The sky's the limit, Yorks councils could net millions in airport sell-off

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Member for

19 years 10 months

Posts: 784

HI

This item has appeared this eveings local eveing Paper The Yorkshire Evening Post here in Leeds & West Yorkshire. Looks as thou the local Lid Dem council here in Leeds who run Leeds/Bradford Airport along with the 4 other district conucils here in west Yorkshire are on about selling its shares in the Airport (5 district Councils being Leeds, Bradford, Calderdale, Wakefield & Kirklees)

The sky's the limit
Yorks councils could net millions in airport sell-off

By DAVID MARSH
LEEDS Bradford Airport could be sold in a move which would net councils in West Yorkshire a windfall worth tens of millions of pounds.
Senior councillors in Leeds – which could be in line for up to £40m – are discussing the possibility of cashing in on the airport which attracts over one million passengers a year and is jointly owned by West Yorkshire's five local authorities.
An independent report analysing options for the airport's future was commissioned by Leeds City Council, and some senior figures within the authority believe now could be the right time to sell.
It was estimated last year that hiving off a 51 per cent stake to the private sector could fetch £100m, of which Leeds and Bradford would each receive £40m with the remaining £20m split equally between Wakefield, Kirklees and Calderdale.
Selling the asset would provide Leeds with a cash pot which could be used to support a number of projects considered vital to its economic future, including the building of an arena.
Capital
Along with the prospect of receiving a massive payout, a number of other factors are driving the push for a sale.
The airport will require major capital investment over the next few years - likely to include the resurfacing of the runway – which leaves the five councils facing a multi-million pound bill.
It will also need investment to help it compete with rivals, particularly the new Robin Hood Airport near Doncaster. When in opposition on the council, Conservatives in Leeds called for the council to sell the airport. Now part of a ruling alliance with the Liberal Democrats and Greens, they are keen to force the issue up the local political agenda.
They are also encouraged by the £194m shared between councils in the North East three years ago when they sold a stake in Newcastle Airport.
Coun Andrew Carter (Con, Calverley and Farsley), the council's deputy leader, said: "Leeds Bradford is the only airport in the UK without a private sector partner. The airport is key to the city's economic success, and it is important we keep reviewing our options. Robin Hood is a threat in the longer term and we need to do all we can to ensure Leeds Bradford is in the best position to compete.
Successful
"There is a lot that can be done, but as local authorities we haven't got the sort of money required."
Coun Mark Harris (Lib Dem, Moortown), council leader, said: "My view on the airport is the same as it is with other council services. The starting point is what is the service for and how is it best delivered? Ownership is almost irrelevant. I am not wedded to any dogma – private or public – but I am in favour of looking at the airport's future to ensure it provides successful services in the best interests of itself, the city and the region."
Coun Keith Wakefield, Labour group leader, condemned the idea as "selling off the family silver."
He said: "The airport is a big public sector success story. It is an efficient and well loved asset that is owned by the people. I know it has to compete with others, but Leeds Bradford serves a huge catchment area and I think it can meet any challenges."
Leeds now wants to arrange talks with West Yorkshire's other councils to discuss a possible sale. In 2004-05 the airport made a pre-tax profit of just over £1.2m compared with just over £2.6m for the previous year.
[email]david.marsh@ypn.co.uk[/email]

Also you can read here http://www.leedstoday.net/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=39&ArticleID=1230775

Original post

Member for

19 years 10 months

Posts: 110

Leeds and Bradford Council budgets are about £750m per annum. £40m seems a lot of money, but at 5% of the total budget its a drop in the ocean which will be seen just once. A partnership with the private sector would be a more sensible way forward that way an annual income is received rather than a one off capital receipt.

Member for

20 years 10 months

Posts: 9,401

Surely would be a very good thing for LBA, anything that means expansion is good for me!

Member for

18 years 5 months

Posts: 101

Should be great news for LBA as the councils don't seem to invest heavily at the airport. The airport isn't expanding fast enough for the likes of Jet2.

