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...?

 

I meant a General Election, if Reform are in government, there won't be any invites

I know, but I think this is purely another ‘Chuck a bucket of good news at the fire’ exercise. Why would you invite a bloke who’s used questionable tactics at times to push for a reopened airport at any cost when the airport hasn’t even reopened yet?

Meanwhile I see Ros Jones has hailed the latest batch of recruitment as another milestone as they continue to reopen the airport. However, true to form she has been called out for deleting replies from people who used to work there in professional capacities, they appear to be questioning the consultants that have been appointed (whoda thunk it?) and saying that it’s becoming a laughing stock. It’s very similar to what I’ve heard from elsewhere alas undocumented so you could call it hearsay.

 

They seem to be employing long term unemployed at the expense of experience ATC, will take years to train them

 

They seem to be employing long term unemployed at the expense of experience ATC, will take years to train them

They’re taking people transitioning from the military who will need thousands investing in training and certification to civilian standards. Could speculate as to why they’ve decided to do this, but it’s a bizarre choice when they have experienced people on their doorstep who are keen to return and who have that relationship with the CAA to carry across.

 

but it’s a bizarre choice when they have experienced people on their doorstep who are keen to return and who have that relationship with the CAA to carry across.

Local ATC currently experienced on the doorstep????..I don't think so, what have they been doing then since it closed??

 

Local ATC currently experienced on the doorstep????..I don't think so, what have they been doing then since it closed??

Presumably working for one of the other local airports, some are commenting on Ros Jones Facebook post and it has also been confirmed by @radar who is in a position to know this stuff.

Whether we agree with the airport being a success or not, they clearly want to go back to the place they happily worked. They may even be prepared to take a pay cut to do this. So to be cut off from even getting an interview seems crazy to me.

 

Presumably working for one of the other local airports, some are commenting on Ros Jones Facebook post and it has also been confirmed by @radar who is in a position to know this stuff.

Whether we agree with the airport being a success or not, they clearly want to go back to the place they happily worked. They may even be prepared to take a pay cut to do this. So to be cut off from even getting an interview seems crazy to me.

Sorry but what seems crazy to me is to go back to
, no doubt, where they were happy..what 6 flights a shift on a busy day??...they are all intelligent people in ATCO..they know it cannot last..If they have reasonably local employment, then why would they compromise that for a political lottery...what you suggest makes no sense

 

Sorry but what seems crazy to me is to go back to
, no doubt, where they were happy..what 6 flights a shift on a busy day??...they are all intelligent people in ATCO..they know it cannot last..If they have reasonably local employment, then why would they compromise that for a political lottery...what you suggest makes no sense

A few of them were under what I understand to be the misapprehension that Peel had done a dirty on the place. Putting myself in their shoes it’s understandable to feel that way when the rug is pulled, by many accounts it was a good place to work (which alone doesn’t scream mismanagement!) and the people at the coal face genuinely believed it had potential. Problem is that commercial matters often pass them by and so they had an excellent facility that was costing the owners far too much money to maintain!

There’s no doubt a large number of ex workers still believe there’s some unmet potential that wasn’t realised under Peel. I fundamentally disagree and I would be cautious if I were considering giving up stable employment elsewhere to get involved with this shower, but that’s just me.

 

They seem to be employing long term unemployed at the expense of experience ATC, will take years to train them

Long term planning as they know the airport won't be opening for years if at all.

 

They’re taking people transitioning from the military who will need thousands investing in training and certification to civilian standards. Could speculate as to why they’ve decided to do this, but it’s a bizarre choice when they have experienced people on their doorstep who are keen to return and who have that relationship with the CAA to carry across.

The majority appear to be students or long term unemployed people, judging by the successful applicants, with no aviation background whatsoever, they applied for the ATC and were offered significantly lower salaries to join an ATC training programme over 2 years

 

The majority appear to be students or long term unemployed people, judging by the successful applicants, with no aviation background whatsoever, they applied for the ATC and were offered significantly lower salaries to join an ATC training programme over 2 years

Would love to know the T&C's how on earth does CDC think thats a good idea instead of people with knowledge and experience.. the circus, well.. continues.

 

They seem to be employing long term unemployed at the expense of experience ATC, will take years to train them

Perhaps they are putting them on a crash course!!!

 

The majority appear to be students or long term unemployed people, judging by the successful applicants, with no aviation background whatsoever, they applied for the ATC and were offered significantly lower salaries to join an ATC training programme over 2 years

If that is the case I’d like to see how that goes down with the regulator!

 

If that is the case I’d like to see how that goes down with the regulator!

