bradford Airport urged to 'massively reduce' passenger numbers

Hundreds have been campaigning against plans to expand the airport and calling on Leeds City Council to scrap its plans to build a £100 million access road

www.leeds-live.co.uk

This should not be in this thread as it is nothing at all to do with the Airport Consultative Committee. And why is the airport a joke because of this? Surely it is the people who are demanding it that are the joke, as they cannot see that unless all airports massively cut back, all that will happen is that people (like you) will travel to other airports (like Manchester) and simply add more emissions. Anyway, this is old news - it happened 2 weeks ago and the council listened and then showed them out.

 

[LBA4EVER]

Ok we are well into October now and no sign of any work on the new terminal, It makes so much commercial sense to start this project. any updates on whats going on?

 

[LBA4EVER]

Wasn't it discussed by White Heather that December would be when they would have worked out the charges to the lay out of the new arrivals terminal. Think it was also mentioned that the New Year would be when work would start once they have worked out the lay out.

ok i will take your word on that, hopefully dec it is then.

 

[Finger66]

An A330 of Air Oinker

 

[White Heather]

Today was the December meeting of the Airport Consultative Committee, so for what it is worth, here is my somewhat brief summary. The meeting included a very informative presentation by the CEO, Hywell Rees, who having been at LBA 6 months has now had time to assess the task and who is now getting down to the job. He:-

1. Made the point that LBA was under-loved and had been subjected to significant under investment by previous owners. Don't we know it?
2. Advised us that he has authorised significant investment (in the £ Millions) over this winter to resolve some of the main problems with airport infrastructure - notably a 7 figure sum to replace the Jet2 check in (Hall B) baggage belt equipment which broke down frequently last summer. Also additional security scanning equipment with additional lanes. Also additional works (where feasible) within the terminal area and outside, to enhance not only the customer experience but also rectify issues experienced by air crew. Also enhanced snow clearing capability and snow clearing plan and action to resolve an issue with icing up of the South Side apron outside the Multiflight hangars, which (on some days) has caused Jet2 difficulties in getting aircraft out of or into the hangars. These works will commence in January, and I am not sure if it is relevant or not but there is a crane on the apron today which appears to have reduced parking capacity, as a Ryanair arrival this afternoon ended up parked on the Eastern Apron among the many inactive Jet2 aircraft
3. Stated that at the present time, securing new routes or airlines was improbable due to the inability of the terminal infrastructure to cope with any more passengers at peak times, thereby denying airlines what they demand, and in addition, due to the fact that LBA is unique among UK Regional Airports in having night time quota hours of 2300 to 0700 (rather than 0600 as at other airports). LBA now has no further capacity to allow additional flights between these hours - and for those who don't know, LBA has a limit to how many aircraft movements are allowed each year between 2300 and 0700. A limit that has now been reached. This will prevent airlines from dispatching additional aircraft out of LBA before 0700 and may restrict the efficient use of their aircraft. Clearly, the only likelihood is for some additional aircraft operating outside peak hours and which are not based at LBA, until such time as the LBA Infrastructure is improved.
4. Stated also that he intended to bring about a 'cultural revolution' at LBA in terms of investment and development, indicating that this is the commencement of a 'new era'.
5. Indicated that he has, in anticipation of what is to come, employed the services of various specialist staff including Head of Operations, Head of Customer Services and recently a Head of Air Traffic Control (which this time is a full time permanent post).
6. Visited Leeds City Council's Climate Emergency Advisory Group recently to make a presentation but was unable to do so in the end due to the time taken by the meeting to deal with other issues. He will be invited back again to do his presentation but he confirmed that LBA has, in the past 5 years, reduced its CO2 emissions by 45% and will continue to drive down these emissions. He also stated that although in the past 10 years, LBA passenger figures have doubled, the number of commercial aircraft movements (and therefore CO2 emissions) have actually reduced. It is intended to work towards a plastic free experience within the terminal through co-operation with airport suppliers/partners. A booklet is being produced by LBA setting out what has been done and what will be done by LBA to reduce its CO2 emissions and to work towards a Carbon Neutral position. This will also be published on the airport website. Currently LBA emits 3500 tonnes of CO2 per annum and it was stated that although aviation is under fire at present by climate experts and anyone else who wishes to see flying reduced (including our local NIMBYs - my words not his!!) it is only responsible for 2% of CO2 emissions worldwide, far less than Shipping, the Clothing Industry and others. As aircraft become more advanced, their CO2 emissions will reduce.
7. Explained that the KLM route to Amsterdam continues to have average load factors exceeding 90%, hence the decision to upgrade one of the three daily flights to a KLM Mainline Boeing 737 700. Also that Aer Lingus/Stobart's additional flights to Dublin are booking very well indeed, predominantly with interlining passengers heading to the USA or Canada, and that Eastern/Flybe/Virgin Connects additional flights to and from Southampton are also doing well. However, the loss of the based TUi aircraft has resulted in a loss of 77% of all Inclusive Tour flying from LBA, offset partially by increased capacity offered by Jet2.

At the last meeting in September we were advised that at today's meeting, it was hoped that we might be given a presentation on the terminal development following the review of the project requested by Hywel Rees when he was appointed. This presentation was not given. However, it was clear from his presentation that, contrary to the doom and gloom folks predictions, the terminal project is not dead and will go ahead. What is not clear was in what form, as it is equally clear that LBA management have been doing a lot of work looking at projected demands in the future, discussing with potential airlines to assess their demands and considering the options available. Whilst Mr Rees would not be drawn into any discussions today about the terminal, he advised that there will be a special meeting of the Consultative Committee in January, specifically to present to us what the review outcome is, what is planned, and timescales. It remains very clear that Mr Rees sees the terminal as the key to future growth at LBA and vital to the airport, pointing out that the terminal as it is now is not fit for purpose, having been constructed in 1965 with in-built problems/restrictions.

