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...?

 

This afternoon does appear to mitigate the 'positive' words of late to a point where I have no idea of exactly what will transpire! It does sound reading between the lines that he has little positive news to impart on the aviation front but mentions the 'world leading sustainable aviation hub' at Gateway East which is interesting - whatever he means by that. He does seem sincere insomuch as they have not yet enough information upon which to take a decision, but if true it would seem unlikely another two weeks will make much difference after all the time already spent. If that is the case - and he sticks to 9th September - the decision becomes less about viability and not withstanding what he said - more about politics. Frankly, I don't think he knows what to do!
A decision based upon insufficient data (although I suspect there is plenty of negative stuff from independent Consultants) but swayed by politics in my opinion will be a recipe for disaster.

Interesting the statement from Doncaster Council once again the airport is effectively reopened already due to 2Excel boltholing some aircraft there, and that it was always going to be a staged return.

I feel at the moment that Coppard might approve some of the money to get the ball rolling and we see a situation like Leeds East where the airfield is open but it’s not an airport in the sense of what it was before. There may be a longer term plan to mobilise and acquire assets to see commercial flights return but they would be on the proviso that demand existed at a given time.

It is as we thought though, he wants the airport to be viable and so he wants to say yes, but clearly there is weight in evidence to highlight risks inherent in it that may far outweigh any positive spin that whoever has devised the plan would be able to mitigate.

So I still think it will be a yes in September, bit perhaps not the Yes that the SaveDSA people would like.

Needless to say the mechanic appears to have tried putting a positive spin on it without sharing the article concerned. Claims to have spoken to aviation experts who are ‘astounded’ with the progress that’s already been made.

 

Interesting the statement from Doncaster Council once again the airport is effectively reopened already due to 2Excel boltholing some aircraft there, and that it was always going to be a staged return.

I feel at the moment that Coppard might approve some of the money to get the ball rolling and we see a situation like Leeds East where the airfield is open but it’s not an airport in the sense of what it was before. There may be a longer term plan to mobilise and acquire assets to see commercial flights return but they would be on the proviso that demand existed at a given time.

It is as we thought though, he wants the airport to be viable and so he wants to say yes, but clearly there is weight in evidence to highlight risks inherent in it that may far outweigh any positive spin that whoever has devised the plan would be able to mitigate.

So I still think it will be a yes in September, bit perhaps not the Yes that the SaveDSA people would like.

Needless to say the mechanic appears to have tried putting a positive spin on it without sharing the article concerned. Claims to have spoken to aviation experts who are ‘astounded’ with the progress that’s already been made.

Yes I agree. Coppard could say payout £40m for the sustainable aviation thingy, with flights potentially later down the line. the £40m refurbs a couple of hangers for Ross Jones to prance around and say look at what I have achieved. A few years Later CDC ask for £120m to start commercial flights, SYCMA says “you’ve already been given £60m, so you have only 60 left”. Or something down them lines

 

Yes I agree. Coppard could say payout £40m for the sustainable aviation thingy, with flights potentially later down the line. the £40m refurbs a couple of hangers for Ross Jones to prance around and say look at what I have achieved. A few years Later CDC ask for £120m to start commercial flights, SYCMA says “you’ve already been given £60m, so you have only 60 left”. Or something down them lines

Too hard to call. Ros Jones last update mentioned big ticket items, can only assume these form part of the initial outlay and so to not spend on that would be a big change in direction.

I’ve noticed some of the more astute ‘supporters’ have suggested that MAI have removed any mention of DSA on their website. I’m unable to confirm this as I wasn’t sure whether they ever listed DSA in the first place. Could they have parted ways now too to keep costs down?

 

Can’t say I’m surprised, in fact the council saying the airport is technically “open” right now, there they have done the job no? Obviously pax operations wasn’t going to be spring 2026, 2028 sounds more likely but I personally can’t even see that happening. What’s the point in DSA being a GA airfield, apart from 2excel is there any demand? Private jet flights? I doubt there’s huge demand imho.

As mentioned from Pug is there any need for MIA? getting paid nothing, quite laughable.