Or perhaps the Air Accidents Investigation Branch....

Seriously though, having a majority of inexperienced controllers doesn't sound great. I'm sure the training is excellent, and those that do qualify would be well capable, but in a high pressure, extremely high stress job like that you want a healthy mix of experience to support newer staff when things get tricky. Not that I expect it will probably ever get to the point where they are put to the test at DSA. But if by some act from the gods DSA became commercially active, you want experience in the tower and at the screens.

 

Or perhaps the Air Accidents Investigation Branch....

Seriously though, having a majority of inexperienced controllers doesn't sound great. I'm sure the training is excellent, and those that do qualify would be well capable, but in a high pressure, extremely high stress job like that you want a healthy mix of experience to support newer staff when things get tricky. Not that I expect it will probably ever get to the point where they are put to the test at DSA. But if by some act from the gods DSA became commercially active, you want experience in the tower and at the screens.

I’ve a feeling that if what @Egyptian King is saying is correct, then this will be politically motivated - I.e ‘we’re providing unrivalled opportunities for the long term unemployed to learn a highly technical skill, if you stop us from reopening you are preventing people having these opportunities’. I do feel that even the council wouldn’t be that stupid, but as this project is becoming a parody of itself I wouldn’t put it past them.

I do trust what was posted on Facebook by an ex TWR controller at DSA, that they’re recruiting military controllers and funding the training for commercial licences. I notice these posts have now been removed completely from Ros Jones Facebook post after some initially having been deleted but the same people commented again. Those have now also disappeared. Meanwhile the mechanic gets invited for cucumber sandwiches - I’d much rather see such platitudes offered to people who spend their time working hard for charitable causes personally.

 

The problem is that the politicians saw an easy chance to keep their snouts in the trough..They'd have signed anything to get that advantage..Peel were 10 steps ahead of them..None of the politicians knew the first thing about running a private business and thus it has proved...They are now realising that, apart from the Mechanic, you cant fool all the people even most of the time..

 

The problem is that the politicians saw an easy chance to keep their snouts in the trough..They'd have signed anything to get that advantage..Peel were 10 steps ahead of them..None of the politicians knew the first thing about running a private business and thus it has proved...They are now realising that, apart from the Mechanic, you cant fool all the people even most of the time..

Expect this afternoon Ros Jones and the execs will be pulling out all the stops to ensure their processes are water tight from a political POV so as to prevent any growing dissent within the elected council from being able to influence any change.

It all seems to be laid out in the agenda what the opposition are asking for:

Agenda for Council on Friday, 6th March, 2026, 2.00 pm - Modern Council

Meanwhile Ros Jones has been directly quoted:

“I think that you are actually a disgrace to come up with such as that when we’ve continued to maintain the best possible services, efficiently and effectively run. You may put out a few potholes, you forget to say about the 14-years of austerity.“

Mayor Ros Jones backtracks after appearing to call Reform UK leader ‘a disgrace’

Mayor Ros Jones has backtracked after appearing to call the Reform UK group leader a “disgrace” during a council meeting.

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk

I can’t disagree about Regurge, but much like Christian Foster, she’s not been gifted the ability to make much sense (or convince people of any intelligence) when she talks!

 

Constant posts around jobs in the airport just now. I do think it’s to try and ensure it opens, otherwise we lose all of these jobs. What I don’t understand, is if they are not flying until end 2028, what are all these people doing

Lee pitcher post below:
Momentum continues to build as we move towards reopening Doncaster Sheffield Airport with a new wave of jobs now live.

City of Doncaster Council has launched several new vacancies, including:

Head of Air Traffic Services
Senior Air Traffic Controller & Air Traffic Controllers
Watch Managers – Fire & Rescue Service
Security Team Roles
Airfield Project Manager
Facilities and Landside Roles

These roles are a crucial step in rebuilding the airport’s operational team as activity ramps up on site. Around 40 staff are already working at the airport, with plans to grow to around 200 jobs by the end of 2026.

 

Constant posts around jobs in the airport just now. I do think it’s to try and ensure it opens, otherwise we lose all of these jobs. What I don’t understand, is if they are not flying until end 2028, what are all these people doing

Lee pitcher post below:
Momentum continues to build as we move towards reopening Doncaster Sheffield Airport with a new wave of jobs now live.

City of Doncaster Council has launched several new vacancies, including:

Head of Air Traffic Services
Senior Air Traffic Controller & Air Traffic Controllers
Watch Managers – Fire & Rescue Service
Security Team Roles
Airfield Project Manager
Facilities and Landside Roles

These roles are a crucial step in rebuilding the airport’s operational team as activity ramps up on site. Around 40 staff are already working at the airport, with plans to grow to around 200 jobs by the end of 2026.

