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 didn't say I was sure, just that I'd be surprised . Since I'm not a fan of DSA and never have been, my surprise if they do would be in the 'pleasant' category. But as I indicated, if the likes of MAN and EMA object then possibly LBA will do the same.

If the BRS/BHX vs CWL is anything to go by, the SAU submission is heavily weighted on economic regeneration and this is why it was found in CWL favour. I think the key will be that the business was not viable before whereas CWL has been.

 

Seeing the general public’s comments on DSA and stating airlines (Jet2) should up sticks and move to DSA. Quite frankly hilarious. DSA doesn’t even have enough stands, never mind the catchment area or wealth in the area.

Jet2 have announced a further AC into LBA for S25. Like they would leave that lucrative market.

They don’t even state facts it’s just opinion. Jet2 have had 17 years to try DSA and they didn’t touch. Can’t see it changing. SH response was such a generic CEO response,
Of course he is speaking to all airports, it helps with bargaining with current airports. If he said anything negative it wouldn’t go down well with the die hard DSA fans who would boycott.

Other claims stating LBA runway is unsafe is actually disgraceful people think it’s ok to post such missed facts.

Ros stating Spring 2026 for flights.. well Ros I suggest you announce this operator and announce and airline selling seats because most are on sale for S26.

Then come winter when inevitably airlines scale back, what back to 1-2 flights a day tops?

What a way to waste public money.

 

Seeing the general public’s comments on DSA and stating airlines (Jet2) should up sticks and move to DSA. Quite frankly hilarious. DSA doesn’t even have enough stands, never mind the catchment area or wealth in the area.

Jet2 have announced a further AC into LBA for S25. Like they would leave that lucrative market.

They don’t even state facts it’s just opinion. Jet2 have had 17 years to try DSA and they didn’t touch. Can’t see it changing. SH response was such a generic CEO response,
Of course he is speaking to all airports, it helps with bargaining with current airports. If he said anything negative it wouldn’t go down well with the die hard DSA fans who would boycott.

Other claims stating LBA runway is unsafe is actually disgraceful people think it’s ok to post such missed facts.

Ros stating Spring 2026 for flights.. well Ros I suggest you announce this operator and announce and airline selling seats because most are on sale for S26.

Then come winter when inevitably airlines scale back, what back to 1-2 flights a day tops?

What a way to waste public money.

It's not worth looking at this stuff - there is little of substance and many but not all -(there are some realistic ones) supporters are just working themselves into a mis-placed frenzy of excitement which I would imagine will probably mean some disappointment in the end. Leave them to it I say and let's see how things evolve. Much of this nonsense will count for nothing - catchment area is king as has been proved over the last 17 years or so!!

History is repeating itself, only this time they have the tax payer over a barrel. I still think someone should have suggested to 2Excel that they take the airport on if they thought it shouldn’t have closed! They could still use it without a licence. Just sort the lighting out and they can return to task no problem.

Referral of a proposed subsidy to FlyDoncaster Limited by City of Doncaster Council

The Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU) has published its report providing advice to City of Doncaster Council concerning its proposed subsidy to FlyDoncaster Limited.

www.gov.uk

Why is FlyDoncaster Ltd 100% publicly owned? Where does the private sector investor come in to this?

I read something tucked away in a statement or post from CDC quite a while ago that if they gave subsidy direct from CDC it might fall foul of SAU but if they gave it to a company who in turn subsidised an operator they though that would be OK. Know nothing about the workings of such things but I'm sure that's the jist of what it said.

 

It would certainly be worth noting at what Interest Rate is given on the loans.

TVCA loans to Goosepool (Teesside Airport) are at 5.09%
Since Teesside Airport was purchased, going off the TVCA Accounts Goosepool has paid TVCA in region of £20m in interest payments in the five years.

 

It would certainly be worth noting at what Interest Rate is given on the loans.

TVCA loans to Goosepool (Teesside Airport) are at 5.09%
Since Teesside Airport was purchased, going off the TVCA Accounts Goosepool has paid TVCA in region of £20m in interest payments in the five years.

