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...?

 

Course he has, he’s been bullied into it by his own party, but because they have got National Government support there’s plenty of people to blame when it goes wrong. I still don’t believe they have any terms agreed with airlines yet, they’ve not even been given an airfield licence, the amount of work they must have to undertake seems extraordinary. The only thing I can imagine might happen is there is strong backlash from their independent audits and as it’s looking like they hwon’t announce anything until summer, it’ll be after the local elections. He’s possibly adding positive noises for electioneering purposes, it’s very convenient this is going on so close to them.

The video to last full council meeting is on YouTube now, watched the bit with questions about the airport earlier, absolutely none were answered.

However if/when it does reopen, expect the same idiots who used to say it’s a new airport to use the same excuse for another 15 years if it lasts that long..

He did also say that if it proved not to be a good deal then ot wouldn't go ahead.

The very fact he's seeking independent advice shows that he isn't convinced by what CDC are selling him, and that he has noted the comments coming from SAU snd even more so from York Aviation, so rather than make a decision now, he's delaying and seeking further independent advice from a source who will no doubt comment on the independent advice he already has! If that advice is similar, he's a brave man or fool to ignore the advice he asked for and hand over all of CDCs gainshare through to 2050.

At the very least, post elections, I expect an announcement that (sadly) our beloved airport won't be ready to operate from Spring 2026 as constantly stated by the CDC Mayor. It wont be their fault of course. It will be laid at others doors. The CAA for example who have yet to allocate airspace to DSA. Or the suppliers of all the equipment that needs to be ordered and manufactured, or the lack of airlines who couldn't commit because of the delays. It'll be everyone's fault, rather than admit the fact that the reopening date was never realistic.

 

He did also say that if it proved not to be a good deal then ot wouldn't go ahead.

The very fact he's seeking independent advice shows that he isn't convinced by what CDC are selling him, and that he has noted the comments coming from SAU snd even more so from York Aviation, so rather than make a decision now, he's delaying and seeking further independent advice from a source who will no doubt comment on the independent advice he already has! If that advice is similar, he's a brave man or fool to ignore the advice he asked for and hand over all of CDCs gainshare through to 2050.

At the very least, post elections, I expect an announcement that (sadly) our beloved airport won't be ready to operate from Spring 2026 as constantly stated by the CDC Mayor. It wont be their fault of course. It will be laid at others doors. The CAA for example who have yet to allocate airspace to DSA. Or the suppliers of all the equipment that needs to be ordered and manufactured, or the lack of airlines who couldn't commit because of the delays. It'll be everyone's fault, rather than admit the fact that the reopening date was never realistic.

I heard a very interesting rumour this morning, but couldn’t say if it’s true or not, that numerous aviation consultancy firms commissioned by CDC all came back with very dire warnings as to the viability of reopening the airport. I don’t know who they were or exactly what was said, nor do I know if this is indeed true, but it may explain why the Council chose not to name any of the consultancy firms they’ve apparently been involved with in the most recent press releases. FP Airports are most certainly not what I would call ‘sector specialists in the U.K.’

If this is true, and I’m in the fence at the moment, it would show that the Council have willingly neglected almost all advice on the matter.

 

£1.7 billion!
wheres that come from


Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial developer, has announced that it is proud to support the government’s reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport in spring 2026 and the exciting tie up with Munich Airport International GmbH (MAI) as part of the £1.7bn south yorkshire Airport City initiative to boost the region’s logistics and supply chain infrastructure.

 

£1.7 billion!
wheres that come from


Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial developer, has announced that it is proud to support the government’s reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport in spring 2026 and the exciting tie up with Munich Airport International GmbH (MAI) as part of the £1.7bn south yorkshire Airport City initiative to boost the region’s logistics and supply chain infrastructure.

Thin air, just like all the other numbers.

 

£1.7 billion!
wheres that come from


Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial developer, has announced that it is proud to support the government’s reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport in spring 2026 and the exciting tie up with Munich Airport International GmbH (MAI) as part of the £1.7bn south yorkshire Airport City initiative to boost the region’s logistics and supply chain infrastructure.

great - I hope that they are going to get their hand in their pocket!

 

£1.7 billion!
wheres that come from


Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial developer, has announced that it is proud to support the government’s reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport in spring 2026 and the exciting tie up with Munich Airport International GmbH (MAI) as part of the £1.7bn south yorkshire Airport City initiative to boost the region’s logistics and supply chain infrastructure.

This to me makes Ross Jones looks like she is desperate to spin anything positive now, to detract away from the bad press. In the Star story she goes on to say “Reopening our airport is my number one priority and today’s announcement is an important day for Doncaster having reached another significant milestone. This major announcement that I am making today enables us to press ahead with the necessary airport mobilisation activity to see the airport – which I proudly call the people’s airport – to reopen in Spring 2026.”

