Doncaster Sheffield - General Thread

[Aviador]

Interestingly if you're new to the UK Airport Forum, we welcome any discussions that may counter claim peoples beliefs on here. Don't be put off responding. Everyone's opinions are respected here.

 

[yorkshire]

to be honest i thought it was a daft move to open another airport so close to leeds, hull and manchester, if sheffield failed a few years ago what made peel think dsa could make a go of it??

ive been looking at teletex and some days the arrivals at dsa or 3 or 4 , how can an airport manage on that?

 

[pug]

That is the problem, daily movements are being squeezed down to as you say, 3 or 4 some days. There is no real niche either i.e. HUY has around 8 daily movements plus charters but there are the helo's almost all the time during the week, plus eastern and still a number of GA movements.

I know DSA has Marshalls on site and a few bizjet movements but on the terminal side the catering outlets are barely open and when there is a flight sometimes dont even bother to open for them.

I do hope that now its here they can make something of it, aslong as it doesnt pull away from HUY LBA and EMA and creates its own market eventualy.

Quite clear to see that at the moment, DSA is the weaker of the four and is holding HUY back too... The loss of the DUB route is just not good and realy shows just how small the market for DSA realy is. It would take something rather drastic to change things around in my opinion, i know they may be in for the long term but at the same time so will EMA, LBA and hopefuly HUY.... That doesnt hold out much hope for DSA.

I also dont think SZD failed as such, it was doomed as soon as the council got fed up and sold it to Peel, i still think this was a discraceful waste of tax payers money and a complete insult to the people of Sheffield. Another reason DSA hasnt taken off, if pun intended.

 

[White Heather]

It is so quiet at DSA these days it is no surprise to keep reading these articles coming from Peel Holdings which are full of spin and often clearly targeting LBA. After all, most of the time they probably have nothing else to do but write articles based on their fantasies of becoming our new 'East of the pennines Manchester'!

My work colleague flew with Ryanair to Gerona from DSA a week ago. The flight was half empty, (on a Friday) and apart from the boarding passengers, the terminal was otherwise completely empty. They felt like they were disturbing the staff working there who just had the one flight to deal with and looked totally bored. There was only the FR 737 on the apron and nothing else scheduled for some considerable time. At least summer is coming so they will have a few TOM charters heading their way. Personally, I still think even those will see a further reduction over the next couple of years.

Putting it in perspective, LBA has 21 arrivals alone by Jet2 today (excluding positioning flights) and we are only in early April with many more routes not starting until May. I imagine DSA gets around 21 arrivals per WEEK!

It is nice to see that they have put CAT3 in though - no doubt they will now pick up even more Jet2 diverts from LBA when we are having our low cloud days. However, again, there is some element of spin, as not all aircraft are fitted with Cat 3 are they? So, for example, the Flybe Dash 400 will still divert in really poor weather - I am not sure what capability TOM and Wizz Air have, but isn't this is a serious amount of money invested in an airport that loses a fortune every year?

 

[pug]

Probably not the biggest of news items but FlyBE appear to have upped the frequency to Jersey this summer with 4 weekly flights from what was to be 2 i believe.

 

[White Heather]

Maybe Jersey is making a comeback as a holiday destinations, as I believe that Jet2 have also increased their flights to the island from LBA this summer.

 

[Aviador]

I suppose this has to be congratulated. For once the airport is attempting to attract services that it needs to be able to maintain before attempting to try to obtain the 'bigger' flights.

 

[pug]

Rumour has it that Ryanair are to pull out completely, ive just read it on the 'fraternity' leasantry: website but have also been told about it myself.

Dont shoot the messenger though.

 

[Aviador]

I wonder if Peel have a cut off point for Doncaster? Perhaps they'll just carry on ploughing money at it, who knows. You would think that soon or later Mr Peel will start asking "why is all my money draining away?"

 

[yorkshire]

well if ryan air pull out of dsa then i can see it being like sheffield, give it another 12 months or so.

 

[pug]

http://www.crainsmanchesterbusiness.co. ... 19974/1175

Not looking great for the Peel Airports subsidy is it?

 

[Aviador]

I'm not sure who would want to invest in an airport that is loosing money. Liverpool, maybe, but Doncaster NO.

 

[pug]

Airport looks to long-haul flights



« Previous « PreviousNext » Next »View GalleryPublished Date: 13 May 2009
By Staff Copy
BOSSES at Robin Hood Airport are in talks over a new Dublin link – which could open up South Yorkshire to long-haul flights.
Peel Airports hope to be able to make an announcement soon about an operator to fill the gap left by Ryanair, which pulled the plug on its Doncaster to Ireland service earlier this year because of a rise in airport charges in the Republic.

