LEEDS BRADFORD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE Leeds Bradford International Airport West Yorkshire LS19 7TU Tel 0871 288 2288 Fax 0113 250 5426 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD AT LBA ON THURSDAY 12 JUNE 2014 Members Representing Mr M Dobson Deputy Chairman (Chairman) Mr A Elsegood Menston Neighbourhood Forum & Community Association Mrs B McLaren Local Residents Representative - Yeadon End of Runway Mr B Dunsby Harrogate Chamber of Trade & Commerce Cllr C Trotter North Yorkshire County Council Cllr E Shaw Yorkshire Local Councils Association Cllr J Howard Bramhope & Carlton Parish Council Cllr J Davies Yorkshire Local Councils Association Cllr P Calvert Yorkshire Local Councils Association Cllr P Wadsworth Leeds City Council Mrs H Ruane Airport Support Group Mr K Cothliff Aireborough Neighbourhood Forum Mr M Shaw Harrogate Chamber of Trade & Commerce (Deputy) Mr P Jenkins Burley Parish Council Mr R Allan Bradford Chamber of Commerce Airport Company Mr A Hallwood Aviation Development and Marketing Director Mr J Mayor Head of Asset & Development Mr B Marriott Health & Safety Manager Miss T Stevenson Environmental Manager Miss A Houlden Business Administration Manager (Secretary) Mr N Tucker Planning Consultant 1. MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE The following two changes to membership were noted: Aireborough Neighbourhood were appointed as a member of the Committee. Their representative was to be Ken Cothliff. Councillor John Davies was appointed as the Yorkshire Local Councils Association Leeds representative, replacing Cllr Ian Scott. Both new members were welcomed to the Committee. The Chairman thanked Cllr Scott in his absentia for his contribution during his time as a Committee member. 1
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Alternate Michael Goodwin Committee Chairman Yes John Parkin Chief Executive Yes Alan Shaw Interim Head of Operations Mike McKenzie Mutliflight/General Aviation David Gagen Local Industry Rep. Steve Lee Jet2.com Cllr Val Slater Bradford Council Cllr Serena Glover Local Residents Rep. Horsforth End Runway Reverend N Baker Airport Chaplain 3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING The minutes were approved. 4. BUSINESS PROGRESS REPORT Tony Hallwood gave a detailed business update which included commentary on passenger performance for the financial year just ended 31 March 2014. Comparisons with competitors and prospects for the year ahead were outlined. New routes, route changes and cancellations to the destinations portfolio at Leeds Bradford were also made available. New route suggestions were welcomed from Committee members. Terminal developments were briefly outlined, these included the creation of an extended queuing area for passenger awaiting the security screening process. 1) Mr A Elsegood gave an account of customers he witnessed struggling with the walking distances at LBA following the arrival of their flight. This point attracted much debate from several Committee members. TH offered his apologies and summarised the key points as he saw them. Actions arising were for the Secretary to review the information on the website specifically regarding special assistance and the arrivals process. 2) Mr P Jenkins enquired as to the reason PIA had withdrawn their service to Islamabad. TH responded with his view on why this had happened and what the prospects were for the route to be reintroduced. 3) Mr B Dunsby enquired who would be a suitable contact at Jet2.com to open a dialogue with on promoting the Harrogate Christmas Market to overseas visitors. TH suggested an appropriate contact. 4) Mr B Dunsby suggested a business route to New York. TH responded with details as to which airlines were likely to operate such a route, acknowledging 2
that presently the best way is to use the British Airways (BA) service from Leeds Bradford to Heathrow and onward-connect. A discussion about BA marketing activity particularly around raising the profile of the price attractiveness between Leeds Bradford and Heathrow took place. 5) Mr K Cothliff recalled a time when LBA had a direct service to Toronto. TH commented on the prospects for such a service to be reintroduced. 6) Cllr J Howard enquired about to air services to regional France and why for example La Rochelle is not yet on sale. TH responded that LBA is awaiting confirmation from Jet2.com about its introduction. 7) Cllr J Howard advised he was aware of a Let Britain Fly lobbying event scheduled for 2 July 2014. TH advised he was also aware and was intending to be present to give his views. That the report be noted. That the secretary reviews the information on the website specifically regarding special assistance and the arrivals process. 