A new airport.... South Yorkshire Airport City?

Doncaster Sheffield Airport Strategic Review Announcement​

Forums4airports discusses the latest press release from Doncaster Sheffield airport where the airport questions the future of the airport. The owners of the airport, the Peel Group have announced they are looking at their options as the group has decided the airport is no longer viable as an operational airport. Here's the press release:

"The Board of Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) has begun a review of strategic options for the Airport. This review follows lengthy deliberations by the Board of DSA which has reluctantly concluded that aviation activity on the site may no longer be commercially viable.

DSA’s owner, the Peel Group, as the Airport’s principal funder, has reviewed the conclusions of the Board of DSA and commissioned external independent advice in order to evaluate and test the conclusions drawn, which concurs with the Board’s initial findings.

Since the Peel Group acquired the Airport site in 1999 and converted it into an international commercial airport, which opened in 2005, significant amounts have been invested in the terminal, the airfield and its operations, both in relation to the original conversion and subsequently to improve the facilities and infrastructure on offer to create an award winning airport.

However, despite growth in passenger numbers, DSA has never achieved the critical mass required to become profitable and this fundamental issue of a shortfall in passenger numbers is exacerbated by the announcement on 10 June 2022 of the unilateral withdrawal of the Wizz Air based aircraft, leaving the Airport with only one base carrier, namely TUI.

This challenge has been increased by other changes in the aviation market, the well-publicised impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and increasingly important environmental considerations. It has therefore been concluded that aviation activity may no longer be the use for the site which delivers the maximum economic and environmental benefit to the region. Against this backdrop, DSA and the Peel Group, will initiate a consultation and engagement programme with stakeholders on the future of the site and how best to maximise and capitalise on future economic growth opportunities for Doncaster and the wider Sheffield City Region.

The wider Peel Group is already delivering significant development and business opportunities on its adjoining GatewayEast development including the recent deal for over 400,000 sq ft logistics and advanced manufacturing development on site, creating hundreds of new jobs and delivering further economic investment in the region.

Robert Hough, Chairman of Peel Airports Group, which includes Doncaster Sheffield Airport, said: “It is a critical time for aviation globally. Despite pandemic related travel restrictions slowly drawing to a close, we are still facing ongoing obstacles and dynamic long-term threats to the future of the aviation industry. The actions by Wizz to sacrifice its base at Doncaster to shore up its business opportunities at other bases in the South of England are a significant blow for the Airport.

Now is the right time to review how DSA can best create future growth opportunities for Doncaster and for South Yorkshire. The Peel Group remains committed to delivering economic growth, job opportunities and prosperity for Doncaster and the wider region.”

DSA and the Peel Group pride themselves on being forward-thinking whilst prioritising the welfare of staff and customers alike. As such, no further public comments will be made whilst they undertake this engagement period with all stakeholders.
During the Strategic Review, the Airport will operate as normal. Therefore passengers who are due to travel to the airport, please arrive and check in as normal. If there are any disruptions with your flight, you will be contacted by your airline in good time.
For all press enquiries, please contact Charlotte Leach at [email protected]."

"Not great news for DSA or the region"

Should the government or local council foot the bill and provide a financial subsidy to keep the airport open, thoughts...?

 

My understanding is the advertising ban thing only applies to council owned sites, which I suspect is a very small number of the overall total.

 

My understanding is the advertising ban thing only applies to council owned sites, which I suspect is a very small number of the overall total.

Dont think thats the point, more the statement of support on a wider level. You can’t ban advertising of airports/airlines on the one hand then approve the spending of vast amounts of public money on an airport on the other hand. I know it’s ultimately SYMCA board who apply for the funding, but I would expect questions to be asked if and when the FOBC is submitted later this year.

 

I agree with that. I am simply clarifying my understanding of the advertising point, which suggested that the airport or any airlines will be at a commercial disadvantage if they can't advertise in the area. If the ban only applies to council owned sites, it won't have much of an impact at all. But does it suggest an inconsistency between different political groups? Yes, of course. (But that's hardly unique to SY)

 

I agree with that. I am simply clarifying my understanding of the advertising point, which suggested that the airport or any airlines will be at a commercial disadvantage if they can't advertise in the area. If the ban only applies to council owned sites, it won't have much of an impact at all. But does it suggest an inconsistency between different political groups? Yes, of course. (But that's hardly unique to SY)

You are undoubtedly correct, I’m not sure they could apply such rules on private advertising hoardings. Also, I’m not sure how much those types of advertising facilities actually help promote services these days, online is key. However, Sheffield have been pretty quick to move on certain things like ULEZ implementation, way ahead of other cities of its size. So there is clearly a sizeable green influence in the city, and by virtue of that their influence will spill out into the airport scheme.

