Weather an issue for reliability of Leeds Bradford flights

IT was pleasing to read (The Yorkshire Post, February 2) of the ongoing improvements and the record number of passengers passing through Leeds-Bradford International Airport (LBA).

However, one key issue is not addressed in the interview with the airport’s chief executive, John Parkin – the impact of the weather. Having increased my use of LBA since British Airways launched flights to Heathrow, resuming a route flown by British Midland; I’m once again questioning weather-related reliability.

Recently, the weather caused the cancellation of my flight to London from which I was connecting on to a flight to Washington.

Fortunately, on this occasion, British Airways were able to get me on a flight from Manchester in time for my onward flight.

This doubt over the greater impact of weather on operations at LBA over the option of flying from Manchester is nothing new.

Previously, I’ve twice ended-up arriving a day later than planned; and, on several occasions being re-routed via Manchester.

On one occasion I ended up sharing a taxi from LBA to Heathrow Airport with three others as this was the only way for us to catch our various connecting flights.

So, while wanting to see LBA flourish, I’m again tempted to book to travel via Manchester Airport as reliability is particularly crucial when flying long-haul.

From: Bob Watson, Baildon.

THE interview with John Parkin, the chief executive of Leeds Bradford International Airport (The Yorkshire Post, February 2) made interesting reading.

There was much mention of the increased passenger numbers, the improved terminal, a new “premium” car park to include a covered walkway, and the need for a better road infrastructure and a rail link to the airport. Mr Parkin is looking to more than double the passenger numbers over the next decade, and it was therefore disappointing that there was no mention of the one thing that would help to make the UK’s highest airport more attractive to prospective travellers.

That is by substantially increasing the number of air bridges so that passengers do not have to walk across the Tarmac (to buses or planes) as much as they are obliged to do now.

Surely this should be one of the highest priorities in the 21st century?