Why is a shed build by an independent developer who is not investing a penny into the airport a milestone? Unless I’m missing something.

 

This to me makes Ross Jones looks like she is desperate to spin anything positive now, to detract away from the bad press. In the Star story she goes on to say “Reopening our airport is my number one priority and today’s announcement is an important day for Doncaster having reached another significant milestone. This major announcement that I am making today enables us to press ahead with the necessary airport mobilisation activity to see the airport – which I proudly call the people’s airport – to reopen in Spring 2026.”

Why is a shed build by an independent developer who is not investing a penny into the airport a milestone? Unless I’m missing something.

It isn’t, it’s just tying anything that might be remotely close to the airport into some justification that the airport is creating investment and jobs. It’s not. Panattoni don’t care if there’s an airport there or not, most of the people who will buy the houses that Peel propose to build will probably not want an airport on the site. The proposed retail plaza would probably struggle with traffic as people use it as a drop off point rather than pay the fees that will inevitably be levied at the airport. None of it is predicated on an airport being there.

Just noise that plays into peoples hands. Wonder how much more money they’ll sneakily request in the next few months before the decision to grant Gainshare goes ahead? I suspect there will be more.

 

I imagine there will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth by customers using the airport when (IF) it opens, and they find they have to pay drop off charges they didn't pay before. With the debts this scheme is racking up, Fly Doncaster are going to have to make one hell of a lot of money from car parking this time around. Knowing how unpopular such charges are , the love affair with passengers may be tainted very quickly.

 

I imagine there will be much wailing and gnashing of teeth by customers using the airport when (IF) it opens, and they find they have to pay drop off charges they didn't pay before. With the debts this scheme is racking up, Fly Doncaster are going to have to make one hell of a lot of money from car parking this time around. Knowing how unpopular such charges are , the love affair with passengers may be tainted very quickly.

Oh yea. All those people who claim Peel ran it into the ground, they then say it was an award winning airport, best in the U.K. etc.. Where else would you hear that a business is best ever on the one have but on the other hand that the owners don’t know what they’re doing. Bizarre. So they’ll be expecting the same levels of service but a different outcome somehow.

 

Oh yea. All those people who claim Peel ran it into the ground, they then say it was an award winning airport, best in the U.K. etc.. Where else would you hear that a business is best ever on the one have but on the other hand that the owners don’t know what they’re doing. Bizarre. So they’ll be expecting the same levels of service but a different outcome somehow.

Best airport in the UK because check in was quick, security was quick and getting a pint was quick.. well why is that? passenger flow is minimal... Obviously its going to be a pleasant experience. But that backs up Peel's argument. not enough passengers/££

I recall someone saying that LBA is only UK airport they wont fly from because of the drop off charges (fail to acknowledge the free drop off at LBA ) because that goes against their narrative, then somebody asked them if they flown from other UK airports they said yes and proceeded to say there is drop charges at all of them.. no reply as you expect.

They also fail to mention LBA's new terminal extension opening Spring 2025, because again goes against the overcrowded nasty LBA that should be flattened (currently over 4M pax a year and growing). Ironic really.

Interesting the Ramada hotel apparently owned by Peel is up for sale, as usual the DSA supporters are putting a spin on it to fit the narrative. Why on early would Peel / anyone put up a hotel for sale with this fantastic new airport opening Spring 2026 with projections of 6 million passengers?

 

maybe this is the reason, this opens sooon and it is just to the rear of the airportl.

local are real happy peel are selling the hotel,

 

maybe this is the reason, this opens sooon and it is just to the rear of the airportl.

local are real happy peel are selling the hotel,

Of course they are. The locals have decided that Peel are to blame for the airports failure so want them gone completely. They forget that without a huge investment from Peel, there would never have been a DSA. It beggars belief that appatently sensible people would ever believe stories that Peel deliberately ran the airport down when all evidence says the opposite. Companies dont invest hundreds of millions in order to set them up to fail.

I'm afraid that the locals have allowed themselves to be duped completely into believing anti Peel rhetoric coming from the Mayor, councillors, a mechanic and others who frankly are talking total nonsense.

 

Of course they are. The locals have decided that Peel are to blame for the airports failure so want them gone completely. They forget that without a huge investment from Peel, there would never have been a DSA. It beggars belief that appatently sensible people would ever believe stories that Peel deliberately ran the airport down when all evidence says the opposite. Companies dont invest hundreds of millions in order to set them up to fail.

I'm afraid that the locals have allowed themselves to be duped completely into believing anti Peel rhetoric coming from the Mayor, councillors, a mechanic and others who frankly are talking total nonsense.