It’s my understanding that the gainshare is being borrowed against because it’s only available in annual tranches. So they’re paying interest on a loan that will presumably be paying interest on another loan. All seems a bit risky but again, in 5 years time the people pushing for this now will have moved on so it won’t matter to them.

 

Oliver Coppard had been unusually quiet on the ‘news’ of yesterday. No mention anywhere on his social media which surprises me, nor does he appear to have attended airport yesterday for the photo opportunity. Anyone else find this odd?

 

Oliver Coppard had been unusually quiet on the ‘news’ of yesterday. No mention anywhere on his social media which surprises me, nor does he appear to have attended airport yesterday for the photo opportunity. Anyone else find this odd?

Yes and no.

Yes as you would expect him to be at the forefront of things such as Ftday morning alongside Ros Jones it was only going to happen once after all but no because he's really not as hot on the idea as some think he is. I suspect he regrets being as enthusiastic as he made out in the publc eye at the start of it all. It appears the less the subject of DSA cropping up on his radar certainly in the public eye the better. I do wonder if way down the line he will come out with something saying he wasn't as enthusiastic about it as he appeared to be suspect the airports fate over the coming years will define that..

Maybe he had a long standing prior engagement yesterday???.

At least the mad mechanic didnt get the chance to be part of the action he appears to have been put firmly back in his box as far as I can tell. At least someone somewhere has seen sense to distance him from things.

 

Yes and no.

Yes as you would expect him to be at the forefront of things such as Ftday morning alongside Ros Jones it was only going to happen once after all but no because he's really not as hot on the idea as some think he is. I suspect he regrets being as enthusiastic as he made out in the publc eye at the start of it all. It appears the less the subject of DSA cropping up on his radar certainly in the public eye the better. I do wonder if way down the line he will come out with something saying he wasn't as enthusiastic about it as he appeared to be suspect the airports fate over the coming years will define that..

Maybe he had a long standing prior engagement yesterday???.

At least the mad mechanic didnt get the chance to be part of the action he appears to have been put firmly back in his box as far as I can tell. At least someone somewhere has seen sense to distance him from things.

He’s always said it’s the job of the private sector to run airports, not the public sector. He released a rehashed statement after the first (more positive sounding) one after the SYMCA meeting early November doubling down on his need to look after the tax payer first and foremost. I think Ros Jones wanted the credit for this one to shore up support for Labour in the CDC, which may explain why he wasn’t there. He could have had a prior engagement as you say, or he just didn’t want to lend his face to it. Interesting that none of the other local authorities that make up the MCA appear to be all that bothered about it and certainly don’t appear to want to have any monetary involvement in it despite its apparent wider regional benefits (didn’t Ros Jones say it would benefit the entire North of England?).

It does look like it’s going to go ahead unless it’s blocked either by the SAU finding something or at SYMCA board level, so anything we say will be the proverbial into the wind from here on out. But still it’s important to keep an eye on, much like it was before. The airlines will certainly support adding another airport to the mix, mostly to drive a harder bargain with their current operating bases. DSA may attract some level of interest, at least initially whilst there’s some excitement (think back to 2004-06!). But the real test will come when they try to diversify from just having TUI/Jet2 running heavily seasonal programs to the med. Its where the airport fell down last time, I’ve no reason to believe that doing the same thing will bring different results now.

A former airport commercial manager/director recently made a comment about the latest news (before it happened) to caution that it was nothing more than diversion tactics. This person does not believe the narrative being spun by the CDC and friends and does not trust them with the publics money. This is a person with direct experience of running the airport. I know who I would believe,

 

It's not worth looking at this stuff - there is little of substance and many but not all -(there are some realistic ones) supporters are just working themselves into a mis-placed frenzy of excitement which I would imagine will probably mean some disappointment in the end. Leave them to it I say and let's see how things evolve. Much of this nonsense will count for nothing - catchment area is king as has been proved over the last 17 years or so!!