The fliADVERTISEMENTghts had been one of the most popular services from the airport.

It is understood if the deal can be sealed it will mean flights would leave from Doncaster to Dublin, with passengers then able to take a connection with a linked airline to destinations such as America or Asia.

News of the talks comes as the airport claimed public backing for its expansion plans following consultation on its development plan.

Director of strategic planning Peter Nears said: “We’re in discussions with an international operator about a possible Dublin link.

“It is an operator which has links with other international airlines, so it could mean a link up with long- haul flights. It is known as a codeshare arrangement, where you can book them together. It would open up Doncaster to long haul travel.

“We are also in discussion with long haul operators direct out of Robin Hood.”

The airport announced the results of its masaterplan consultation exercise yesterday, which showed a majority in favour of expansion plans put forward by the airport to accommodate forecast growth in passengers and freight through to 2030.

From sheffield star

I assume they mean Aer Lingus? I remember they had a daily operation out of LPL for the same purpose of feeder traffic and it didnt last long.

Notice they are STILL 'talking to long-haul airlines'.... Yawn

 

[pug]

But it also says destinations in America also. I remember the F50's of EI on services from LBA and they used to advertise flights from LBA-LAX/EWR on a through service via DUB...

I remember the LPL effort too though FR soon saw it off.

 

[pug]

That explains it then, thanks A-H. I would assume that if they do take on the flight that it would likely start on or around the last day of FR DUB flights. The only thing is that HUY's was dropped and though even management were confident of RE taking over, they never did.

Seems to me RE only take on routes where there has been a dispute and FR have pulled out altogether (BLK, CWL) so im 50/50 on this one, i have serious doubts whether FR would have pulled the route had it gained sufficient revenue for them, i see it more as using charges as a scapegoat for dropping unprofitable routes. Also RE would be charging considerably more for their service too which is worth bearing in mind.

 

[pug]

Does this sound familiar?

Yangyang International is an airport looking for a reason to exist. Built on South Korea's east coast just seven years ago, you won't find any delays or long queues here. In fact, you won't find any passengers at all.

The initial vision could not have been more different.

Up to three million people a year were meant to throng the gleaming floors of the departure and arrival halls, built at a cost of almost $400m (£260m).

But last year an average of just 26 passengers a day came through the doors, vastly outnumbered by the 146 airport staff on hand to serve them.

In November the last commercial flight took off, and the terminal became what the Korean national press has dubbed a "ghost airport", an impressive monument to overestimated demand.

But it is not an isolated example.

Empty spaces

In fact, if there was to be an award for the world's quietest international airports, South Korea would surely be one of the favourites.



Politicians, in order to gain votes, promise their constituents an airport

Choi In-wook
Korean Citizens Action Network
At the other end of the country from Yangyang, way down in the south-west, is the even newer Muan International Airport.

It opened less than two years ago, and although a handful of flights do at least land there, the terminal is struggling.

Built amidst the surrounding onion fields, it looks an unlikely spot for a thriving airport, and the scene inside is, once again, one of empty check-in desks and empty spaces.

Figures for last year show passenger levels at less than 3% of capacity.

"It might be better if it was used a bit more," said one passenger I spoke to, part of a group of Korean tourists preparing to catch one of only two flights leaving that day.

"But having said that," she added, "it is nice to come to an airport that isn't busy for a change."

Vanishing demand

As elsewhere, the project was meant to be a boost for the local economy, bringing in visitors, and connecting the local economy with the wider world.

But the region's farmers and fishermen may now wonder if it was a worthwhile investment.

South Korea has a total of 14 regional airports. Figures show that 11 of them lost money last year.

What should have been the 15th, another new east-coast airport, already more than 80% complete, has been suspended because of lack of demand.

And there is currently an ongoing debate about the wisdom of the plans to build yet one more, somewhere near the southern port city of Busan.

One reason for the lack of demand for air travel may be the simultaneous development of a high-speed rail link that now whisks travellers from one end of the country to the other in less than three hours, as well as the construction of a network of new motorways.

'Political logic'

Local airports have been built by "political rather than market logic", according to one newspaper.

The Korean Citizens' Action Network, an organisation that monitors government spending, claims that hundreds of millions of dollars have been wasted on terminals and runways that simply are not needed.



