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...?

 

Yet another update from Ros Jones. Delay ‘by a few weeks’ cos of the new Government which Ros Jones knew about last time she released an update cos apparently the new ministers needed briefing. Not sure why they needed briefing, seems a bit of an excuse to me. Rumours that the preferred partner backed out which would explain the delay..

 

Yet another update from Ros Jones. Delay ‘by a few weeks’ cos of the new Government which Ros Jones knew about last time she released an update cos apparently the new ministers needed briefing. Not sure why they needed briefing, seems a bit of an excuse to me. Rumours that the preferred partner backed out which would explain the delay..

How can Labour explain away wasting taxpayers money on a previously failed scheme like this while at the same time taking away winter fuel payments from pensioners. That is going to be the big question. There is no logical sense in this at all.

 

How can Labour explain away wasting taxpayers money on a previously failed scheme like this while at the same time taking away winter fuel payments from pensioners. That is going to be the big question. There is no logical sense in this at all.

‘Economic regeneration’ presumably. The money was there anyway is my understanding, which is why I don’t understand the need to brief the incoming ministers. They aren’t involved! This issue with airspace is again diversion tactics, the CAA aren’t going to steamroller over it, the fact they haven’t moved on it in over a year is probably due to their good grace and waiting to see what happens, that’s why it’s been halted after the findings that it didn’t meet SoS call in criteria.

Excuses excuses to my mind, but then this bit was always going to be the tricky bit with regards reopening.

 

I put my expectations of a successful outcome at about 15% from the very beginning. When CDC got lease that rose to no more than 25%, but that didn't last that long and has dropped away as each delay has been announced.

I think its been fair bit shambolic from well before closure. The local authorities have missed out on too many opportunities to be able to step in and assist, only starting when it was way too late.

Sleeping at the wheel is one way to put it.

 

I put my expectations of a successful outcome at about 15% from the very beginning. When CDC got lease that rose to no more than 25%, but that didn't last that long and has dropped away as each delay has been announced.

I think its been fair bit shambolic from well before closure. The local authorities have missed out on too many opportunities to be able to step in and assist, only starting when it was way too late.

Sleeping at the wheel is one way to put it.

I think they have interest, what I’m not sure on is whether the interest that has materialised is actually the credible operator the airport would need to make a dent in a challenging market. Appreciate they have to run through ‘due diligence’ but what due diligence is necessary to appoint someone to operate the airport? They aren’t completing a sale as far as I’m aware! The original documents from a year ago stated that the contract was five years and worth £100million.

What I think is happening is scrutiny of the plans put forward to the bidder(s) and the Council will be having to push for some tangible proof that the business will become profitable. Will have to be good enough to receive funding from SYMCA, SYMCA being the organisation that turned Peels loan/equity offer down as Peel were unable to guarantee within reasonable level of confidence that the airport would become profitable. The local authorities weren’t interested enough in the past is the truth, its only the various groups petitioning to get it reopened that is driving the Council.

If it didn’t qualify for public investment then I’ve no idea how it would now, particularly with the vast sums mentioned. That is where they’re at, not ‘due diligence’.

 

Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Mayor releases statement on reopening plans with new update

Mayor Ros Jones has provided a new update on plans to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk

 

Yaaaaaawwwwwwnnnnnnnn!

 

Yaaaaaawwwwwwnnnnnnnn!

Someone claiming to be involved with SYMCA has posted elsewhere that, in spite of what Ros Jones’ statements allude to, no real interest has materialised from budding operators and not one airline has expressed an interest in operating from a reopened DSA as yet.

Now of course we have to take this with a huge pinch of salt, I don’t think airlines will be in talks with CDC as they would be waiting until there is some certainty in the project. But the silence over the last couple of months paired with the vague cut n paste statement from Ros Jones yesterday could suggest things aren’t going exactly to plan.

Meanwhile we’re into the 6th month of a 125 year lease which has been agreed with Peel for an undisclosed sum, but the costs of which are being shouldered presumably by the tax payer.

 

One of no doubt many inaccurate parts of that article.

It is (was) one of only two commercial international airports in Yorkshire, along with Leeds Bradford Airport.