Member for

18 years 6 months

Posts: 117

I think this is prob one of the best things that could happen @ LBA...

Surely it will help us to exapnd much faster??

Member for

18 years 5 months

Posts: 101

Maybe Philip Meeson might want to buy into the airport? This would then truely become Jet2 land!

Member for

19 years 10 months

Posts: 784

Hi

Latest news:
Leeds based supermarket chain ASDA Uk - WAL MART are all accounts intrested in buying the 51% of Leeds/Bradford Airport.

Are supermarket alowed to buy UK Airports???

Member for

19 years 10 months

Posts: 110

As a company Asda-Walmart can buy shares in whatever it likes.

Member for

18 years 11 months

Posts: 692

Our college at LBA has a few Asda signs too...

Member for

18 years 6 months

Posts: 1,064

Yes but apparently people hate the Leeds Asda because it has a wonky car park and the trolleys decide to go wondering, it's always on watchdog.

Member for

18 years 11 months

Posts: 692

Yes but apparently people hate the Leeds Asda because it has a wonky car park and the trolleys decide to go wondering, it's always on watchdog.

What does that have to do with anything?!

Member for

18 years 6 months

Posts: 1,064

No idea whatsoever, highlighting the downside to Asda's dominance in Leeds, they cut corners in car park construction.

Need Answered, see the signature

Member for

18 years 11 months

Posts: 692

Surely would be a very good thing for LBA, anything that means expansion is good for me!

It'd be funny if some sort of major expansion was planned and our college came under threat... :rolleyes: lol, I can imagine that.

Member for

19 years 5 months

Posts: 1,887

Are supermarket alowed to buy UK Airports???

Yes. Just like BT could buy Boots or Stagecoach could buy GlaxoSmithKline

Member for

19 years 10 months

Posts: 784

Hi guys

Take a look at this video. Its all about Wal Mart Aviation. (Owners
of ASDA.)
http://walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=285&contId=3410

Just out off intrest it could be good for Wal Mart to buy into LBA
as it would make an ideal Cargo hub for there imports. I could just
image Cargo aircraft landing at LBA again. Yes, It would need alot
of money been spent on the airport, A new Cargo hub, As well as a most
likey runway extension.

Is it just me, Or am i in dream land???

Member for

24 years 2 months

Posts: 3,672

Hi guys

Take a look at this video. Its all about Wal Mart Aviation. (Owners
of ASDA.)
http://walmartstores.com/GlobalWMStoresWeb/navigate.do?catg=285&contId=3410

Just out off intrest it could be good for Wal Mart to buy into LBA
as it would make an ideal Cargo hub for there imports. I could just
image Cargo aircraft landing at LBA again. Yes, It would need alot
of money been spent on the airport, A new Cargo hub, As well as a most
likey runway extension.

Is it just me, Or am i in dream land???

Sorry mate but do we have to hear the same copy and paste several times - i could swear I keep reading the same stories over and over again, word for word on other boards?

Member for

18 years 5 months

Posts: 162

They should sell the airport asap, LBA now needs investment which should include a rail link and a longer runway plus a better terminal
Thet also need to keep an eye on Robin Hood as that will take business of us soon if no investment is made at LBA

Member for

19 years 10 months

Posts: 784

Hi EGNM

Sorry mate but do we have to hear the same copy and paste several times - i could swear I keep reading the same stories over and over again, word for word on other boards?

EGNM, I Have only posted this artical on the following. The LBA2yahoo email group and on this Key Publishing Thread. Posted on here so people not on the LBA2 email group knowns what going on. This is related to this thread.

Sorry, I Don't see a problem with that. Don't know where else you might have read it??

Member for

18 years 11 months

Posts: 692

They should sell the airport asap, LBA now needs investment which should include a rail link

Agreed! That would be really beneficial, but is there a realistic chance of it happening? How long would it take to build and how much money would need to be spent?