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...?

 

Sounds like Gainshare funding isn’t going to be confirmed at all, or at least nowhere near the required amount, hence the sudden interest in getting the UK Government to pay.

It’s being kicked down the road to give CDC time to soften up the Government, and so that it’s not a controversial topic during the local elections - they can bat away any questions with ‘due diligence’ waffle.

Makes you wonder then how long MAI will want to be associated with it? They won’t be doing anything for free, but u expect they still aren’t exactly signed and sealed yet because there is no confirmation that the airport is reopening? Maybe some of that recently awarded £20 million has gone towards paying for their services?

It seems to have quietened down a little, even Chadwick hasn’t been posting much and the latest YP article didn’t exactly inspire confidence in his group. I note someone asking again when flights will go on sale because they’re holding off until then for next year. Not a way to win consumer confidence and I bet TUI won’t be happy with locals holding off from booking anything.,

 

Isn't the idea of Tui returning just wishful thinking anyway. I feel it has just been assumed to be honest.

 

Isn't the idea of Tui returning just wishful thinking anyway. I feel it has just been assumed to be honest.

They’ve apparently been quite positive towards the reopening and have ‘expressed an interest’ in returning. I know that doesn’t equate to guarantees but it’s what Christian Foster has been saying. Again there’s a lot of naive assumptions like the one about needing 4 or 5 airlines which suggested Peel didn’t want that which is a bizarre conclusion just by looking at the previous operation, but they won’t look at the previous operation for some reason.

 

Woke up this morning and the first post on the DSA page was the Heathrow fire and some moron posting trying to justify DSA reopening so they could help out..

you cant help but laugh

 

Woke up this morning and the first post on the DSA page was the Heathrow fire and some moron posting trying to justify DSA reopening so they could help out..

you cant help but laugh

Are you sure DSA could just help out. Aren't most of the Heathrow flight rightfully theirs anyway.

 

Woke up this morning and the first post on the DSA page was the Heathrow fire and some moron posting trying to justify DSA reopening so they could help out..

you cant help but laugh

‘We need it cos weather at other airports’

‘We need it cos military’

‘We need it in case a fire in an electricity sub station causes Heathrow to close’.

 

Woke up this morning and the first post on the DSA page was the Heathrow fire and some moron posting trying to justify DSA reopening so they could help out..

you cant help but laugh

Totally clueless- even the mechanic is jumping on the bandwagon…….they fail to recognise the lack of stands, facilities, staff, airline operation etc etc would mean DSA would only be able to handle a minuscule amount of any diverts from LHR….add to the fact it’s easier for airlines to just cancel flights so they don’t end up with crew and aircraft all over. It makes restarting ops far easier with less disruption….
Every post made in that Facebook group shows just how naive they are about the industry…….

 

Most flights turned back and returned to their original destinations, looks like their is not much more to come/divert, I don't think in the end their was as much as their could of been!

 

I think you are all being unkind. Think of the possibilities, a flight from Hong Kong or LA gets diverted to Doncaster and all those business people disembarking would be blown away by the facilities at DSA, the super long runway, its close proximity to a branch railway line, the A1(M) & M18, and of course, .... erm Doncaster and some fields. They'd be surely straight on their phones back to HQ to contact CDC about some new multi-billion dollar investments...

<cough><splutter>

Sorry, don't know what happened there, must have had a brain glitch..

 

As a local to the airport and a realist, the comments on Chadwick’s page are so embarrassing. I promise some of us in the area are intelligent. It’s fine to have the selfish passion to use all of Doncaster’s gainshare funding reopening a failed airport if that’s your way of funding but it’s just ridiculous to spout off that DSA has any facilities that could really help in a situation like this. I’m not in the aviation industry but even someone like me with zero knowledge can see it makes more sense for airlines to turn their planes around back to their place of origin.

 

As a local to the airport and a realist, the comments on Chadwick’s page are so embarrassing. I promise some of us in the area are intelligent. It’s fine to have the selfish passion to use all of Doncaster’s gainshare funding reopening a failed airport if that’s your way of funding but it’s just ridiculous to spout off that DSA has any facilities that could really help in a situation like this. I’m not in the aviation industry but even someone like me with zero knowledge can see it makes more sense for airlines to turn their planes around back to their place of origin.