Note today 2Excel have unsurprisingly thrown their support behind the reopening of DSA. Crucial to add though, that they are exploring the possibility of using it as an unlicensed aerodrome as their core operations do not really need the facilities that CAT does. Begs the question then, could the airport be more profitable without the passenger side and all the expense that entails?

 

It goes way beyond what is on the outside of the statement.
Any major event that takes place such as Snooker at The Crucible would find themselves subject to this advertising ban.

Now if there is a Sheffield Marathon/ Games/ Road Cycle Race, or event in a big park, then this advertising ban would be enforced. You couldn't even have a sign this event is sponsored/ provided by.

So even say the airport provides funding to help a carnival/ family event be held on a council field, any material would prohibit mentioning the airport. Any council produced news magazines/ news letters couldn't have any adverts from airport or airlines.

This goes far beyond what has been made headline of. It is not just billboards it goes a lot further and deeper than people will realise.

 

It goes way beyond what is on the outside of the statement.
Any major event that takes place such as Snooker at The Crucible would find themselves subject to this advertising ban.

Now if there is a Sheffield Marathon/ Games/ Road Cycle Race, or event in a big park, then this advertising ban would be enforced. You couldn't even have a sign this event is sponsored/ provided by.

So even say the airport provides funding to help a carnival/ family event be held on a council field, any material would prohibit mentioning the airport. Any council produced news magazines/ news letters couldn't have any adverts from airport or airlines.

This goes far beyond what has been made headline of. It is not just billboards it goes a lot further and deeper than people will realise.

Yep - you can forget DSA sponsorship of Sheffield Arena or the Blades again! Both rely on Sheffield Council support who will no doubt use that as leverage! Talk about a nanny state!

 

Yep - you can forget DSA sponsorship of Sheffield Arena or the Blades again! Both rely on Sheffield Council support who will no doubt use that as leverage! Talk about a nanny state!

It’s bizarre, at a time when the South Yorkshire authorities are supposed to be pulling together to get DSA open again, to send out such a signal is odd, no matter how insignificant it may be on face value. Wonder if it’s gone unnoticed by the bidders who are apparently in advanced negotiations with the council execs?

2Excel have broken silence today to throw support behind the reopening. Unsurprisingly really, they’ve invested a lot in the site and their diverse operations does not rely on the fickle passenger market. Bit rich of them to say it should never have closed though, when the airport was losing the amount it was there was no option.

 

It’s bizarre, at a time when the South Yorkshire authorities are supposed to be pulling together to get DSA open again, to send out such a signal is odd, no matter how insignificant it may be on face value. Wonder if it’s gone unnoticed by the bidders who are apparently in advanced negotiations with the council execs?

2Excel have broken silence today to throw support behind the reopening. Unsurprisingly really, they’ve invested a lot in the site and their diverse operations does not rely on the fickle passenger market. Bit rich of them to say it should never have closed though, when the airport was losing the amount it was there was no option.

I doubt it will have gone unnoticed - any operator getting involved in any airport which relies on public funding is taking on a huge risk. Political parties change their principles like the wind….just supposing the Greens ended up with a deciding vote on Sheffield Council……

 

2Excel have broken silence today to throw support behind the reopening. Unsurprisingly really, they’ve invested a lot in the site and their diverse operations does not rely on the fickle passenger market. Bit rich of them to say it should never have closed though, when the airport was losing the amount it was there was no option.

I see that in the statement that they are looking at growing the amount of operations based at Finningley.

So could this mean relocating the operations base at Lasham upto Finningley. So this would include project Excalibur.

So judging by that statement it could be case of them tripling based levels of pre DSA closure. If that happens then that gives Finningley a substantial base of revenues. But then that questions about space, looking at satellite view of Lasham 12 large aircraft. So could it mean more stands required to be built.


"Reopening would see 2Excel restart flight operations from Hangar 3, bringing back high-value, highly-skilled and well-paid jobs to the local area and pave the way to increase our presence at the site to match our Company’s ambitious growth plans."

Statement: The future of Doncaster-Sheffield Airport

2Excel has been continuously engaged with City of Doncaster Council to support the local authority’s ambition to reopen the airport.

www.2excelaviation.com

 

I see that in the statement that they are looking at growing the amount of operations based at Finningley.

So could this mean relocating the operations base at Lasham upto Finningley. So this would include project Excalibur.

So judging by that statement it could be case of them tripling based levels of pre DSA closure. If that happens then that gives Finningley a substantial base of revenues. But then that questions about space, looking at satellite view of Lasham 12 large aircraft. So could it mean more stands required to be built.


