Wishlist and Predictions for 2024

[lbaspotter]

Predictions 2011 thread

Well I thought we should start this thread seen that it's nearly the end off 2010. So what are all are your predictions for LBA in 2011. Here's mine. And just you watch i'll be totally wrong.

1 = Construction of the New Terminal Extension commences at last.

2 = Jet2 add 3 or 4 new routes mid year at the same time they announce that they will add an extra base aircraft to bring the LBA based fleet back up to 12 aircraft for summer 2012 season.

3 = Ryanair add yet more new routes from LBA but also chop and change the schedule while mid to late summer they announce that a 3rd aircraft will be stationed into LBA from the start of the winter 2011/12 season

4 = Easyjet launch a second seasonal ski route to Grenoble for winter 2011/12 season. They also increase capacity on existing Geneva route. (They did this down at Birmingham)

5 = LBA looks into getting more charter flights in from the big boys Thomas Cook & Thomson Holidays and the smaller independent travel agents like Canada affair and Gambian Experience.

6 = PIA increase back to 3 times weekly on the Islamabad service and do a feasibility study into operating B777-200's into LBA for some time in the future.

 

[Aviador]

Re: Predictions 2011 thread

Over positive LBAspotter but obviously I hope you're right.

[textarea]1. Bridgepoint formally announce a delay to building the terminal extension and seek extension to planning conditions.

2. Jet2 consolidate the LBA operation but announce the introduction of the all weather Boeing 737-800's to operate the airlines longer routes.

3. Ryanair postpone adding a third aircraft until the terminal work commences. MOL threatens to pull out unless the work begins.

4. Easyjet disappear from LBA.

5. PIA stays twice weekly.

6. Nationally the economy sees a further downturn and airlines cancel their planned expansion.[/textarea]

Fictional thread but my predictions are significantly less positive that LBAspotter I'm afraid.

 

[wawkrk]

Re: Predictions 2011 thread

I, as always,continue to have bad feelings about Bridgepoint.I think every excuse in the book has been used by their ever optimistic supporters to justify never ending delays.I will only believe it when I see it happen as far as progress is concerned.
Three and a half years with no significant action is not what you would expect from a serious investor.
All I hear is they did a great job bringing in Tony Hallwood.We all agree on that but is this all we get from the 100million plus sale?
I agree with Aviador that Ryanair may very well become tired with using a boarding gate which consists of a staircase,a balcony and some chairs to seperate pax.The place is a joke.

 

[Bigman]

Re: Predictions 2011 thread

1. No work done as Bridgepoint turn out to be skint.
2. Big Jet2 expansion....at MAN, EMA and GLA but not LBA
3. More Ryanair expansion....at DSA. Why put TFS from there instead of LBA?????
4. Easyjet disappear after getting shafted by Jet2 on GVA route, which they use as a convenient excuse
5. No IT expansion. New Turkish mob go belly up so we lose even more routes
6. PIA move back to MAN so they can use 777/300's
7. I don't get so ratted on a Thursday night that I write gloomy stuff like this on a Friday morning!!

 

[jason1-11]

Re: Predictions 2011 thread

Here are my predictions for 2011

Airlines / Routes

•Easyjet to either expand using their foreign bases ie Madrid or to pull out completely
•Further decline in the IT programme from Thomson and Thomas Cook, with Jet 2 being the major beneficiary
•Major reduction in the domestic programme especially Eastern to Southampton, Aberdeen and BMI on the Scottish routes
•Jet2 to maintain their current operation, but to consider more routes to the likes of Antalya and Kos for 2012
•Flybe to add routes to Paris as a codeshare and venture into Germany
•PIA to continue with A310 equipment as the 777 will prove to be unsuitable for ops ex Leeds
•Ryanair to add the odd destination, but add to the Doncaster operation to keep Leeds" on it's toes."
•KLM to go from strength to strength
•Heathrow and USA - no go, but the rumours about the Middle East will grow stronger and stronger

Airport

•Terminal extension to commence winter 2011
•Plan for extra stands to be considered
•No improvements to runway or associated runway infrastructure
•Tony Halewood to be Sainted

Last but not least, Happy New Year to all at Forums4Airports.

