I would say that growth is as a result of the ongoing success of the two largest based airlines, Jet2 and Ryanair and has little to nothing to do with LBA. If anything, LBA is stifling that growth. Loss of routes, loss of airlines, numerous missed opportunities to rival airports, little to no public profile etc. In other words, loss of impetus. I take into account the terminal work which, imho, is too little too late. I have been calling for a change in management for some time. What with the other appointments that have taken place recently, it does feel as though things are changing and I'm looking forward to seeing a fresh approach that will hopefully give the airport a spring in its step.

Whoshotjimmi if you think that LBA management just sit back and do nothing, leaving the growth to Jet2 and Ryanair you are very much mistaken. I would have assumed you have more insight into how an airport operates than that. LBA management are very involved in the identification of routes that are either un-served or have insufficient seat capacity, and work with existing airline partners or seek new ones to rectify matters. The fact that airlines are reluctant to operate some routes due to the close proximity of MAN does not mean that efforts are not being made or that LBA management are not part of the process of expansion. I would think Tony Hallwood would love the chance to explain to you what he does as you clearly think it is nothing at all!
 
In my defence, I didn't suggest they didn't do anything. Nor did I suggest I knew anything about the running of an airport. I suggested that they had lost the impetus. Is it good that LBA shows consistent growth year on year? Absolutely. Has it developed to its full potential? Absolutely not. The last 10 years of management has overseen some outstanding events in LBA history but there is no doubt in my mind that it has now become staid and unimaginative and is actually hindering progress rather than helping it.

Like Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. Still doing an ok job on the face of it and relatively satisfied with that. I don't know how to run a football club either but, clearly, it is not acceptable. Just as the FA Cup win yesterday papers over the cracks of what has actually been a poor season, a 20% growth figure disguises what has been a pretty dismal year in terms of route development and building relationships with airlines. A new management team will be able to look at it with a fresh set of eyes and perhaps do something different to unlock the full potential.

Just as I can't knock the achievement of winning the FA Cup, I can't knock the achievement of 20% growth in passenger numbers.

But it's not enough, is it?
 
The thing that White Heather and whoshotjimmi are "discussing" isn't as black and white as they would have you believe when reading their posts.

There is no doubt that 20% growth is to be applauded in not exactly encouraging times but could the growth have been even better? I don't have an answer or opinion on that but what I am pretty sure about is that the growth we have had isn't down to just LBA management doing a sterling job. When being critical of LBA because of a lack of growth it must be remembered that growth is a two way street. How ever hard LBA management work in achieving growth they rely in no small measure to the airlines actually wanting to either come to Leeds in the first place or, as far as those that are already here, their willingness and ability to expand their offerings.

Attracting new airlines has and will continue to be a problem for LBA because of what many would describe as inadequate infrastructure (understatement!!) and the perennial weather problems particularly in the winter season. I don't see how these obstacles can be addressed without huge investment which we all know isn't going to happen even if it were feasible at reasonable cost. So we are reliant on existing carriers expanding their offerings. Well both Jet2 and Ryanair have done just that so how much more might we expect them to commit to? In the current Brexit climate I would suggest not much if at all.

So I think we ought to be thankful for what we have achieved and give the LBA management a break. After all they are working with a sows ear of an airport so we can't expect them to make it into a silk purse however hard they try.
 
Congratulations to Huddersfield Town on promotion to the Premier League.

We should see an increase in football charters next season when they play the likes of Bournemouth, Southampton, Brighton, ,West Ham, Tottenham and Arsenal etc unless they go to Manchester of course.
 
Rather unfair that comment Aviador. The reason it is carnage is because LBA in currently investing a considerable amount on terminal works which will, when finished, significantly improve the customer experience. Many, including on here, were very quick to express the view that the works to extend the terminal should NOT be delayed until next winter, and LBA obviously agreed, starting the work immediately, with pretty much 24/7 work going on, (at additional cost), to ensure that the terminal is better by the summer peak. So whilst it may well be carnage, and unacceptable now during the peak periods due to the works being carried out, LBA are not ignoring the problem - they are currently fixing it. And, I can assure you that whilst LBA do not see fit to engage in publicly commenting in papers etc., they are very much aware of customer comments, whether positive or negative.

As for the comments of the 'respected journalist' - well I can think of one instantly who writes on a local paper who has made clear their dislike for LBA, and its management and who misses no opportunity to put LBA down whilst extolling the supposed virtues of DSA. Personally I take have no regard for anything any journalist might have to say.

I take your point Heather but we've had the best part of a decade of inaction despite the desperate and obvious need to improve and expand facilities to simply cope let alone expand. Obviously I welcome the current expansion but it is a far cry from the original plans which appeared to be little more than a PR exercise.
 
I think it is bit harsh to say a decade of inaction -- there has been a notable improvement all round, better facilities, more destinations, more airlines (BA + Monarch etc), an increase in passenger numbers with 4 million pa not far off. If I were investing in the airport I would be wanting to see greater action on the part of Leeds City Council in getting faster progress on the link road and Parkway station. Who has had the inaction - LBA or Leeds City over the last decade? At least things are moving in the right direction and I am confident that a bright future is ahead for LBA and all those who choose to use their local airport.
 
....So I think we ought to be thankful for what we have achieved and give the LBA management a break. After all they are working with a sows ear of an airport so we can't expect them to make it into a silk purse however hard they try.