5. MASTER PLAN UPDATE Jon Mayor presented a brief update on the Master Plan. The overriding point being that much work continues to be progressed in the background in delivering a cogent Master Plan for the airport. JM gave a clear assurance that, at the right time, the airport will consult fully with the community recognising that it would be foolish and wrong not to do so. The airport recognises the contributions the region can make towards the development of the airport. Updates will continue to be provided to the Committee as the work progresses thorough its many and detailed stages. 1) Mrs B McLaren enquired as to the timeline for delivery of the Master Plan. JM responded that there is no fixed date save for an internal commitment to deliver much of what is required during the current financial year. 2) Mr K Cothliff recalled the airport used to make available annual review booklets which were useful, and enquired as to the prospects for reintroducing something in a variety of formats (not just digital). JM agreed to take away and consider this request. That JM give further consideration to the release of an appropriate information document. 3
6. CAR PARKING UPDATE Jon Mayor provided details of a package of enhancements being made to LBA s car park operation to provide a step change in service delivery ahead of peak summer season. 500 additional car parking spaces have been provided. The introduction of larger car park shuttle buses will follow in the coming weeks which will improve capacity, frequency and journey time. The long stay car parking bus route has been rationalised and new bus shelters will be positioned along its route. The shuttle bus drop off and pick up point for customers at the terminal will be positioned immediately in front of the doors to the terminal building. LBA s valet parking offer will recommence on 23 June 2014 and be operated from a new meet and greet reception facility conveniently located within the short stay car park. The works are anticipated to be completed by early July. 1) Cllr P Wadsworth enquired about the future plans for the free one hour zone in light of some temporary alterations to it. JM advised the changes were temporary and were to enable the wider car parking strategy to be realised. JM advised that the zone will continue in largely its present form however the airport wishes to improve access to it and awaits a decision from planning. The free one hour zone will not have a dedicated bus stop. 2) Mrs H Rune asked how passengers will pick up the long stay shuttle bus, JM advised there would be various break-through points from within the long stay car parks to enable customers to easily get to one of the shelters which will be located along the spine road of the long stay car parks. 3) Mr P Jenkins enquired as to whether the car park surfaces, for those who chose to walk to the terminal will be improved. JM advised that as part of the works some path and kerb remedial works will be undertaken. 4) Mr A Elsegood gave an account of customers who had experienced difficulties with dropping off and picking up a hire car at the airport and had not been able to get into or out of the car hire zone. The Secretary was to investigate the process and advise. That the Secretary investigate the process for car hire customers when dropping off/picking up a hire car. 4
7. NOISE & TRACK KEEPING UPDATE Tracey Stevenson gave a brief update. It was anticipated that the Summer 2013 results would be provided to the September meeting. During the Tour De France event Saturday 05 and Sunday 06 July, it was noted there may be rare occasions when aircraft departing or arriving at Leeds Bradford Airport may not be following noise preferential arrival or departure routes. It is stressed this will be on rare occasions and for the purpose of Safety and Operational requirements. It should be noted however, there are a large amount of aircraft at least 8 helicopters directly associated with the event and other, mainly light aircraft, that will have a noise impact on some local areas. These aircraft are mainly outside the control of LBA. This note would be added to the website. 1) Mr A Elsegood commended the airport following the introduction of its new Noise & Track Keeping software and was reassured by the demonstration he had received. 8. HARROGATE RAIL LINE DEVELOPMENTS Mr B Dunsby provided an update on recent developments with the Harrogate Rail Line. On 9 th April 2014 he had attended a rail industry day about future line developments where he had spoken with the Secretary of State for Transport about the Harrogate opportunity. Last week an electrification task force had been formally constituted with some important stakeholders leading the work. This was a further positive step forward for the Harrogate opportunity and further updates will continue to be provided. 9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS None. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Thursday 11 th September at 1330hrs in the Media Centre. 5