Leeds-6

[LBIA]

Thomas Cook are to base an Airbus A320 next summer at Leeds/Bradford to fill in some of the voids left behind after Monarch's sad collapse earlier this week.

The based aircraft will operate 12x weekly services to 7x destinations which includes flights to Palma, Mahon, Tenerife, Larnaca, Dalaman, Antalya and Enfidha

Mondays
TCX1196/119 = Palma 06:00/12:25
TCX160/161 = Dalaman 14:25-00:25
Tuesdays
TCX192/193 = Enfidha 05:00-13:15
TCX1188/1189 = Tenerife 14:25-00:35
Wednesdays
TCX1140/1141 = Larnaca 07:00-17:55
TCX160/161 = Dalaman 19:10-04:55
Thursdays
TCX1116/1117 = Palma 06:10-12:35
TCX162/163 = Antalya 13:50-23:55
Fridays
TCX1096/1097 = Mahon 04:45-11:05
TCX196/197 = Enfidha 13:00-21:15
Saturdays
TCX164/165 = Dalaman 07:00-03:40 W-leg
Sundays
TCX168/169 = Antalya 06:00–03:30 W-leg

[N707ZS]

Wonder if they are paying Thomas Cook to bring in the aircraft like Monarch.

[LBIA]

I've no idea if LBA are giving Thomas Cook free landing & parking fees like they did with Monarch for first year of operation. Its a good incentive to do deals like that if it brings in money for the airport. LBA are not alone as other airports are known to do it.

Saw the new CEO David Laws appear on BBC Local News the other day saying they will be further announcements over next few weeks from Ryanair, Jet2 and TUi, regards replacing capacity lost after Monarch's sad collapse.

[N707ZS]

Not knocking the airport. Interesting to see the management can get a full based aircraft in a week. Wonder why my local cannot do that. Presume two rotations a day doesn't make massive employment.

[LBIA]

TUi have added 2 new routes from Leeds to Malaga and Dalaman for next summer 2018 using the based aircraft.

Mondays
TOM3172/3173 = Ibiza 09:40-19:55 (W-legs to Liverpool)
TOM3157/3158 = Corfu 21:40-04:35
Tuesdays
TOM3250/3251 = Palma 08:05-14:30
TOM3370/3371 = Dalaman 16:00-01:50
Wednesdays
TOM3316/3317 = Palma 06:00-12:25
TOM3338/3339 = Paphos 13:55-00:50
Thursdays
TOM3432/3433 = Palma 06:25-13:05
TOM3404/3405 = Bourgas 14:35-22:35
Fridays
TOM3550/3551 = Corfu 08:25-16:30
TOM3506/3507 = Mahon 17:50-23:50
Saturdays
TOM3618/3619 = Palma 07:50-14:15
TOM3646/3647 = Rhodes 15:50-01:10
Sundays
TOM3744/3745 = Malaga 06:05-13:15
TOM3748/3749 = Tenerife 15:05-01:30
TOM3710/3711 = Palma 18:40-01:05

Looks like a 2nd based aircraft is required on Sunday evening unless they do a bit of rescheduling

[easyflyer83]

The Sunday PMI will likely be a W pattern from another base.

[oldart]

It is nice to see that LBA is doing so well with international flights, however an advert flashed up on this site to premote Virgin train times from Leeds to London as being 2 hours 13 minutes. I wonder in the long term if this will gain customers from BA or other routes, especially so when the high speed link is finished.

[Plane.Silly]

It may do. From a time perspective, you could argue the time taken to fly LBA-LHR (1hr?) but then all the waiting in queue, then transferring into London makes it look pointless.

However from a connectivity perspective, people would still use the flights to connect onto onward destinations, much less hassle than lugging all your luggage onto a train, where you may/may not have space for it, onlt to then transfer further toawrds LHR/LGW.

End of the day, the demand will still be there

[tigertanaka]

Apparently LBA-LHR provides a higher % of connecting passengers than any other domestic flight on the BA network.

[Fairdealfrank]

It may do. From a time perspective, you could argue the time taken to fly LBA-LHR (1hr?) but then all the waiting in queue, then transferring into London makes it look pointless.

Not everyone taking the flight is heading up to London, those that are may prefer the train, but for those heading for the Thames valley and other points south or west of London, flying may well be much more convenient.

As for those with onward connections, it's a no-brainer!

[tigertanaka]

I also suspect there is a fair amount of LHR originating traffic on this route as anyone living west of zone 3 can probably get to central Leeds quicker on the plane than on the train. The lack of a nightstopper at LBA also means that the schedules work out better for those commuting up to Leeds for the day than those coming south.

[EastMids]

Australian investment fund AMP Capital acquires Leeds Bradford:

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/...fund-1-8811675

[Plane.Silly]

Interesting development there. In the article, it mentions they also own Newcastle Airport.
Assuming this refers to NCL-UK and not NTL-Aus, could the recent arrival of the new CEO (from NCL) have anything to do with this?

[southside bobby]

Interesting statement from the new owners...also includes investment fund jargon speak..
"clear opportunity for performance enhancement"......= sweating the assets...Good luck perhaps in order.

[EastMids]

AMP Capital holds 49% of Newcastle (UK)... Yes, a very intriguing move given the fairly recently appointment of the former NCL CEO at LBA. I'm at LBA next week and should be talking to the boss - an interesting question I think!

[SWBKCB]

Laws also worked for AMP between NCL and LBA

Newcastle Airport's part owner buys Leeds Bradford Airport - Chronicle Live

[JollyTraveller]

This is an interesting deal.

Both Newcastle airport and Leeds Bradford airport have seen huge increases in passenger numbers since these private investment companies got involved with the ownership of them.

But both airports have also seen debts building at an alarming rate over many years while both battled for passengers.

It has been reported Leeds Bradford airport (group of companies) debt are over £200 million.

It has been reported Newcastle airport (group of companies) debt are over £400 million.

I'm sure all will end better now one company has control of both airports.

[LEEDS APPROACH]

Bridgepoint have realised what everyone who is not a blinkered Yeadon spotter knows. Wrong location and cannot function. Diversions in the morning because of low cloud and diversions in the same evening because of 90 degree crosswinds! - par for the Yeadon course. Literally a third of the passengers that could and should and will be being moved from the main airport for Yorkshire [if situated and connected properly].

What we can say is that the owner entrance 'plans' strangely enough never materialise. Of course they don't.

If this site is not a housing estate between 10 and 20 years I'll eat my underpants! Just keep watching in this region.

[chaps1954]

Better make sure they are washed then

[canberra97]

He comes and goes with what seems like weeks away from the forum but sure enough whenever he returns it's the same old rhetoric reiterating his long term agenda!

Now the term 'underpants' sounds a bit old fashioned but I hope you eventually enjoy eating them washed or unwashed.