Originally Posted by
easyflyer83
Does Yorkshire need a 'large airport' when you have MAN? Indeed, if we didn't have the Pennines as a divide and named counties either side, would we be having this argument in the first place?
I say this as a Yorkshireman.
A simple question with a very simple answer.
It is NOT about having a 'large airport' - it is about having an airport that can operate fully and efficiently and is in the best location to be used by the most amount of people with the least amount of hassle. That is - that it makes best use of its potential catchment population dependent on where it is located and how it is connected.
Leeds and Yorkshire need this 'type' of airport [which we do not currently have] in exactly the same way as we need a hospital or a train station or even an arena. Every city and region and country is the same - they aim to maximise the benefit of what they have.
Would a large city have a hospital that would only treat you if you were born in an even year? No of course not! So why does a massive populated region like Leeds have an airport that cannot handle modern large aircraft?
The former joint owner of LBA and leader of Leeds City Council stated "we want to be ambitious like other regions". It is not about any other region or airport - it is about doing the best for this region. No true Yorkshireman or woman would advocate Yorkshire not trying to do its best. Can we do better in Leeds and Yorkshire in terms of efficient civil aviation- Yes. It is not even an argument.