 

[White Heather]

Re: Predictions 2011 thread

Well having read all that, I will simply reply by saying I hope everyone has a Happy New Year for 2011, and that it turns out to be a lot less gloomy than most of your predictions. I don't want to be over optimistic, but I would far prefer to agree with LBASpotter as at least he is trying to be optimistic. If everyone else is right it is going to be one hell of a gloomy year. I was feeling quite cheerful until I read this thread!!

 

[Aviador]

Re: Predictions 2011 thread

6. Nationally the economy sees a further downturn and airlines cancel their planned expansion.

Perhaps I should have put my number 6 in first place as this is the main cause for concern for me. I don't know how other people feel. Needless to say the economy will have a major part to play in the development of our little airport.

 

[lbia]

Re: Predictions 2011 thread

Here is my bash at predictions (Very similar to everyone elses!)

bmi - Keep current level of flights. Maybe a feeder service to FRA?

Eastern - Get their act together with Air SW and offer a propper co-ordinated business domestic operation. London City?

Flybe - Would like to see them go double daily on the EXT/ABZ route, a CDG service and maybe a seasonal Guernsey route.

Jet2 - no massive expansion, I would take a guess at Gran Canaria, Kos and Hurghada. Possibly taking some charters, i'd like to see Verona and Reus.

Ryanair - I don't think a 3rd based aircraft will come in 2011, but more routes added. Madrid, Hahn, Valencia and some Polish routes.

PIA - No change.

Charters - Thomson - No change. Thomas Cook - who knows? All we know is that the Airlines current structure is under review. I don't think they will pull out of LBA. Their 757's are to be phased out after leases expire, with more A320/321's coming, so upgrade at an A321 ideally.

---

Terminal - Who knows.

Servisair - loose the contract with Jet2 to staff the airside busses

Airside facilities - some changes in the stands, with better utilisation of key stands 6,7,8,9,10,11 & 12. A covered walkway down to stand 13 to be built.

 

[lbia]

Re: Predictions 2011 thread

To add,

I hope they do something with Short Stay car park 2, it's a terrible state and looks horrendous. Pot holes half a foot deep in places! I think they will re brand it as a medium term car park and sort it out.

 

[pug]

Re: Predictions 2011 thread

Perhaps I should have put my number 6 in first place as this is the main cause for concern for me. I don't know how other people feel. Needless to say the economy will have a major part to play in the development of our little airport.

I think the economy should be a big concern, i think things are gong to get worse before they get better unfortunately.

A slight improvement would be if APD is raised at the London airports and decreased/frozen at regional airports, as it could encourage operators to look at the regions more.

One cause for concern in the future is the possibility of Carbon Emissions trading, which would put currently profitable long served routes out of business.

On a more positive note, at least LBA is still handling a large number of pax and routes, just compare it to HUY!

Happy New Year everyone :beer:

 

[Aviador]

Re: Predictions 2011 thread

The best thing I think we can hope for during 2011 is:

1. We get an official announcement giving details of a start date for the terminal extension.

2. We at least maintain the flights and loads that we've got during the fiscal squeeze.

...and

3. Gregg's returns to LBA selling cheap butties and buns.

Happy New Year Pug!

 

[lbia]

Re: Predictions 2011 thread

Gregg's will never return to LBA, it made profits at SSP drop through the floor. High end food outlets, i.e. Starbucks and Nando's are likely to feature in the food offering. I suggested an outlet of Murgatroys, but was told the same as for Gregg's, it would simply not pay.

But guys, lets keep positive. Look at LBA's departure boards for tomorrow/friday then compare it to DSA/HUY/MME. We are now running at the all time low for Jet2 services until Feb when they pick back up yet there is still a massive long list thanks to the Ryanair's/Easy. We can hope that over summer, whilst we do not have any major increases in routes, existing routes will mature. Ryanair have established a good customer base, and Jet2 are pushing for higher loads plus the Gatwick route seeming to be doing okay.