I read something tucked away in a statement or post from CDC quite a while ago that if they gave subsidy direct from CDC it might fall foul of SAU but if they gave it to a company who in turn subsidised an operator they though that would be OK. Know nothing about the workings of such things but I'm sure that's the jist of what it said.

If the advice of SAU is not to be available until the 22nd Jan and the FBC is to be presented on 25th Jan where is the time for public scrutiny? Smacks of a fait accompli - the electorate will possibly not get to know the cost to them of all this until it's too late! Some will not be bothered so long as they get their flight to Alicante but it could have a significant impact on the rest.

 

Latest post from the mechanic trying to promote his airspace petition, he states “Early 2025 we should know the name of the operator, do we need to know this? Probably not to be honest” erm isn’t the operator the essential part in the jigsaw here? Without them no airlines can be tried to lured in etc.

Can’t wrap my head around half of the shite being posted on that page

 

He’s always said it’s the job of the private sector to run airports, not the public sector. He released a rehashed statement after the first (more positive sounding) one after the SYMCA meeting early November doubling down on his need to look after the tax payer first and foremost. I think Ros Jones wanted the credit for this one to shore up support for Labour in the CDC, which may explain why he wasn’t there. He could have had a prior engagement as you say, or he just didn’t want to lend his face to it. Interesting that none of the other local authorities that make up the MCA appear to be all that bothered about it and certainly don’t appear to want to have any monetary involvement in it despite its apparent wider regional benefits (didn’t Ros Jones say it would benefit the entire North of England?).

It does look like it’s going to go ahead unless it’s blocked either by the SAU finding something or at SYMCA board level, so anything we say will be the proverbial into the wind from here on out. But still it’s important to keep an eye on, much like it was before. The airlines will certainly support adding another airport to the mix, mostly to drive a harder bargain with their current operating bases. DSA may attract some level of interest, at least initially whilst there’s some excitement (think back to 2004-06!). But the real test will come when they try to diversify from just having TUI/Jet2 running heavily seasonal programs to the med. Its where the airport fell down last time, I’ve no reason to believe that doing the same thing will bring different results now.

A former airport commercial manager/director recently made a comment about the latest news (before it happened) to caution that it was nothing more than diversion tactics. This person does not believe the narrative being spun by the CDC and friends and does not trust them with the publics money. This is a person with direct experience of running the airport. I know who I would believe,

Like you say it looks a done deal unless something drastic happens the fasinating thing will be seeing how the operator goes about trying to turn a failed business round and making it a success it will take a huge effort from the operator.

You can't just magic passengers up to the likes of Dublin when the demand simply wasn't anywhere near enough at DSA mark 1 your not going to take cargo traffic from EMA so how does this operator feel it can make things work they must have belief they have something tangible that sits outside the box that they can bring to the table that can work and is deliverable before any sort of passenger ops start way down the line in 2026 if not its a long time to wait for anything meaningful to happen and that will only heighten tensions about the place reopening.

Latest post from the mechanic trying to promote his airspace petition, he states “Early 2025 we should know the name of the operator, do we need to know this? Probably not to be honest” erm isn’t the operator the essential part in the jigsaw here? Without them no airlines can be tried to lured in etc.

Can’t wrap my head around half of the shite being posted on that page

Think he's running out of friends he now appears to be getting a bit desperate with it all, tbh the more he tries to make out he knows things the dafter he will end up looking he'll turn into a real headache I reckon if he isn't already. He's created a monster with what he's done with that FB page and brought a raft of people to the argument who had no interest in DSA apart from a trip to Tenerife once in a while. Those who have followed the airports developments without the rose tinted glasses it's not many but they do exist have not been helped at all by the guy and his crazy ramblings.

 

Like you say it looks a done deal unless something drastic happens the fasinating thing will be seeing how the operator goes about trying to turn a failed business round and making it a success it will take a huge effort from the operator.