There is someone posting on their who probably thinks he knows loads cos he used to be a nav at RAF Finningley (or something) who clearly has no clue how airlines react to such events. The very first thing they do is try to get to the destination because they know they have the facilities to be handled. Secondly they will go to a station where they also already operate, that might be someone nowhere near the destination and could even be their airport of origin. Then you might get a couple into a.n. other airport if you really have to, but it won’t help having assets dispersed around airports that do not feature on the network as it throws the operation right off.

So if DSA was open it would NOT be handling anything resulting from this event at LHR today.

 

Woke up this morning and the first post on the DSA page was the Heathrow fire and some moron posting trying to justify DSA reopening so they could help out..

you cant help but laugh

That was to be expected!

 

Kate Willard has left her post at Teesside Airport, potential headhunt for Doncaster Sheffield Airport

 

Kate Willard has left her post at Teesside Airport, potential headhunt for Doncaster Sheffield Airport

Hardly a clinch if they headhunted her. Only really airport experience is with Stobart at Carlisle which is once again closed to passengers, and Teesside which Mayor Houchen seems to want to ensure stays a basket case - incidentally this may be why she’s partying company with them if you are correct, more people to follow I expect. Phil Forster might be a better MD if they get it to reopen, he’s ex LBA and may understand the market better cos that’s what it’ll need if it were to have any chance of success.

Getting our airport ready to reopen in Spring 2026!

It's been an incredibly busy week at Doncaster Airport, with visits from Munich Airport leadership & UK Government officials.

In the words of Dr Lutz Weisser (MAI Managing Director), "It may need some renovation, and recertification is important, but it is all in place. It just needs a bit of polishing and then you have an airport and that is exciting."

We have commenced mobilization activity on site and works will be progressing over the coming months including maintenance works and buying equipment the needed to run the Airport.

We are currently in discussions with airlines and interested businesses alongside working with the Civil Aviation Authority and Department for Transport to secure our airspace.

I would like to thank the residents and businesss of Doncaster and beyond for their continued support as we work to #SaveDSA and reopen our airport, especially Mark Chadwick #saveDSA SAVE Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

#DoncasterIsGreat #Delivering4Doncaster

The latest ‘update’ from Ros Jones. Regurgitating an old statement by MAI.

 

Reform's Alex Jones said he would demand that Oliver gives him the entire funds he needs for the airport or he will block business starting with the tram.
He says he would be tough will council leaders in Sheffield and he will fight Oliver for funding.

He will renegotiate the lease with Peel, threatening to withdraw planning.

 

Reform's Alex Jones said he would demand that Oliver gives him the entire funds he needs for the airport or he will block business starting with the tram.
He says he would be tough will council leaders in Sheffield and he will fight Oliver for funding.

He will renegotiate the lease with Peel, threatening to withdraw planning.

Sounds like he needs to freshen up on planning laws. Is he related to Donald Trump by any chance?

 

Reform's Alex Jones said he would demand that Oliver gives him the entire funds he needs for the airport or he will block business starting with the tram.
He says he would be tough will council leaders in Sheffield and he will fight Oliver for funding.

He will renegotiate the lease with Peel, threatening to withdraw planning.

Why has Ros Jones issued a reactive post saying he’s not mentioned the airport at all?

If Reform are elected the wafer thin case to reopen the airport will crumble. There’s no way he’d win a case against Peel by being planning regs as ammunition.

Below is Ros Jones lying to the electorate. The reason the agreement wasn’t reached was because Peel couldn’t provide evidence that the airport would become profitable and therefore it was deemed a high risk investment of public cash. This was minuted on SYMCA website but any mention of the decision has been removed.

The Gentleman Fishmonger that's not correct, in fact as co-chair of the Business and Growth Board we agreed to provide the loan in exchange for an equity stake, subject to submission of financial accounts and due diligence, this remained on the table throughout.