"Reopening would see 2Excel restart flight operations from Hangar 3, bringing back high-value, highly-skilled and well-paid jobs to the local area and pave the way to increase our presence at the site to match our Company’s ambitious growth plans."

Statement: The future of Doncaster-Sheffield Airport

2Excel has been continuously engaged with City of Doncaster Council to support the local authority’s ambition to reopen the airport.

www.2excelaviation.com

I don’t think they would relocate from Lasham, they’ve been there a long time. They also have aircraft in Sywell as that’s their HQ but they are unlikely to remove those. Doncaster was more special missions oriented so I think the 727’s and trials fleet will move back. Plus the MCA although as they move in to the new contract some of those will be dispersed anyway. They seem to be quite an adaptable business and able to pick up new contracts readily so that’s where their expansion will be.

Commercial director at Eastern Airways has had a say on LinkedIn, basically don’t expect there to be a flurry of airlines clambering over each other to be the first to start flying from there. A considered plan is required to establish how financial and operational sustainability can be achieved at a reopened airport. Be has tagged Ros jones et al in. It has been shared by Save DSA (presumably Mark Chadwick) who has tried to put him straight on some ‘facts’. Refreshing to see an airline exec put his head above the parapet, not surprising to see him being effectively shot down by the mechanic.

 

I don’t think they would relocate from Lasham, they’ve been there a long time. They also have aircraft in Sywell as that’s their HQ but they are unlikely to remove those. Doncaster was more special missions oriented so I think the 727’s and trials fleet will move back. Plus the MCA although as they move in to the new contract some of those will be dispersed anyway. They seem to be quite an adaptable business and able to pick up new contracts readily so that’s where their expansion will be.

Commercial director at Eastern Airways has had a say on LinkedIn, basically don’t expect there to be a flurry of airlines clambering over each other to be the first to start flying from there. A considered plan is required to establish how financial and operational sustainability can be achieved at a reopened airport. Be has tagged Ros jones et al in. It has been shared by Save DSA (presumably Mark Chadwick) who has tried to put him straight on some ‘facts’. Refreshing to see an airline exec put his head above the parapet, not surprising to see him being effectively shot down by the mechanic.

the mechanic probably thinks is all a conspiracy theory as he stated about York aviation and that the Commercial Director is working in cahoots with other airports to dis DSA.
What he doesn’t realise is that it is very difficult to actually find anyone in the industry who actually thinks this airport has a chance of success! This will be reflected in the price any operator will seek for the tax payer for taking on what is a considerable commercial risk!

 

the mechanic probably thinks is all a conspiracy theory as he stated about York aviation and that the Commercial Director is working in cahoots with other airports to dis DSA.
What he doesn’t realise is that it is very difficult to actually find anyone in the industry who actually thinks this airport has a chance of success! This will be reflected in the price any operator will seek for the tax payer for taking on what is a considerable commercial risk!

I’m keeping an open mind on the operator, if it’s an experienced operator with a significant portfolio and influence in the industry, plus a commitment to invest in the long term, it might actually make DSA a success. But we don’t know yet so I think some quarters are celebrating a bit too prematurely - such as stating ‘Saved DSA’. But you are correct, I think a lot of airline execs will be watching with interest, question is how many will be watching form the sidelines having previous experience with the place?

 

You are undoubtedly correct, I’m not sure they could apply such rules on private advertising hoardings. Also, I’m not sure how much those types of advertising facilities actually help promote services these days, online is key. However, Sheffield have been pretty quick to move on certain things like ULEZ implementation, way ahead of other cities of its size. So there is clearly a sizeable green influence in the city, and by virtue of that their influence will spill out into the airport scheme.

Note today 2Excel have unsurprisingly thrown their support behind the reopening of DSA. Crucial to add though, that they are exploring the possibility of using it as an unlicensed aerodrome as their core operations do not really need the facilities that CAT does. Begs the question then, could the airport be more profitable without the passenger side and all the expense that entails?

You are undoubtedly correct, I’m not sure they could apply such rules on private advertising hoardings. Also, I’m not sure how much those types of advertising facilities actually help promote services these days, online is key. However, Sheffield have been pretty quick to move on certain things like ULEZ implementation, way ahead of other cities of its size. So there is clearly a sizeable green influence in the city, and by virtue of that their influence will spill out into the airport scheme.

Note today 2Excel have unsurprisingly thrown their support behind the reopening of DSA. Crucial to add though, that they are exploring the possibility of using it as an unlicensed aerodrome as their core operations do not really need the facilities that CAT does. Begs the question then, could the airport be more profitable without the passenger side and all the expense that entails?