 

Can’t say I’m surprised, in fact the council saying the airport is technically “open” right now, there they have done the job no? Obviously pax operations wasn’t going to be spring 2026, 2028 sounds more likely but I personally can’t even see that happening. What’s the point in DSA being a GA airfield, apart from 2excel is there any demand? Private jet flights? I doubt there’s huge demand imho.

As mentioned from Pug is there any need for MIA? getting paid nothing, quite laughable.

The mechanic appears to be on spin overdrive tonight. A video of today’s proceedings will be available tomorrow apparently and then we can all better judge what was said because the media have latched onto the negatives to sell papers or something. Does anyone buy papers these days?

MAI have served a propose, they were there to lend credibility to the proposal. I’m sure they’re still on the books but some claim they have removed any mention of DSA from their website. I can’t evidence this as I don’t think they ever listed DSA on there in the first place.

 

The mechanic appears to be on spin overdrive tonight. A video of today’s proceedings will be available tomorrow apparently and then we can all better judge what was said because the media have latched onto the negatives to sell papers or something. Does anyone buy papers these days?

MAI have served a propose, they were there to lend credibility to the proposal. I’m sure they’re still on the books but some claim they have removed any mention of DSA from their website. I can’t evidence this as I don’t think they ever listed DSA on there in the first place.

As everyone on this page realised Spring 2026 for 'commercial flights' (which the supporters took to mean their holiday flights) was not going to happen so whatever comes out of 9th September there is going to be a big delay to that. As one supporter has posted - the longer the delay the more the support will decay. I'm afraid the claim by CDC that it is technically open will not wash - folk want their holiday flight! Clearly from what Coppard has said, the figures do not add up and the return on investment is not what was projected according to the work he has done. As alluded to @pug perhaps a limited GA opening on the pretext that it's required to support Gateway East and this sustainable aviation hub that few know what it actually is?
Interesting to hear what this afternoon brings!

 

As everyone on this page realised Spring 2026 for 'commercial flights' (which the supporters took to mean their holiday flights) was not going to happen so whatever comes out of 9th September there is going to be a big delay to that. As one supporter has posted - the longer the delay the more the support will decay. I'm afraid the claim by CDC that it is technically open will not wash - folk want their holiday flight! Clearly from what Coppard has said, the figures do not add up and the return on investment is not what was projected according to the work he has done. As alluded to @pug perhaps a limited GA opening on the pretext that it's required to support Gateway East and this sustainable aviation hub that few know what it actually is?
Interesting to hear what this afternoon brings!

Im not sure even OC or CDC really know what the Sustainable Aviation Hub is. To me it sounds like something they just dreamed up as a means of justifying the reopening of a failed airport and the potential wasting of £150m of public money .

 

The mechanic appears to be on spin overdrive tonight. A video of today’s proceedings will be available tomorrow apparently and then we can all better judge what was said because the media have latched onto the negatives to sell papers or something. Does anyone buy papers these days?

MAI have served a propose, they were there to lend credibility to the proposal. I’m sure they’re still on the books but some claim they have removed any mention of DSA from their website. I can’t evidence this as I don’t think they ever listed DSA on there in the first place.

I was awaiting the notification on YT, it has just premiered

I was awaiting the notification on YT, it has just premiered

@pug

 

Im not sure even OC or CDC really know what the Sustainable Aviation Hub is. To me it sounds like something they just dreamed up as a means of justifying the reopening of a failed airport and the potential wasting of £150m of public money .

It’s like Alan Partridges ‘Monkey Tennis’ in many ways.

How else can they make a case for a failed airport that predicates the success of their grand plan? Well it has to be aviation related obviously, and it has to appease those of a climate concern disposition.

 

Im not sure even OC or CDC really know what the Sustainable Aviation Hub is. To me it sounds like something they just dreamed up as a means of justifying the reopening of a failed airport and the potential wasting of £150m of public money .

It’s just a ruse to ensure the likes of the local MP Milliband can try and deflect any flak he gets from the green lobby ….Of course everyone sees through it!
To be fair even the LBA MP has done similar with her press release about her meeting with LBA and Jet2 & making LBA a centre for SAF…. It’s all nonsense to try and keep votes from both sides of the debate….