Peel have got themselves into quite a nice position. They’ve offloaded a loss leader onto the council with rent paid, gained bargaining power to push through their gateway east development and apparently have put the hotel up for sale in the hopes of making a quick buck.

It appears that the council are exploring the possibility of recouping airport losses from business rates on Gateway East. That’ll make it more attractive won’t it.

 

maybe this is the reason, this opens sooon and it is just to the rear of the airportl.

local are real happy peel are selling the hotel,

I’m not sure what that random picture you’ve attached is rabbit foot without and explanation. So if you could expand that would be great.

Surely this is a negative that peel are selling a hotel on this brand new fantastic 5m+ airport with flights from next spring no?

Whoever owns it or not would surely be throwing away a huge business potential / a lot of revenue when the airport reopens?

 

this is the reason they are happy

Doncaster school increases security after parents' concerns over asylum seekers in nearby hotel

A Doncaster school has stepped up security over parents’ concerns about asylum seekers at a nearby hotel – including reports of a youth speaking to pupils on the premises.

www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk

the hotel is at the bawtry golf complex , the other side of the runway

 

I’m not sure what that random picture you’ve attached is rabbit foot without and explanation. So if you could expand that would be great.

Surely this is a negative that peel are selling a hotel on this brand new fantastic 5m+ airport with flights from next spring no?

Whoever owns it or not would surely be throwing away a huge business potential / a lot of revenue when the airport reopens?

Like I say, airport ‘reopening’ means they are seeing if they can get rid of it amidst all this positive noise. Wonder if it’ll have any takers, maybe there’ll be smoother request from CDC for £2.9million soon due to an opportunity.

 

Bawtry Park Hotel | Bond Bryan

Creating inspiring places with sustainable legacies.

bondbryan.co.uk

its the other side of the runway

 

this is the reason they are happy

Doncaster school increases security after parents' concerns over asylum seekers in nearby hotel

A Doncaster school has stepped up security over parents’ concerns about asylum seekers at a nearby hotel – including reports of a youth speaking to pupils on the premises.

www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk

the hotel is at the bawtry golf complex , the other side of the runway

Wow, they’re so terrified of asylum seekers that they might as well have arrived from mars… What will they be like when all these flights from Doha, Dubai and Singapore and dare I say Islamabad start arriving with more different coloured people on board?

Culture shock. I really do despair. These will be the same mouth breathers who want are airport back so we can go to Benidorm without having to drive 60 minutes to get to the airport.

 

Bawtry Park Hotel | Bond Bryan

Creating inspiring places with sustainable legacies.

bondbryan.co.uk

its the other side of the runway

I think that says more about the people that live around Doncaster airport than anything else…….they are so enlighten and open minded……..

this is the reason they are happy

Doncaster school increases security after parents' concerns over asylum seekers in nearby hotel

A Doncaster school has stepped up security over parents’ concerns about asylum seekers at a nearby hotel – including reports of a youth speaking to pupils on the premises.

www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk

the hotel is at the bawtry golf complex , the other side of the runway

That article says more about they locals who live around DSA then anything else, so enlightened and accepting….No wonder Fletcher wears that MDGA hat…

 

That article says more about they locals who live around DSA then anything else, so enlightened and accepting….No wonder Fletcher wears that MDGA hat…

Meanwhile on Fletchers social media post about the airport, which in fairness is quite rightly asking for transparency, comments regarding the MAI involvement which appear to have been quiting an article that was not put out by MAI themselves but a random ‘airport news’ website that may not have English as its first language.

MAI themselves have posted the following on LinkedIn:

Our wholly owned consulting subsidiary Munich Airport International (MAI), will provide operational and management services to FlyDoncaster Ltd., the airport operator owned by the City of Doncaster Council. Together with FP Airports Ltd, a UK-based aviation specialist, MAI will help drive forward the reopening of the former Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) in spring 2026.

Lorenzo di Loreto, Managing Director Munich Airport International: "We are proud to be part of the reopening of DSA. We are committed to sharing our profound expertise to help develop DSA into a passenger friendly and competitive airport and an engine of social, economic and environmental growth for Doncaster and the wider region."

So that’s it, from the horses mouth, they link back to the CDC website announcement. The airport operator is FlyDoncaster and MAI will provide ‘operational and management services’. They are a consultancy with an operational and management arm that looks after 4 airports globally and all of them much larger and successful. They presumably provide ‘operational and management services’ to many more but these don’t appear to be listed. FP Airports are, as we have already discussed, a bunch of nobodies as far as aviation is concerned. Plymouth Airport is being built on so they weren’t even successful in their core mission. What they’ll bring to this I have no idea but it just adds fuel to the fire of the rumour regarding the less favourable outcomes of the consultants tasked with assessing viability for the council.