That's an interesting point regarding profitability. I sometimes have a quick scan of the campaign sites and noticed an interesting post the other day from the admin of the blog site (not the mechanic's or accountant's) - an ex employee at DSA. It would seem that he has had some sort of brief as to the direction that the re-opened site might take although he has not (and cannot) say as much.
A much smaller operation than the previous one. No guarantee of ex employees getting their jobs back.
Focus on freight first. Very few jobs on the passenger side for a few years.
The logic of that makes sense - avoids the huge expense of handling passengers whilst getting in some income and coincidental with your point.
It would indeed be ironic if after the re-opening (assuming it does), the holidaymakers who have probably pressured their Council into this don't get any flights for a couple of years!!! The fur is bound to fly and a new scapegoat will have to be found!

 

As posted elsewhere, Jet2 have now intimated no more U.K. bases after the opening of BOH next year.

Jet2 boss rules out Gatwick launch and says no more new bases after Bournemouth

Steve Heapy has signalled an end to Jet2’s expansion into new UK bases following the announcement of a move into Bournemouth airport in 2025

www.ttgmedia.com

Not impossible that this would change, but makes the chances of DSA being a future Jet2 base even less likely now.

 

As posted elsewhere, Jet2 have now intimated no more U.K. bases after the opening of BOH next year.

Jet2 boss rules out Gatwick launch and says no more new bases after Bournemouth

Steve Heapy has signalled an end to Jet2’s expansion into new UK bases following the announcement of a move into Bournemouth airport in 2025

www.ttgmedia.com

Not impossible that this would change, but makes the chances of DSA being a future Jet2 base even less likely now.

Personally I think the chances of Jet2 basing at DSA have been virtually nil and will remain so. There's no incentive to open a base there with 3 established bases each within an hour's drive.

 

And not sure Jet2 are alone in that thinking. Maybe there only hope is Global Airlines flying Airlander 10s!!!!

 

And not sure Jet2 are alone in that thinking. Maybe there only hope is Global Airlines flying Airlander 10s!!!!

There might be a focus on non passenger ops at a reopened airport. I would expect in such a scenario the cost to the tax payer should be minimal! They’ll be expecting cheap flights to Alicante and if they don’t get that then the Mayors won’t have done their jobs in the eyes of the electorate.

There has been suggestion that they haven’t ruled out operating W patterns from more U.K. airports. I’d be confident in stating they will not do this. It has huge cost implications and operationally they are inefficient and just not the Jet2 way. It’s basically stung it’s possible because it’s not been mentioned….

 

I know it is an hypothetical statement, but if Jet2 were to operate from DSA, TUI would definitely not return.

 

I know it is an hypothetical statement, but if Jet2 were to operate from DSA, TUI would definitely not return.

Isn't there not a new direction of travel for TUI now with the holiday company using seats on Ryanair for more of its flights? Its looking less and less likely TUI will return. Have they even issued a statement of intent? Surely at this point the airport should be getting statement of intents from all interested airlines seeking to use a newly reopened airport?

 

Isn't there not a new direction of travel for TUI now with the holiday company using seats on Ryanair for more of its flights? Its looking less and less likely TUI will return. Have they even issued a statement of intent? Surely at this point the airport should be getting statement of intents from all interested airlines seeking to use a newly reopened airport?

I would think that too many airlines have previously had their fingers burned at DSA in the past to commit again. Why would they? They couldn't make any money when a reasonably well respected operator owned DSA and virtually paid them to fly there , so why would they think anything's going to change this time, if 'this time' actually happens? Personally, I think any list of airlines will be very short indeed.

DSA won't attract domestic carriers, and why on Earth would a long haul carrier go there with MAN just over the hill? (Dont say it has a long runway!!). So that leaves short haul . Jet2 is highly unlikely and their CEO has already said no further bases. Wizz have told LBA management there's no way they are going back to DSA and although TUi had a love affair with DSA, they seem to be changing how they operate to some degree, using other airlines more. And will they want to take the risk of investing at DSA all over again? As for easyJet, they've been there before, and opening a base there in these circumstances represents a huge gamble even if they are heavily subsidised . I would think that if they wish to capture the Yorkshire market, they are far more likely to commit to a newly expanded LBA from 2025/6 given it's central location smack bang inbetween two of the UKs largest cities, rather than on the Southern border with Nottinghamshire miles from where most customers live.

Airlines will know, if asked to commit, that if they do so but several others don't, the future of DSA MK2 is bleak before it even opens and they are definitely not going to want to have to go through the hassle of shifting ops a second time.

So which airlines would commit I wonder?