LEEDS 5

[HOODED]

Newscaster.

Did PIA not pull the Glasgow after Emirates started nicking their pax and routing them through Dubai? If so the PIA are in big trouble as Emirates continue to expand at a huge rate. LBA should be ok though as Emirates are highly unlikley to look at an LBA route due NCL/MAN. If anything MANs PIA could be in more danger given Emirates continued growth there.

[newscaster]

This woman influenced PK to stay on Lord Mayor helps Leeds-Bradford International Airport save flights to Pakistan (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus) I felt someone must have cajoled them into it.

If Leeds is good for PK why are they only doing it twice weekly and why did they decide to pull out, what is the yeild for PK there? loads my be high but if the yeilds dont correspond or go higher no use keeping the route.

as PK chairman said we cannot afford to offer door to door bus service at a loss to company, when asked about Glasgow drop in national assembly.

[CabinCrewe]

Similarly "saved" in Glasgow only to disappear within a year, Mohammed Sarwar or not. Watch it go within 12 months.

[Runway 32/14]

I dont see how an asian babe could flutter her eyes at PK and they decide to stay on at LBA. There must be more to it than that....
Also why do you people from Manchester/Liverpool always knock our small regional airport, i think its great that PK have decided to stay, if they do leave in a years time then so be it, but at least our small airport is trying to retain its services, credit where credit is due, regardless of how short or long this service may last!!!

[newscaster]

Dont act naieve Runway, people with clout do play a role in convincing, she's no babe and must have put in a reasonable educated argument to have them continue, along with something like "we will help you make it successful and if it dosent work in a years time then feel free to discontinue service" as simple as that, airport authority must've played role too, highly reputed carriers too have fallen for these antics.

[Runway 32/14]

Newscaster.........The word you are looking for was naive!!! and i am far from that, you make everything appear to be black and white...and it is never that simple!!!

[CabinCrewe]

Of the recent posters, who here is from Manchester or Liverpool ? I am certainly not.

[Runway 32/14]

Of the recent posters, who here is from Manchester or Liverpool ? I am certainly not.

I have no idea!!! dont know why i said that, probably because i am biased...lol

[Runway 32/14]

Jet2

I was just wondering if Jet2 were still in the market for a couple of B767's, i know they were looking at a couple a year or two ago, but they didnt come to fruition.....

[HOODED]

I believe they're still in the market but only for the right aircraft a the right price. Meeson is no fool, Chanel Express have operated old ac for years and will only buy aircraft that have years of service left without major engineering effort required to keep them airbourne. This is why they have some ex Lufthansa AC in the fleet which are known known to be well maintained. I suspect 767s will arrive once new 787s start being delivered to prestige operators.

[Mr Mac]

You used to get 1/3rd more for ex - Lufthansa jets in the 1980,s. Do not know if this is still the case.

[LBIA]

Here's a link from LBA's Facebook page yesterday regarding an interview with LBA's Tony Hallwood at the routes conference last month. There are some very interesting points and plans that he makes about in it...

Interview with Tony Hallwood, Leeds Bradford Airport - Routes Europe 2011 :: Routesonline

[freightdoggy dog]

And you used to be able to buy one 737 classic and get 2 free...I said you buy one you get two free...PM is obviously waiting for another Ansett to go bust. Its the car dealer in him, a quick blow over, set of remoulds and everyone arrives happy. It's a modus operandi that has worked well and continues to do so...the only cloud over Yeadon Tarn, is oil prices and the those pesky Irish travellers, nicking his trade on his doorstep. Just don't be surprised if they also kick the tyres on some old Tupolevs'....it's been looked at before !!!! Even MOL is considering it.

[Jamie2k9]

Ryanair Launches Two New Leeds Bradford Winter Routes To/From?

Riga and Kaunas

[TSR2]

I said you buy one you get two free

Very funny

[l747]

LBIA is now weighted towards being a low cost airport, which clearly satisfies a market sector, however it doesn't need a Commercial Director to attract passengers to potential cheap flights and vice versa. Through observation, there have been many promises of route development over the years, and without malice or direct criticism, as it is evident Mr Hallwood would like to bring much, much more to LBIA, the customers and passengers of LBIA are yet to see what the Commercial Director can deliver, as it has been nearly 3 years since Bridge point appointed a new team to the business.

[682ft AMSL]

A bit harsh. PIA, Easyjet and a Ryanair base, all helping to get passenger numbers up to where they were before the recession started would probably count as success in most people's eyes. I'm sure there may have been more had the economic conditions of 2004 - 2006 remained unchanged, but they didn't. Therefore you have to judge performance against the rest of the market and not so much against things that may have been reasonably expected a few years ago.
Also don't underestimate the stuff the airport have done behind the scenes in terms of working with the business community, local tourism agencies etc which has moved on considerably under the new management team - particularly around educating what is available and laying out where LBA can be an alternative to MAN.
I think they'd be the first to accept there is a lot more to do, but in the context of the economic woes of the last few years, there is equally a sense that some progress has been made

[l747]

Thankyou for posting a reponse and I can understand and respect your perspective, however Ryanair and Easyjet are quick and easy wins and are clearly low cost. Yes the economy has played a part in holding back some route development, however,there is still a high proportion of Yorkshire demographic flying from Manchester, Doncaster and Humberside when they could fly from LBIA. It is alledged but not proven, the current management team are "steroiding" the airport with passenger headcount, reducing resources to a minimum, and presenting a very mediocre passenger experience. LBIA management team should not be overtly proud of their achievements so far, but focus more on why they are not attracting other airlines and routes.

[TSR2]

when is this airport going to grow up and sort out proper walkways and air bridges

Perhaps the answer is.... when the airlines are willing to pay a fair rate for using the airport and a willingness to use air bridges.

[l747]

You are both very right in your observations. Again, it is alledged that headcount has been dramatically reduced in the business as a whole and this will mean that less people will have to do much more, which in turn, affects morale and performance and ultimatly hits the fee paying passenger.

Returning to the initial point of inviting low cost carriers to the business, this "easy win" of bringing in business is placing a commercial bias on taking money away from operational revenue - eg landing fees etc.

The direct effect of this low-brow strategy places pressure on attaining money solely through the need of passengers to spend in the airport shops and services and nowhere else, now this may work in an larger airport such as Manchester where the retail message is subtle but effective, however a smaller, cramped and inferior infrastructure such as LBIA does not give a paying passenger the opportunity to enjoy the beginning of their journey.

I suppose the term "fattening the pig for market" would be a good analogy.