It’s to create a point of no return, but also to show the CAA that they’re serious.

I note that Regurge sent a couple of their people over to Peel HQ in Salford last week to discuss the lease, they appear to have done this without the cooperation of the Cabal. Not sure how that might have gone down or what may have been said, funnily enough nobody has actually mentioned that bit.

Fridays ECM appears to have gone through as ‘noted’, in other words ‘we note what you’ve said but are carrying on anyway’. Seems that any further discussions relating to the lease will be completed away from public gaze. Meanwhile the extraordinary audit committee meeting has been pushed back to the 31st March, convenient?

 

Ros Jones has issued another statement on her Faceache tonight.

Business Advisory Group Finds Out More About Opportunities at Doncaster Sheffield Airport

A new Business Advisory Group has found out more about future opportunities at Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) and how local businesses could benefit.

I set up the Mayoral Business Advisory Group last October to bring together local business leaders to provide practical insight, guidance, and challenge on the city’s key economic priorities.

Its focus at its latest meeting was on the opportunities that a reopened airport could bring local companies and suppliers.

The meeting heard more about how the council procures goods and services and local business engagement around these opportunities. It was explained that these processes would be in place for the airport, and a discussion also took place on how businesses could benefit from supply chain activity around the wider Gateway East development, which covers 1,760 acres around the airport site. The meeting was particularly focused on small and medium businesses known as SMEs.

Business leaders also heard about the creation of a new local supplier directory to raise awareness of local companies and the goods and services they provide.

FlyDoncaster, the council-owned company set up to run the airport, will procure services through Doncaster Council’s well-established procurement processes and local suppliers are being urged to find out more by visiting the dedicated procurement information.

Mayor Ros Jones said: “I want as many local Doncaster companies as possible to benefit from the airport reopening and be part of its future story. The council awards around 70 per cent of its contracts to Doncaster-based companies and there will be future opportunities for local businesses to throw their hat into the ring.

“The airport and the wider Gateway East project will provide a significant economic boost for our city and the wider region and I want as many local businesses to have that opportunity too.”

Group members discussed how the council can increase visibility of council procurement opportunities amongst local SMEs, including a greater use of technology, as well as the support required for local businesses to enable them to be successful in securing council contracts.

Dan Fell, Chair of the Mayor’s Business Advisory Group and CEO of Doncaster Chamber, said: “Members of the Mayor’s Business Advisory Group were heartened by the determination of the mayor and her senior officers to engage South Yorkshire businesses in the supply chain for the region’s airport. The clock, however, is already ticking, with cargo flights due to recommence in 2027 and passenger flights in 2028; local businesses are understandably anxious to know exactly when and how they can register their interest in supplying to DSA.

“Given that some SMEs may need to diversify or build capacity to meet the needs of the airport, Business Advisory Group members urged the Council to move quickly to ensure South Yorkshire businesses are equitably sighted on these emerging opportunities and well-placed to access them. As such, I am delighted that a Meet the Buyer event is being prepared for the Spring, so watch this space. I urge local businesses to attend.”

A series of communications and events are planned in the Spring to raise awareness of the supply chain opportunities associated with the airport reopening project. The input from the Mayoral Business Advisory Group will help shape the council’s approach to SME Procurement through FlyDoncaster.

#DoncasterIsGreat #Delivering4Doncaster

I assume we’ll be seeing a local business caller ‘Donny Airways’ being announced soon to operate from DSA

Anyway it seems this has been announced to distract from the apparent ‘chaos’ at the ECM on Friday.

Council EGM falls into chaos as Reform UK make false allegations of officers

An extraordinary meeting of the City of Doncaster Council descended into chaos as Reform UK wrongly claimed senior staff had changed a motion relating to Doncaster Sheffield Airport and its agreed lease, without the permission of the motion proposer.

www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk

 

Ros Jones has issued another statement on her Faceache tonight.



I assume we’ll be seeing a local business caller ‘Donny Airways’ being announced soon to operate from DSA

Anyway it seems this has been announced to distract from the apparent ‘chaos’ at the ECM on Friday.

Council EGM falls into chaos as Reform UK make false allegations of officers

An extraordinary meeting of the City of Doncaster Council descended into chaos as Reform UK wrongly claimed senior staff had changed a motion relating to Doncaster Sheffield Airport and its agreed lease, without the permission of the motion proposer.

www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk

Sums up CDC, and the Regurge Party.