 

[wawkrk]

Re: Predictions 2011 thread

Having 40 flights a day in Winter = 8 x DSA.I have to admit, we shouldn't grumble.
I think maybe LBA has passed the critical point in pax numbers now where there is no going back only long term growth.
More pax more operators attract more pax more operators.

 

[White Heather]

Re: Predictions 2011 thread

Looking around other similar sized airports and how many flights as day they have, we are certainly doing OK in comparison. Quite a few others have many flights less than us and even some of the bigger ones don't seem to be that far ahead of LBA at the moment. I have just checked on TV and DSA has 4 flights between lunch time and midnight - only a fraction of what LBA has. It is easy to forget just how far LBA has actually come in the past 10 years.

 

[Aviador]

Re: Predictions 2011 thread

It's interesting looking back through this thread now we're nearing the end of 2011. Who was closest with their predictions?

 

[lbaspotter]

Seen that the new year is apon us, What would you all like to see happen at Leeds/Bradford Airport over the next 12 months in 2012 guys and gals?

Here is mine:

Jet2, They will most likely add a few more new routes like they have been doing of recent out of Leeds, I do hope that the new Berlin & Budapest operate year round, Also I would like see the introduction of at least 1x Boeing 737-800NG been based at LBA along side the 9x based B737-300's and 3x based B757-200's. I would also like to see Jet2 reopening links to Tunisia and Egypt’s Sharm el sheikh next winter along with adding extra charters to Jeddah for the Hajj and New York for Christmas

Ryanair will most likely add a few new routes during the year. And most likely see some more winter routes been added to fill the 3rd based aircraft flights programme next winter season. That’s if they plan on using it in service instead off been parked up.

bmi regional, this is a hard one to predict. What will happen under IAG ownership? Hopefully Lufty will see bmi regional before hand and it will become an independent Scottish based airline. If this happens I can see the retaining the Glasgow, Edinburgh and Brussels link and maybe see them introduce a new route to fill the based aircraft operation. I did hear Copenhagen could be reinstated also we all know that they did apply for 3x daily Frankfurt service. If the Frankfurt route was started I think it would be well used.
Now if IAG have to take over the whole group this would be a different matter all together, I think flybe would take over the Edinburgh and Glasgow routes using the Loganair Saab 340’s The Brussels route might be taken over by Brussels Airlines, Which would be in all purposes be the best option. If Brussels Airlines don’t do it then the route would be lost for somebody else to operate. Maybe open to Ryanair.
Now I wonder if Lufthansa Cityline would be interested in using the new 3x slot pairs into Frankfurt with a CRJ or something similar size aircraft. It would be a great for interlining connections using both Lufty and Star Alliance and surely for a point to point service.

Easyjet, Hopefully will add a couple off routes to with Grenoble been one to operate along side the Geneva winter service which might also be increased to daily operation and a few extra weekend flights added.

Eastern Airways, Hopefully they will look into a summer service to Newquay and continue to operate both the Bristol and Aberdeen routes 3x daily with the Dash 8's.

KLM, Don’t see anything happening regarding aircraft type, I just hope they will keep the 4x daily rotation for next winter seen that Jet2 have dropped some services to Amsterdam.

Flybe, hopefully we can keep hold off what we have got with the 3x daily Southampton and Belfast routes along with the 5x weekly Aberdeen and Exeter routes. Would be nice if they could do a deal to restart the Gatwick route, But don’t think it will happen. If bmi regional don’t get taken over and IAG have to acquire I can see flybe running the Edinburgh and Glasgow routes using Loganair’s Saabs for which they already own slots at both Scottish airports.

Manx2, I can’t see ought changing for now. I just hope we can retain the existing daily Isle of Man route.

PIA, I do hope that they can finally upgrade the service from the Airbus A310 to the much larger and quieter B777-200LR or ER’s sometime this year once they start to receive there 5 leased 777’s this summer. If we retain the A310’s surely they have got to look into reinstating the 3rd weekly service.