 

and not one airline has expressed an interest in operating from a reopened DSA as yet.

Except probably for TUI. Wizz won’t be as they appear happy at LBA and have claimed they won’t move back if DSA was to reopen

Otherwise I don’t see anyone else moving there

 

Except probably for TUI. Wizz won’t be as they appear happy at LBA and have claimed they won’t move back if DSA was to reopen

Otherwise I don’t see anyone else moving there

We don’t know for sure that TUI have expressed any interest. All we’ve had is a vague statement from Ros Jones some months back saying she is in regular contact with them.

I’m sure they’d look at returning, but there is no guarantee. The closure obviously had an impact on them, they’d want to know it’s not going to happen again!

All airlines would probably support the reopening, but supporting is one thing, actually committing is another entirely. Remember the airlines that put their name to the Doncaster Finningley proposal? I think only two ever started flying from there and out of those two only one actually stayed!!

 

Except probably for TUI. Wizz won’t be as they appear happy at LBA and have claimed they won’t move back if DSA was to reopen

Otherwise I don’t see anyone else moving there

I dont trust any airline. They just tell the listener what they want to hear.

 

We don’t know for sure that TUI have expressed any interest. All we’ve had is a vague statement from Ros Jones some months back saying she is in regular contact with them.

I’m sure they’d look at returning, but there is no guarantee. The closure obviously had an impact on them, they’d want to know it’s not going to happen again!

All airlines would probably support the reopening, but supporting is one thing, actually committing is another entirely. Remember the airlines that put their name to the Doncaster Finningley proposal? I think only two ever started flying from there and out of those two only one actually stayed!!

Simply not true!

DSA supporters are adamant Virgin will be in offering Florida, Emirates to Dubai, KLM knocking at the door.. oh let’s not forget Jet2 shutting their Leeds ops for DSA oh sorry also Jet2 buying DSA couldn’t make it up.

I’m sure TUI is interested in return but it literally could be 1/2 W patterns a week? They don’t have any more aircraft on order / due soon and would have to take AC out of other bases which I think they would be reluctant to do. Not anytime soon they will be needed..

Think Rod’ update is no update as usual. Interesting to see how it all pans out / waste of public money

 

Simply not true!

DSA supporters are adamant Virgin will be in offering Florida, Emirates to Dubai, KLM knocking at the door.. oh let’s not forget Jet2 shutting their Leeds ops for DSA oh sorry also Jet2 buying DSA couldn’t make it up.

I’m sure TUI is interested in return but it literally could be 1/2 W patterns a week? They don’t have any more aircraft on order / due soon and would have to take AC out of other bases which I think they would be reluctant to do. Not anytime soon they will be needed..

Think Rod’ update is no update as usual. Interesting to see how it all pans out / waste of public money

Can’t really knock those who never had an interest other than it was a local airport, it’s why the consensus is long runway = long haul. Most of them would never stop to consider the facts that are obvious to those of us who do have an interest in it. I have seen people saying Singapore and other Far Eastern airlines would be great at DSA. Of course they would, doesn’t mean it’s going to happen! It’s a tough enough job for an airport like MAN to attract lasting long haul connections..

 

Quite frankly it's all Virgin on the ridiculous! Could ask any DSA supporters - Dubai into any of this? Time to face facts I am sorry to say

 

For anyone interested in unsubstantiated rumours. The talk is that the operator they prefer is Irish and they may be backed by a foreign investment firm. Absolutely no way of knowing whether there is any truth to that whatsoever but that’s the whispers doing the rounds.

I remain skeptical that such information would leak.

 

For anyone interested in unsubstantiated rumours. The talk is that the operator they prefer is Irish and they may be backed by a foreign investment firm. Absolutely no way of knowing whether there is any truth to that whatsoever but that’s the whispers doing the rounds.

I remain skeptical that such information would leak.

The cats out of the bag. Here’s the new airport management team...

 

@Aviador be careful please as the pro DSA league will be having a paddy!

 

I wonder if they will change the name to Dublin East.

 

It's a way of Dublin capacity due to the cap further West!!!