Doncaster Sheffield - General Thread

[lysander]

Out of the three airports in the Peel group taken over by Vantage that leaves just the "jewel" left.

 

[Carnage]

Pretty obvious they see no future for DSA

 

[stars&sids]

Pretty obvious they see no future for DSA

More like they weren't prepared to stick around for the long haul & wait for profitability. Vantage group's investment in DSA over the last few years was conspicuous by its absence - hardly what we were led to believe when they signed up. First they ditch Teeside, now Doncaster, leaving only Liverpool, which, coincidentally has just started turning a profit. It seems that the Canadian backers hadn't reckoned on our recession lasting this long.
If you want to take a positive out of this, it's that Steve Gill has chosen to stay here, despite having the option of going over to Vantage, and DSA will now be run as a standalone concern, without the constraints of sharing marketing etc with LPL. In short, the airport operating company does whats best for DSA now, not the group as a whole. The airport is also recruiting again, with an ad on the RHADS jobs page for another Airport Duty Manager, so all in all, this might not be as bad as it first looked, but could actually be a step forward.

 

[Aviador]

I thought Vantage Group was a Canadian pension fund? I must admit, I wouldn't want to invest my pension in any airport these days, not just DSA.

 

[stars&sids]

Sorry, should have put Vantage AIRPORT Group. Can't be mixed up with all the other companies who are called ' Vantage' then !

 

[lysander]

One of the many complaints I have heard ,over the years, about DSA is it's lack of advertising...especially in its own back yard!.... I have yet to see anything in Sheffield and we are, supposedly, a key market! Employing just over 80 ( according to the last accounts) staffing levels must be tight, to say the least...and with net liabilities of £85 million Peel will need to have deep pockets!

 

[pug]

It would be interesting to see the whole site revert back under the DSA operating company. That way they will be able to offer subsidies to attract and retain traffic.

It is, afterall, about the whole package and not just the runway and terminal. Having been down there recently for the first time since it opened, its quite impressive how much has been developed.

 

[lysander]

I doubt that Peel would want their ( hopefully) profitable Business Park, with its land bank and other developments openly subsidising their loss-making airport business. I seem to remember that the MoD placed a covenant on the land when they sold it to Peel . From memory this restricts the transfer of title, for a number of years after purchase....Perhaps then we might see some real changes?

 

[stars&sids]

DSA are advertising 2 more positions recently, a Marketing & PR assistant, and an Air Services Supervisor.
http://www.robinhoodairport.com/jobs/86 ... rport.html

 

[pug]

Interesting that one will also be responsible for MME, does that mean Peel Investments own DSA?

 

[stars&sids]

Yes Peel do own DSA, as Peel Holdings. There is still some crossover of staff with MME, but no involment with LPL now, which is part of the VantageAirport Group.

 

[pug]

However surely Peel Investments are a semi autonamous operation? The news article said it has been taken over by the Peel Group..

 

[lysander]

Interestingly, the Peel Group ,as a separate entity, doesn't exist. Peel Holdings, Peel Leisure, Peel Investments... ad nauseum... They have plenty of companies including a new "Peel Airports" which was only formed on 17/12/12 out of Peel Investments ( Peel Airports ) Ltd.

A PhD could be awarded for a thesis on the "Peel Group".

 

[lysander]

In a new business periodical dedicated to the Sheffield City Region the Airport is claiming that 2013 will be "their year". With passengers at an all time low and freight....despite a 400% increase...at just 25% of the 2007 total...there is plenty of room for improvement. Let's hope a few extra year round services!

 

[lysander]

February saw all records broken for the wrong reasons...lowest passenger total ever!

 

[wawkrk]

I remember when DSA first opened, there were loads of stories about about jumbos etc. flying all over the place. Those involved at the time were saying DSA had longest runway in the country etc which of course is nonsense. They believed is was enough for DSA to just wave it's big willy and the airlines would flock to DSA.
There must have been no aviation professionals involved at time as most people would have known, people make airports not runways.
A certain magazine was convinced at the time. I wrote to them and expressed the views above, of course, nobody agreed with with me as they were all wrapped up in the euphoria.

wawkrk

 

[lysander]

Many experts at the Public Enquiry raised doubts about DSA achieving its targets. After the initial euphoria when some enthusiasts were anticipating a South Yorkshire MAN results seem to vindicate what many of the opposing experts predicted. There is a covenant on the land which expires in another 7 years time. We might then see some dramatic changes if it continues to under perform. Let's hope by then it has found a successful niche in the market and that all of its early promise is fulfilled.

 

[lysander]

The June CAA passenger stats still haven't been released. Have they been this late before?

 

[muddycoffee]

I'm looking to resurrect my PAX table, I haven't attended to it for a while. I hear the grumblings above about the low passenger numbers, but I have always regularly looked at the daily Arrivals and Departures and there does seem to be plenty of movements.
There is currently 9 arrivals and 9 departures showing.

 

[Aviador]

Hi muddycoffee, good to have you back with us.

What really matters is the flights Doncaster does have go out full especially at the time of the year. If flights are going out quiet in July and August, that's when you start to worry.