Yanyang airport was built at a cost of almost $400m
"Politicians, in order to gain votes, promise their constituents an airport," said spokesman Choi In-wook.

"Rather than checking the need thoroughly, the feasibility studies can be distorted to support the projects, and as a result there is an oversupply of airports in this country." Could not the case be made, though, that some of today's under-used airports may turn out to have a long-term future?

"Maybe," he said. "If they honestly forecast that there would be large, initial losses for a long-term strategic benefit, then fair enough. But from the beginning the feasibility reports are inaccurate, so no one knows the true prospects." Both the government and the Korea Airports Corporation, the body that manages the regional airports, refused the BBC's request for an interview.

There are those, like the staff at Yangyang airport, who do indeed believe that they may still find a profitable future for their terminal.

But it is the views of the passengers that really matter - and for now, they are voting with their feet.

Source; BBC

I know its thousands of miles away, publicly funded and they seem to have less flights than DSA.

It seems that the issues are similar.

Overly exaggerated growth potential, the need to lessen the pressure on London airports (which can only be resolved by investing in London airports) and the big runway for long-haul therefore economic prosperity were the key reasons for DSA to go ahead. Plus letters of support from a large portion of locals made it easy to push through.

 

[Aviador]

That's a corker Pug.
The resemblance is definately similar to an airport closer to home.

 

[Aviador]

Airport looks to long-haul flights

BOSSES at Robin Hood Airport are in talks over a new Dublin link – which could open up South Yorkshire to long-haul flights.

Peel Airports hope to be able to make an announcement soon about an operator to fill the gap left by Ryanair, which pulled the plug on its Doncaster to Ireland service earlier this year because of a rise in airport charges in the Republic.

The flights had been one of the most popular services from the airport.

It is understood if the deal can be sealed it will mean flights would leave from Doncaster to Dublin, with passengers then able to take a connection with a linked airline to destinations such as America or Asia.

News of the talks comes as the airport claimed public backing for its expansion plans following consultation on its development plan.

Director of strategic planning Peter Nears said: “We’re in discussions with an international operator about a possible Dublin link.

“It is an operator which has links with other international airlines, so it could mean a link up with long- haul flights. It is known as a codeshare arrangement, where you can book them together. It would open up Doncaster to long haul travel.

“We are also in discussion with long haul operators direct out of Robin Hood.”

The airport announced the results of its masaterplan consultation exercise yesterday, which showed a majority in favour of expansion plans put forward by the airport to accommodate forecast growth in passengers and freight through to 2030.

Source

 

[Aviador]

I assume the airline in question is Aer Lingus?

 

[Aviador]

Plans for radar tower

A COMPANY set to build a controversial windfarm near an Isle village has applied for permission to construct a radar tower to safeguard air traffic.

Renewable Energy Systems (RES) recently submitted a planning application to North Lincolnshire Council (NLC) for permission to erect the tower on land at Hibaldstow, south of Scunthorpe.

The company received the green light to build up to 34 turbiADVERTISEMENTnes at Keadby after a lengthy public inquiry last year - despite protests from both the council and many residents.

Opponents of the proposed windfarm are worried the giant turbines could interfere with air traffic control equipment at Doncaster/Sheffield (Robin Hood) Airport.

Robin Hood spokesman, Robin Tudor, confirmed RES was working alongside the airport to satisfy conditions of their planning consent.

"This will include the development of an additional radar to mitigate the impact of wind turbines on the existing radar," he added. "Though still in the early stages of the project both the Airport and the developers are confident that this project will allow both the developers and aviation at Doncaster/Sheffield Airport to co-exist in harmony without compromising safety."

RES project manager Tom Fewster confirmed the company is seeking planning permission for a new radar tower.

He said: "The radar will comply with a condition of the consent for Keadby Windfarm. We expect a decision to be reached on this application by the end July."

The consultation period for the application ended on Tuesday.

Meanwhile council planners are looking at a resubmitted traffic plan from RES following a wave of protests over fears the company was planning to transport turbines through villages such as Ealand.

Over 600 protest letters were sent to NLC over the original plan but the council's service director, Geoff Popple, said officers were looking at the new version.

He added: "We want to see if it raises the issues we asked of them. We want a little bit more evidence about why they dismissed other forms of transport such as rail and canal networks."

Mr Fewster added: "RES has submitted further information to North Lincolnshire Council to enable them to further assess the traffic management plan and we are awaiting the outcome of that assessment."

Source