You make a succinct and obviously popular point airforced. Sadly, this is what it has become - too many people being satisfied with things as they are. Forget that airport management has consistently lied to us about future development plans. Forget that they have consistently lost out to their rivals when deals have been in the offing. Forget that the public image of the airport is rock bottom.

No. We should be grateful for what we've got. Ok. I'll show you how grateful I am.

I am enormously grateful that I can get on Ryanair.com and book a flight to many different places at the drop of a hat. If you click the box below, you will see how often I have done that.

I am enormously grateful that a British Airways link was re-established and, once again, if you click on the box below, you will see how much I have supported it.

I am enormously grateful that there have been numerous routes that I have wished to use from LBA and, would you believe, if you click the box below, you'll see how much I have supported it - of which some routes no longer or are soon to no longer exist. Heck, I was even booked on an SAS flight to Copenhagen until they cancelled the route. And that's before I talk about the routes I used before I started keeping a record of what I was doing.

If you dig deeper, the box will also tell you how little I have used Jet2 - despite being the largest operator at LBA - simply because I'm not looking for package holidays. Doesn't mean I don't appreciate that they are there for those looking for what they offer. Indeed, one of the few occasions I have used them was because I was on a package holiday.

If you dig even deeper than that, the box will also tell you about the times when I have had to use other airports because LBA did not provide what I was looking for. Again, I'm not going to get upset because I can't fly LBA to Hong Kong - believe it or not, I am a realist.

I am truly grateful for all of these things and grateful to the management team for doing their bit for my travels over the last few years.

But if you think I am going to put up my feet, be satisfied with things as they are now and forget about wanting LBA to be the best it can be, well....

....forget about it.
 
The definition of inaction was the period of ownership by the local authorities during the entire 1970s, early 80s (until the runway extension) and then again post extension in the remainder of the 80s, when local councillors actively campaigned against the airport's development and the restoration of 24 hour operations. That period saw virtually no growth at all to speak of. Only the 24 hour ops enabled growth at LBA - and was rewarded with the likes of Jet2 and what we have now. Growth since then has been steady and sustainable. I fully understand the impatience and desire for faster growth, and would love that myself, but in all truth it is not realistic with the world of aviation being so volatile and impacted so much by other events such as 9/11, the Icelandic volcano and the economy. All things considered, Bridgepoint have done better than any before them, with few years going by without some form of investment, or some new airline partner being found.
 
I was referring to a decade of inaction to a point where everyone seems satisfied with a mezzanine in-fil. I recognise the commercial restraints but I still believe LBA should be significantly further down the development path than it is. It's just my opinion. #justsaying #LBAdevelopment
 
Sad to hear that if it's true but I guess the new man at the top will want to bring in his own team.
 
To me its looking more like Bridgepoint Capital PLC maybe having a clearout of LBA's Top management team. Especilly now if it's true Tony Hallwood has gone along with the Ex CEO John Parkin retiring.

I wonder why Bridgepoint Capital are making theses changes now after 10 years of ownership of the Airport.
Possible Airport up for sale, Looking to speed up expansion, Get rid if the dead wood or something totally different out of the blue?
 
To me its looking more like Bridgepoint Capital PLC maybe having a clearout of LBA's Top management team. Especilly now if it's true Tony Hallwood has gone along with the Ex CEO John Parkin retiring.

I wonder why Bridgepoint Capital are making theses changes now after 10 years of ownership of the Airport.
Possible Airport up for sale, Looking to speed up expansion, Get rid if the dead wood or something totally different out of the blue?

Tony has updated his Twitter account so looks like he's gone - real shame.
 
..and his contact details have now gone from the LBA home page. I guess he won't be turning up at the Air Yorkshire meeting next month then!!
 
Now confirmed by Telegraph & Argus that Tony Hallwood is leaving LBA for pastures new, his taking up a role in his wife's business.

Source: http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/15352976.Airport_boss_flies_off_to_pastures_new/

16th June
Tony Hallwood, Leeds Bradford Airport's aviation development director, flies off to pastures new
Mark Stanford MarkS_TandA
T&A Reporter

6470302.jpg

Tony Hallwood, Leeds Bradford Airport's aviation development director, is leaving the site after nine years

A BOSS at Leeds Bradford Airport is to leave his role after nine years.

Tony Hallwood is stepping down as the Yeadon site’s aviation development director at the end of this month.

He says he is moving back to his family in Manchester and will also take an active role in his wife’s business.

He said: “I am immensely proud of my achievements at LBA in driving record passenger growth from 2.6million to 3.6m and delivering a string of major route development successes for the Leeds City Region and Yorkshire.

“Securing new based capacity from Ryanair and Monarch, the reintroduction of BA and Aer Lingus alongside Jet2.com’s and Flybe’s growth has helped ensure the continued success of LBA.

“I look forward to seeing the ongoing success of LBA under David Laws’ leadership.”
 
Real shame. Tony Hallwood always gave me the impression his post was more that just a job. He had a real belief in the airport. Im not sure of the politics at play here but one thing is for sure his lasting epitaph will be the reinstatement of a BA service to LBA. I wish him every success in the future.
 
In hindsight it would have been good to have seen what Tony and John could have achieved had Bridgepoint released the funds for more major investment projects at the airport. Tony can definately leave the airport with his head held high.
 

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