Thomas Cook, Hopefully they will survive the down turn and restructure for the future; we have been told that the Airbus A320 is to be upgraded to a B757 next summer. Hopefully this happens. But I wouldn’t be too disappointed if it didn’t to be honest, I would rather they continue with what they have got and now and operate rather than see them collapse. I do hope that they open new route as both Santorin and Keflonia are showing on there website. I would also like them to maybe operate the Tunisia route over the summer but hopefully that will happen sooner rather than later

Thomson Airways, I can’t see them changing too much to be honest. If anything they will look at getting another airline to operate there summer Corfu service. Yes it looks like the Palma service has been down graded from a B767-300 to an Air Europa B737-800. But at least we have retained the route instead of them dropping it completely. As for the winter service it looks like it will again be operated by a Tenerife based Thomson B737-800 next winter as same as this year.

Balkan Holidays, Hopefully the passenger figures will pick up this summer on the Bourgas route seen that they have rescheduled the flight to a Friday evening and decided to go direct instead of operating via Humberside this summer.

The Airport, Well I hope the new Terminal development is completed on time and on budget, Along with the new walkway been installed. I hope that they look in to doing something with the drop off area as it looks stupid as it is currently. Also I would hope that the management team are talking to new airlines about opening new routes to places like Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Oslo, Reus, Madrid, Toronto and maybe Orlando along with replacement services to Innsbruck and London which were both lost this year.

Now it's up to you...

 

[Jordan-34092]

Well here is what i would like to see happen in 2012.

EasyJet Like LBA Spotter has stated, i would also like to see them introduce a few more new routes Grenoble being one of which. Another which i would like to see and with the airport having this one as a main one to gain is Madrid, operated all year round by a A319. Although that would be unlikely to happen.

London-Gatwick Now what i am about to say next is, what some would say is asking for a miracle. If Flybe didn't decide to re-reinstate the LBA to LGW, i would like to see British Airways operate the route, perhaps just twice a day using the 737-400, it would allow for not only us LBA to gain it's London route back to also gain onward connections with BA through there LGW base. But like i stated people would say this would be a miracle.

Pakistan International Airlines Would like to see same as LBA spotter, with the LBA-ISB Route upgraded to a 777, If not then it to be upped to 3x weekly. I would also like to see a new route from these to the other side of Pakistan, Karachi, perhaps just using the A310, and again for them to operate it twice a week.

Shannon It'd be good to see an airline set up a route to Shannon from the airport, perhaps only daily, or maybe 2-3 times a day depending on the size of the aircraft. If the route was to operate i would put a bet on an airline such as Aer Arann or Aer Lingus Regional.

Lastly, but mostly, i would like to see new airlines that have never been to LBA starting operating into the airport, even if it's operating routes LBA has already got, but are in high demand.

 

[tleeds]

Jet2
I would like to see some of their routes, re-timed if possible. I know for a fact that Jet2 could easily do 3 sectors a day, providing the slot allocations are there. For example easyJet LPL-AGP 0600 departure, Jet2 LBA-AGP 0800 departure. These gaps in the morning are restricting the possible increase in frequencies as well as preventing new routes to be explored because the fleet size is also restricted. As Lbaspotter has said I also do hope that the Berlin and Budapest routes are made to operate on a year round basis. Again I would also like to see the reinstatement of Tunisia's Monastir/Enfidha and Egypt’s popular Sharm El Sheikh flight next winter, which would also carry on into next summer. If this did happen, the possibility of Hurghada being reinstated over the hill is also likely.

Ryanair
I do hope predictions are correct in more new routes being added through the year, as their current timetable is looking pretty full already, even with the 3rd aircraft being based. I would also like to see Ryanair expanding upon their Eastern-Europe programme, which has already started, with impressive loads I have heard. In addition, I think Ryanair are the most likely airline to start opening up City destinations such as; Madrid, Paris etc.