 

Not sure if anyone managed to watch the live Q&A on the YP? I caught about half of it and although Coppard articulates himself well there are a few unanswered questions.

He touched on the challenges over a ‘remorseless’ airline industry, once again acknowledging that the real issue is one of airlines lacking confidence. He claims there is a market in South Yorkshire but that’s always existed and it didn’t work out well before. What’s changed? This wasn’t answered.

He said about 2Excel wanting to expand their presence at DSA at the expense of Humberside and ‘down south’ which I assume he means Lasham, Southend and maybe Sywell. Didn’t go into detail but I’m sure in the case of Southend and Humberside they won’t be too impressed by a public sector body aiming to take business away. Suspect some would remain at Humberside for the SAR contract although this isn’t clear.

He was quite direct in that MAI are a ‘great partner’ but interestingly went on to list off other airports, namely Gatwick, as places they’ve been to seek out advice. Interesting choice with Gatwick, it shares no synergies with DSA whatsoever. He did also mention some unnamed organisations they wanted to work with for their expertise, clearly MAI aren’t providing the right answers here. Are they still actively involved?

I certainly didn’t feel inspired listening to that. I do like Coppards delivery but he did also mention very good job of not saying much at all apart from how he wants the airport to reopen but he has to protect tax payers money, basically what he’s been saying for months/years now.

 

Not sure if anyone managed to watch the live Q&A on the YP? I caught about half of it and although Coppard articulates himself well there are a few unanswered questions.

He touched on the challenges over a ‘remorseless’ airline industry, once again acknowledging that the real issue is one of airlines lacking confidence. He claims there is a market in South Yorkshire but that’s always existed and it didn’t work out well before. What’s changed? This wasn’t answered.

He said about 2Excel wanting to expand their presence at DSA at the expense of Humberside and ‘down south’ which I assume he means Lasham, Southend and maybe Sywell. Didn’t go into detail but I’m sure in the case of Southend and Humberside they won’t be too impressed by a public sector body aiming to take business away. Suspect some would remain at Humberside for the SAR contract although this isn’t clear.

He was quite direct in that MAI are a ‘great partner’ but interestingly went on to list off other airports, namely Gatwick, as places they’ve been to seek out advice. Interesting choice with Gatwick, it shares no synergies with DSA whatsoever. He did also mention some unnamed organisations they wanted to work with for their expertise, clearly MAI aren’t providing the right answers here. Are they still actively involved?

I certainly didn’t feel inspired listening to that. I do like Coppards delivery but he did also mention very good job of not saying much at all apart from how he wants the airport to reopen but he has to protect tax payers money, basically what he’s been saying for months/years now.

The same LGW that DSA / CDC think they have the same economic contributions / benefit / output / value LGW have.. oh right.

Why would LGW give a f*** either way? Unless they're getting paid. (waste of money) CDC look desperate? going to anyone they can to most likely tell them what they want to hear and there is a reason they haven't heard what they want to hear..

Chadwick putting a positive spin on everything and Yorkshire Post are selling newspapers / protecting LBA.. yawn.. not really.

2028 kicking the can down the road, the industry isn't exactly flourishing at the moment, the airlines are not exactly expanding. Cargo EMA is eating up. There's nothing for DSA to offer / tap into. I wonder what the "site manager" or whatever the roll was that CDC advertised not long back is doing. 2.5 years away before a flight to ALC.. is it really worth it?

 

The same LGW that DSA / CDC think they have the same economic contributions / benefit / output / value LGW have.. oh right.

Why would LGW give a f*** either way? Unless they're getting paid. (waste of money) CDC look desperate? going to anyone they can to most likely tell them what they want to hear and there is a reason they haven't heard what they want to hear..

Chadwick putting a positive spin on everything and Yorkshire Post are selling newspapers / protecting LBA.. yawn.. not really.

2028 kicking the can down the road, the industry isn't exactly flourishing at the moment, the airlines are not exactly expanding. Cargo EMA is eating up. There's nothing for DSA to offer / tap into. I wonder what the "site manager" or whatever the roll was that CDC advertised not long back is doing. 2.5 years away before a flight to ALC.. is it really worth it?