Robert Hough, DSA MD made it quite clear upon the conclusion of their strategic review back in 2022 that DMBC (CDC) and SYMCA were provided with regular appraisals as to the financial challenges of DSA for. Period of two years prior to the July 2022 public announcement that the airport was to be the focus of a strategic review.

https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/30180/documents/174877/default/

These people knew that the airport was a basket case then. They failed to act. They know that reopening the airport will be a monumental risk to the public purse and continue to spin a positive narrative which is designed purely to mislead the public, all for political capital, fragile egos, and nothing more.

 

Reform's Alex Jones said he would demand that Oliver gives him the entire funds he needs for the airport or he will block business starting with the tram.
He says he would be tough will council leaders in Sheffield and he will fight Oliver for funding.

He will renegotiate the lease with Peel, threatening to withdraw planning.

Sounds like he needs to freshen up on planning laws. Is he related to Donald Trump by any chance?

Being Reform they are not just related, but actually joined at the hip....

Perhaps his thinking is to take the Trump model and not only build the airport but a whole new resort, a Doncaster Riviera or Las Doncaster. Then top rollers from all over the world can fly directly into Doncaster International Airport, and walk straight into the hotels and casinos (until the casinos file for bankruptcy of course)....

Seriously though, can you imagine trying to hold the whole of South Yorkshire hostage so they can tip all the money down the DSA money pit. What an idiot!

 

Just found this more detailed letter from John Whittaker to Huw Merrimen MP putting him straight on some things;

https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/28739/documents/173149/default/

Some quite candid info in there.

VAS were intending to put DSA into administration before Peel took it back. That’s Peel not wanting the airport to close.

As said in my previous post, SYMCA had been aware of the financial struggles of the airport in 2021 and refused to enter an equity or loan agreement on that back of this after they (and the SYMCA financial advisors) reached the same conclusion as Peel that the airport wasn’t viable. No wonder SYMCA refuse to answer the various FOI requests pertaining to this, along with removing any trace of the final decision from their website.

The cargo airline mentioned by the unnamed ‘senior manager’ in the Yorkshire business insider article a few weeks ago apparently decided not to pursue their proposal to establish a network from DSA. So it clearly wasn’t close to being a done deal as alluded to.

Ryanair and Easyjet couldn’t attract enough passenger traffic and business users accounted for just 3% of total users.

Of course the people who support reopening the airport would say ‘well he would say that, wouldn’t he’. Really he has no need to set the record straight, but has done so anyway. That is him on record setting it straight, I challenge Ros Jones to respond to this.

 

Just found this more detailed letter from John Whittaker to Huw Merrimen MP putting him straight on some things;

https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/28739/documents/173149/default/

Some quite candid info in there.

VAS were intending to put DSA into administration before Peel took it back. That’s Peel not wanting the airport to close.

As said in my previous post, SYMCA had been aware of the financial struggles of the airport in 2021 and refused to enter an equity or loan agreement on that back of this after they (and the SYMCA financial advisors) reached the same conclusion as Peel that the airport wasn’t viable. No wonder SYMCA refuse to answer the various FOI requests pertaining to this, along with removing any trace of the final decision from their website.

The cargo airline mentioned by the unnamed ‘senior manager’ in the Yorkshire business insider article a few weeks ago apparently decided not to pursue their proposal to establish a network from DSA. So it clearly wasn’t close to being a done deal as alluded to.

Ryanair and Easyjet couldn’t attract enough passenger traffic and business users accounted for just 3% of total users.

Of course the people who support reopening the airport would say ‘well he would say that, wouldn’t he’. Really he has no need to set the record straight, but has done so anyway. That is him on record setting it straight, I challenge Ros Jones to respond to this.

You have to wonder why this letter has never been made public. This, in a respected newspaper such as the Yorkshire Post, would at least help ensure the pubic are aware they are being deceived by politicians. The very same ones that allowed DSA to fold in the first place and.now they not only ignore the evidence of 17 years trading, but they're prepared to blow multi millions chasing a dream airport that is unlikely to ever be a success.

Information like this should be publicised, not covered up.