Having met Hywel Rees twice now, it is very clear that we have a passionate, well informed and determined CEO who has a clear picture now of the failures of LBA infrastructure and the actions needed to bring the airport into this century. I feel very encouraged by what he has had to say, but we are all going to have to wait to find out what he has in mind for another month.

 

[Finger66]

Thanks as ever WH. Probably one of the most interesting reads and answers a few questions around current stagnation. But let's be positive for the future

 

[louis_walton]

Thanks Heather your contribution as always is highly valued. It still remains the same that until we get the extension go ahead not much will happen. However a terminal that pleases potential airlines is 100% what we need at this current point. However I hope they are still in constant talks with Jet2 as multiple routes have been announced this year that LBA has missed and as our “house airline” it’s a shame we have missed them.

 

[LBA8098]

Thanks very much WH. All I can say is January cannot come soon enough. This massive underinvestment has to stop..... NOW!

 

[blotbuc1]

Thanks WH. My wish for the New Year in the ‘new era’ of investment is that the new arrivals terminal proceeds and is the first phase of a completely new terminal alongside the apron in an easterly direction. As part of the development any proposals to refurbish/reconfigure the ‘not fit for purpose’ existing terminal are scrapped and its site used for apron improvements or other airside uses. New Year wishes sometimes come true!

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Great report. Doesn't hint at anything massive though.

 

[Hendi]

Top notch informative post as ever WH. Look forward to the possible update with regards to terminal developments in January.

 

[Statto]

Whilst Mr Rees would not be drawn into any discussions today about the terminal, he advised that there will be a special meeting of the Consultative Committee in January, specifically to present to us what the review outcome is, what is planned, and timescales

Thank you for the update Heather, a very interesting read. I thought the quote above was intriguing for a few reasons.

- if they are preparing to convene a special meeting in January, they obviously believe they have something worth sharing. Gathering everyone together to just confirm they are progressing with the terminal extension as we last saw it would seem a pretty pointless exercise don’t you think ?
- if its ready to be shared in a public forum in January, then 99% of the work will already be done. Nothing major is going to change in a few weeks and nothing happens over Christmas anyway, so whatever he is going to share is already ready. So interesting then that he wouldn’t be drawn on any of it. Sounds like he wants to control the release of this in a very managed way. Again, completely unnecessary if this is to confirm they are progressing with the terminal extension as was.

Pure guesswork on my part then, but the most likely explanation that fits the facts is that they are planning a pretty major overhaul of the terminal and he is waiting for the election and Christmas to be out of the way so he can release the news at a better time in the news cycle (‘and maybe to see who actually ends up in power). I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the original plan was to go in November and then the election came along and buggered up the PR plans. The whole ‘massive news’ saga on this forum started in late October, exactly the time as the election was called. if there are big plans afoot, many people in the airport will be aware of them and I’m sure and if a press release was planned in November, someone might have chosen to tip a few people off to keep an eye on the press. One of those people might have then chosen to pass that news into this forum.

 

[Heathrowflyer]

Fabulous report WH...you are a star. I'm hopeful about some really positive change.

I know this is semantics but I thought the previous terminal development was being sited as a 'major' development under the leadership of David Laws. I think we are in danger of being caught up in an Emperor wears new clothes scenario if we aren't careful.
Also, what difference would the election have on the terminal development? no specific things have been mentioned in any of the manifestos that would impact on a development.
The only impact politically might be Brexit but whichever party gets in; post election, this looks set to rumble on for years.
I'm also struggling to understand why the development of the airport is focussed on flying times and quotas at night time..the airport has massive gaps throughout the day where the terminal is empty when it could utilise this much needed capacity outside of the 'golden hour' of early flights. The real elephant in the room is attracting airlines from MAN to LBA. Airlines like Emirates won't have a dual operation within 50 miles of a major base. And, even with the proposed tram/train link off shoot to LBA, for people in York and North Yorks it's still easier to hop on one train and arrive on the door at MAN.
It's also about a wider transport infrastructure. Four times in the last month I've been stuck in traffic jams with nearly two hour delays simply due to incidents at the Armley Gyratory which has literally brought the whole of the outer ring road and aretary roads to a standstill. Until there is a wider transport infrastructure we are never going to compete with MAN whose public transport offering is pretty good.

 

[a300boy]

Some very good deductions made about news we may receive soon.
Let’s see what happens in January.
Add my thanks to WH for her report.

 

[Len Fish]

Until there is a wider transport infrastructure we are never going to compete with MAN whose public transport offering is pretty good.

Unless you’re unfortunate enough to be travelling from West Yorkshire to MAN on the totally unpredictable, inadequate and accident ridden M62.

 

[AirBingley]

Great update - its refreshing to see LBA management actually acknowledging the shortfalls that have been mentioned here over the years. I still say give me LBA any day compared with he trip over the Pennines - I used the train 2 weeks ago to get an LX flight to ZRH and there were multiple cancellations (although I did think LX economy service was very good). There were a lot of stressed people at Leeds station. MAN was actually quite quiet so it wasn't a bad experience but it was much better coming back to LBA via LHR - T5 being a dream mid afternoon.

 

[White Heather]

Great report. Doesn't hint at anything massive though.

Doesn't it? Didn't you see the bold letters starting off each bullet point? And what they spell? Only me teasing of course as I know not what they are intending - but my post does hint at something massive if only because I spelt the word out in my report