Bmi Regional
As said previously, I don't know what will come of this. I can't see much expansion in terms of Bmi Regional aircraft.. It's probably most likely that Bmi Regional, will be dispanded and as a result the possible loss of routes. I do hope that predictions are correct in that airlines such as; Brussels Airlines, FlyBe/Loganair and Eastern make up for the loss of these routes.

EasyJet
I think easyJet are the under-dog in the "LBA-Race". They are the last Lo-Co to enter LBA and as a result, it doesn't leave them with much option, but to duplicate routes we are already seeing at LBA. Ryanair ceased the chance early and as a result are expanding at a successful rate. EasyJet will have to settle for what they have got, in terms of little niche routes. I think it is more likely though, that 'Current Non-LBA Airlines' start routes, that easyJet would want.

Eastern Airways
As said under Bmi Regional, I hope they continue to operate the modest, but most appreciated network out of LBA and expand upon the inevitable closure of Bmi Regional.

PIA
Who Knows...? After speculation that the B777 flight will operate via Athens, I think the best we can do is leave it to LBA and PIA to judge what is best because, after all, PIA know best.... 😉

Thomas Cook
After Lbaspotter spotted (sorry it's cheesy) that Thomas Cook had entered Santorini and Kefalonia into the booking system, I am hoping that these routes come to fruition. It would be excellent for Thomas Cook to finally have routes 'to themselves', which I think is a smart option, one I certainly didn't expect to happen..! The upgrade to the B757 should make things a lot more interesting. I don't know what Thomas Cook's B757's are like in terms of; are they as reliable as Jet2's...? It also brings into question; Can TCX fill a B757? There are an extra 55 seats to fill, and I know that the A320 didn't operate on full loads all the time last summer..! I think that if they think it is the best option, given recent financial circumstances, then they should give it a go. I just hope they remain at LBA and remain as a Holiday Charter Airline!
The speculation around a Monarch aircraft seems to have died down, and I think the best option for them, if their isn't a B757 available, is to stick with their A320. A Monarch B757 on behalf of TCX is too complicated and I don't think the best option, logistically or financially for TCX. I do like their new advert though!

Thomson Airways
Again, as has already been said, I can't see much from them. Recent reduction in services at DSA, leaves much to be desired seeing a lot from them at either DSA and LBA now. I can only think that the B767 is being used on more profitable and further afield routes, for it to be pulled at LBA. I don't recall any major problems with it operating out of LBA and I do know on some occasions it went out in nearly 100% occupancy! It should be good to see Air Europa back at LBA though, looking at it from an upside! The Corfu service I predict will remain on a Thomson B757. It's operated well for the past two consecutive years, and so I don't see why a change is needed, unless fleet logistics is causing a problem. I also am liking their new advert, especially the "First Choice-All Inclusive" advert. I dread to think how much it would have cost them to use "Flo-Rida's Good Feeling" number one song in the UK..!!

The Airport
I also hope that the Airport Refurb and Walkway are finally constructed on time, and within budget. The standards are high to satisfy some people, and even members on this forum, but I'm sure the wait will be worth it. This should also lead to new airlines moving to LBA....?! I think it might be a long shot but possible airlines include; Vueling, Norwegian Air etc.

 

[markietg]

THEY'RE the only airline to fly THERE with THEIR A320's. That's what I want to see in 2012! 😉

 

[Bigman]

Here we go then:

FlyBe - pull Aberdeen and Exeter due to rubbish loads
BMI - pull GLA and EDI due to rubbish loads. BRU also goes as airline is bought out and totally revamped
PIA - up sticks back to MAN
KLM - upgrade to ERJ's at last as Jet2 have vastly reduced their AMS programme
Ryanair - more quality routes such as Tallinn, Cork and Charleroi
Jet2 - still no 737/800's due to CAA restrictions (which don't affect FR as they are under Irish CAA!!)
10 more geese get shot despite a major campaign by NIMBYs
Another major slagging campaign as parking goes up another 1p.