One thing the YP never does is to support or protect LBA. Quite the opposite in my experience and previously very much supportive of DSA and dismissive of LBA.

 

What it boils down to is a loud minority who want, or even demand, the right to fly on their holidays without having to travel too far..
Granted they've made a lot of running by harnessing non too bright local politicians..But Coppard has smelt the coffee and sounds like a man trying to get out from underneath a very poisoned chalice.
But sooner or later he'll find that elusive exit..

 

There will be some interesting debate after 9 September - which ever way the decision goes.
I am going to put my head on the block and say that some money will be released for it to operate as a GA field. That to me would be a "political" decision, something Coppard said he wouldn't do.
Less than 2 weeks to wait..........

 

Coppard’s speech

 

What it boils down to is a loud minority who want, or even demand, the right to fly on their holidays without having to travel too far..
Granted they've made a lot of running by harnessing non too bright local politicians..But Coppard has smelt the coffee and sounds like a man trying to get out from underneath a very poisoned chalice.
But sooner or later he'll find that elusive exit..

I think he sees it in the way others see it, that a region the size of South Yorkshire should be able to support an airport. They are correct of course but the many decades South Yorkshire went without one has meant that other airports have built a business around serving the SY population within a catchment area. I appreciate I’m a broken record but I don’t care. Not one bit. Coppard, along with Ros Jones, Mark Chadwick and everyone who follows them/supports them are singing from the same hymn sheet. The problem for Coppard is how does he balance his own bias against information that is clearly telling him contradicts his own beliefs?

If he has information that suggests the airport might do ok he will say yes. I think he has that information I matter how dubious and so he is most likely going to say yes in September failing any significant hurdle that might arise in the assurance works - sounds to me like if it was to appear it’ll be someting he can blame on Peel due to the lease arrangements that he did touch on in the Q&A.

So I don’t interpret it as him trying to get out of it. I think he’d prefer not to have to make this particular decision, but that’s my own reading into the situation.

Either way neither the Q&A nor the full statement as linked to above by @Egyptian King has answered the questions I’m sure most of us on this forum thread have that is to say with the possible exception of how they feel they’ll claim the money back and it seems that will be in business rates. Might be a legal grey area there along with the subsidy but that’s would be for people far more intelligent than me to decide.

 

I am going to put my head on the block and say that some money will be released for it to operate as a GA field.

I think that’s exactly what will happen - it’ll reopen for GA/freight/maintenance/manufacturing.

Much less money required, much lower operating costs, and most importantly it lets them say they’ve kept the promise to reopen it, and (attempt to) keep the natives happy by saying they’ll look at passenger operations in future ‘when the conditions are right’.

 

I think that’s exactly what will happen - it’ll reopen for GA/freight/maintenance/manufacturing.

Much less money required, much lower operating costs, and most importantly it lets them say they’ve kept the promise to reopen it, and (attempt to) keep the natives happy by saying they’ll look at passenger operations in future ‘when the conditions are right’.

I think that’s basically a given at this stage, no need for ATC or airspace at the level required for full certification so the costs would be kept to a minimum. Can still promote their sustainable aviation ambition (whatever that means), and ultimately they preserve the airfield in case there is a change in trends which results in demand for passenger flights.

Only problem with this theory is that Coppard today seemed to allude to a KPI on the lease that may be based on passenger throughput. One suspects that as Peel had the upper hand in the negotiations they may have said ‘OK, you can have the lease, but this is on the understanding that you hit x target by y year’.

Another issue whilst fresh in my mind is the theory that business rates will cover the cost of reopening the airport. Didn’t Peel receive rates relief for a number of years after initially starting out? Wouldn’t there need to be some form of sweetener to entice companies to locate/relocate to the ‘Airport City’ to be competitive against places like EMA that have Freeport status? Seems a bit of a stretch to make that assumption.

 

I just listened to the full hour long interview. OC says he still doesn't have answers to numerous vital parts of the business case and it's difficult to see how all these answers are going to suddenly materialise in time to make a decision on 9th September. He did actually suggest a final decision may not be made on that date, either way.