You can't just magic passengers up to the likes of Dublin when the demand simply wasn't anywhere near enough at DSA mark 1 your not going to take cargo traffic from EMA so how does this operator feel it can make things work they must have belief they have something tangible that sits outside the box that they can bring to the table that can work and is deliverable before any sort of passenger ops start way down the line in 2026 if not its a long time to wait for anything meaningful to happen and that will only heighten tensions about the place reopening.


Think he's running out of friends he now appears to be getting a bit desperate with it all, tbh the more he tries to make out he knows things the dafter he will end up looking he'll turn into a real headache I reckon if he isn't already. He's created a monster with what he's done with that FB page and brought a raft of people to the argument who had no interest in DSA apart from a trip to Tenerife once in a while. Those who have followed the airports developments without the rose tinted glasses it's not many but they do exist have not been helped at all by the guy and his crazy ramblings.

I'm assuming that there will not be any kind of commercial movements (freight or pax.) until the airfield is awarded an operating license. That in itself is going to take some time with the recruitment and training required and stuff outside the operators control such as delays in accreditations etc. etc. The 2026 summer season looks a bit tight in any event even if everything goes like clockwork so as you rightly say it will create tensions if it is behind target. Fascinating stuff - I posted erroneously that the SYCMA meeting was 25th Jan - it is of course 28th Jan. but it looks as though there might not be publication of the full/final FBC for scrutiny beforehand.

 

I'm assuming that there will not be any kind of commercial movements (freight or pax.) until the airfield is awarded an operating license. That in itself is going to take some time with the recruitment and training required and stuff outside the operators control such as delays in accreditations etc. etc. The 2026 summer season looks a bit tight in any event even if everything goes like clockwork so as you rightly say it will create tensions if it is behind target. Fascinating stuff - I posted erroneously that the SYCMA meeting was 25th Jan - it is of course 28th Jan. but it looks as though there might not be publication of the full/final FBC for scrutiny beforehand.

Not sure how this will work, perhaps someone with public sector procurement experience could shed some light but it seems that the council will only push on if they get a positive from the SAU, so what are they telling the operator in the meantime? Ros Jones is clearly confident enough now to say she’s saved the day so perhaps an agreement has been completed with said operator. But it does only give them a few days between SAU report and the SYMCA board on 28th, are the operator supposed to sit back and await a verdict?

The Commercial Director at Eastern (although formerly of Linksair and we know what happened there) appears to be quite supportive of the efforts, but has cautioned that the hard work needs to start now to get the airport to financial and operational stability. Perhaps that’s where the much vaunted link to a hub will come from…

 

Don’t be surprised if there are legal challenges around the SAU…….

This may be the case but they are following the example of CWL who used regeneration as the justification which was waved through. The language in the submission overview is clear, they want to provide high value employment opportunities. Can’t argue with that ambition, but you can argue that an airport might not be the best way to provide those opportunities.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66fbd5f730536cb927482a22/Report_on_the_proposed_subsidy_to_Cardiff_International_Airport_Limited.pdf

I have no doubt that they will say they are targeting the airports in the South East to relieve capacity. The SAU don’t appear to understand regional dynamics - they seem to suggest that Wales loses more passengers to the London airports and therefore that is their target market and not Bristol. They would need to consult airline operators I feel to get a fuller picture.

 

This may be the case but they are following the example of CWL who used regeneration as the justification which was waved through. The language in the submission overview is clear, they want to provide high value employment opportunities. Can’t argue with that ambition, but you can argue that an airport might not be the best way to provide those opportunities.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66fbd5f730536cb927482a22/Report_on_the_proposed_subsidy_to_Cardiff_International_Airport_Limited.pdf

I have no doubt that they will say they are targeting the airports in the South East to relieve capacity. The SAU don’t appear to understand regional dynamics - they seem to suggest that Wales loses more passengers to the London airports and therefore that is their target market and not Bristol. They would need to consult airline operators I feel to get a fuller picture.

Personally I don't think the same arguments stack up at DSA if that's what they try. Cardiff is the capital of Wales, a separate country to England, and it seems perfectly reasonable to me that Wales should have a successful airport for it's capital city. How successful would be dictated by demand and what airlines are prepared to offer.

As important as Mayor Jones seems to think her new City of Doncaster is, it's just a relatively average sized city in the bottom corner of Yorkshire, a county, not a country, that already has one airport, and which has access to quite a few more relatively easily. Trying to argue that huge amounts of public money should be spent on what is a highly risky venture at DSA because passengers are travelling 30-60 miles to various other airports is nothing like the issue at CWL where it's quite reasonable to expect that the people of Wales would have a half decent airport serving them and their capital city and a reduced need to travel to London, the South East and the likes of Bristol and Birmingham, none of which are in Wales.

The two cases are not the same nor should they be treated the same by the SAU.

 

Did Bristol airport raise a legal challenge re Cardiff??


Answered my own question - they did and they have succeeded in flagging concerns at the CMA - will be interesting to see what happens over the next few mi the as I very much doubt the SAU will be straightforward https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/oth...o-cardiff-airport/ar-AA1p6bHl?ocid=ob-fb-frfr

I’m not sure whether any other airport will raise a challenge, I think it will be a box ticking exercise unless there are concerns/challenges raised. Works for the council though if there’s an external influence at play because it gives them someone to blame.

 

Mechanics latest laughable post is GLA/EDI/SOU all sold to a Candanian firm and he is stating (sarcasm) “who said there is no money in aviation.. “

I mean considering they have taken on £653 million of debt.. doesn’t this contradict? The airports have debt..

EDI/GLA are absolutely no where near comparable to DSA in terms of value, passengers, success.

 

Mechanics latest laughable post is GLA/EDI/SOU all sold to a Candanian firm and he is stating (sarcasm) “who said there is no money in aviation.. “

I mean considering they have taken on £653 million of debt.. doesn’t this contradict? The airports have debt..

EDI/GLA are absolutely no where near comparable to DSA in terms of value, passengers, success.

I seem to recall DSA was previously part sold to a Canadian firm. It didn't end well did it? Couldn't wait to get rid again

 

Mechanics latest laughable post is GLA/EDI/SOU all sold to a Candanian firm and he is stating (sarcasm) “who said there is no money in aviation.. “

I mean considering they have taken on £653 million of debt.. doesn’t this contradict? The airports have debt..

EDI/GLA are absolutely no where near comparable to DSA in terms of value, passengers, success.

Isn’t it GLA/ABZ/SOU that have been purchased by some Canadian pension fund? SOU is a questionable one given the demise of Flybe and rise of BOH.. But the other two aren’t going anywhere any time soon and are presumably long term infrastructure investments. Whether they are good investments remains to be seen but they are in no way comparable to DSA which is still owned by Peel and so cannot be an investment opportunity due to the inherent risk. If the Council can turn it around with the help of an operator and the airport becomes available for sale then it might be a future possibility, but we won’t see that for at least a decade of sustainable growth and financial viability i don’t think.

@White Heather yes a Canadian airport operator did purchase Peel Airports but realised that they’d purchased mainly unprofitable airports (exception LPL) so offloaded MME and DSA. Lost $50million in the process, this information will be available to any other investor including any potentially interested pension fund.

 

Isn’t it GLA/ABZ/SOU that have been purchased by some Canadian pension fund? SOU is a questionable one given the demise of Flybe and rise of BOH.. But the other two aren’t going anywhere any time soon and are presumably long term infrastructure investments. Whether they are good investments remains to be seen but they are in no way comparable to DSA which is still owned by Peel and so cannot be an investment opportunity due to the inherent risk. If the Council can turn it around with the help of an operator and the airport becomes available for sale then it might be a future possibility, but we won’t see that for at least a decade of sustainable growth and financial viability i don’t think.

@White Heather yes a Canadian airport operator did purchase Peel Airports but realised that they’d purchased mainly unprofitable airports (exception LPL) so offloaded MME and DSA. Lost $50million in the process, this information will be available to any other investor including any potentially interested pension fund.

Correction ABZ yes