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 see the proposed ECML loop and station at DSA has now been ‘approved’, with the caveat subject to further discussion on cost and projected passenger usage.

Am I the only one that is slightly miffed about this? It may be that the Government are trying to force the hand of Peel, but it really seems to me that they fully believe this project - which would come at huge cost - will be the key to attracting those airlines that haven’t bothered til now. We were told the road was holding Doncaster back. The airport has less airlines flying from it now than it did before the road was built!

Utter craziness. Need someone from industry to start being heard.

 

I will state categorically that this will not happen within the next 5 years (too late for Peel) and probably never at all.

 

I will state categorically that this will not happen within the next 5 years (too late for Peel) and probably never at all.

Turns out the MP who announced it has jumped the gun. Oliver Coppard has confirmed this is simply an £30million ‘upgrade’ to the Lincoln line. I take that to mean they might put a halt on that line at Finningley somewhere.

 

I don't even have to wait 5 years.

 

They (this incompetent bunch of idiots) have approved be Doncaster railway station despite the airport saying it’s not viable to remain open.

Are they on this planet? Or they spending to much money they’ve made by lining their own pockets on the white powder?

Talk about a huge kick in the teeth for LBA. Talk about walking contraction. It’s embarrassing.

 

This country is a shambles. GREAT Britain is long gone.

 

They (this incompetent bunch of idiots) have approved be Doncaster railway station despite the airport saying it’s not viable to remain open.

Are they on this planet? Or they spending to much money they’ve made by lining their own pockets on the white powder?

Talk about a huge kick in the teeth for LBA. Talk about walking contraction. It’s embarrassing.

It won’t get built. It’s subject to feasibility studies and I can guarantee that the current rail operator on the line will say that it’s non viable even if the airport remains open.

The usual bluster from MP Nick Fletcher had me confused initially, as he shot from the hip and announced that the ECML loop would be built. This is false.

Oliver Coppard has released a statement today which is far more balanced and considered. He wants to save the airport but seems to be more realistic about the options open to him to do so.

 

Chill folks won't happen, one question though when did LBA and Leeds become the centre of the earth if some of you lot aren't moaning about DSA being built it's moaning about Manchester come on what makes LBA more special than EMA, Liverpool or Newcastle?

 

It’s not but I don’t get why there is this petty airport rivalry stuff it’s pathetic.

I’m sure most users on here hope DSA doesn’t close. I for one hope it doesn’t.

 

What is noticeable is how so many are interested in DSA when the place is in trouble, but no contributions previous to this.

 

I don’t want the airport to go - it could rival EMA in cargo, and is great for General Aviation. But if I remember rightly, and I’ve contributed, is that John Prescott approved said airport but said it’s not viable nor warranted But will bring it much needed investment to the area so he approved.

What baffles my brain which is why I’m contributing is that they have happily signed off the airport railway. What does this bring? If they are making it more a park and ride with added bonus of location near DSA, then, fantastic. Otherwise what a waste of tax payers money.

 

What is noticeable is how so many are interested in DSA when the place is in trouble, but no contributions previous to this.

Other then the odd news from TUI, Wizz air, there really isn’t much to add about Doncaster. As harsh as that sounds it’s reality.

 

Other then the odd news from TUI, Wizz air, there really isn’t much to add about Doncaster. As harsh as that sounds it’s reality.

Probably no different to just adding the same thing over and over again day in day out on the LBA pages then which is 100% true.

Not a chance the rail link would happen it is simply politician talk nobody would sign it off passenger numbers would never warrant it.

We know the argument for and against the airport again it has been done over and over again. I have said from the day I came on here the owners are the issue not for everything but Peel don't do airports and never will.

 

Chill folks won't happen, one question though when did LBA and Leeds become the centre of the earth if some of you lot aren't moaning about DSA being built it's moaning about Manchester come on what makes LBA more special than EMA, Liverpool or Newcastle?

Bit of a silly, antagonistic post. You’ve given your user name away on another forum now too.

As this forum was setup by people with an affinity to LBA then it is to be expected that they see it as a priority.

What you fail to understand is the annoyance at the upset this has caused in the region over the last 20 years. Jobs local to me were lost on the back of this, the ability for the region to truly capitalise on growth where there is demand for it has been compromised by political tinkering. All Yorkshire and Humber politicians and council officials have favoured DSA even when the evidence points to it being a lame duck. I personally had locked horns with a rather unpleasant bloke who used to head up a local council of mine who accused me of ‘working for LBA’ when challenging him on why effort should be made to improve surface access to LBA - even when it was pointed out to him that demand at DSA means it is being held back commercially and no amount of political tinkering could influence that fundamental problem.

Out of interest, given we know that DSA hasn’t proven popular for the airlines, do you agree that the growth at LBA should be artificially stunted purely because local politicians believe that it should be focussed upon DSA? Remember, these people have zero influence on where an airline chooses to operate from.

For me, I’d much prefer DSA to be a success, it’s easy for me to get to. But you have to be realistic, and there is a very real prospect that traffic is going to MAN or elsewhere purely because the main airport this side of the Pennines is being held back.

 

I agree 100% @pug We even have the BBC running stories on how we need to save DSA yet had this been LBA they would be telling us how growth at LBA is destroying the planet.

Our own political leaders have tried to prevent LBA from expanding even though it is the favoured airport to the East side on the Pennines. The facilities are dier but 4mppa (pre pandemic) are still choosing to fly from there as their preferred departure point.

@Rob c DSA This site was essentially set up by me with a little collaboration from @lbaspotter in an effort to expand discussions to include all airports not just LBA. There were and still are forums for individual airports elsewhere but it was my opinion that these can be devisive and inward looking.

Constructive criticism is always welcome here and the majority of our users are here because they support the aviation industry as a whole not necessarily just one airport.

 

I agree 100% @pug We even have the BBC running stories on how we need to save DSA yet had this been LBA they would be telling us how growth at LBA is destroying the planet.

Our own political leaders have tried to prevent LBA from expanding even though it is the favoured airport to the East side on the Pennines. The facilities are dier but 4mppa (pre pandemic) are still choosing to fly from there as their preferred departure point.

@Rob c DSA This site was essentially set up by me with a little collaboration from @lbaspotter in an effort to expand discussions to include all airports not just LBA. There were and still are forums for individual airports elsewhere but it was my opinion that these can be devisive and inward looking.

Constructive criticism is always welcome here and the majority of our users are here because they support the aviation industry as a whole not necessarily just one airport.

I feel there is a great deal of subconscious embarrassment at the moment given that DSA’s owners own admission that it’s not worked out as planned. This has been the driving force to try ‘save’ it, in many minds at all costs.

Someone elsewhere put it quite eloquently. Simply that DSA is a solution still looking for a problem.

 

Whilst politicians try to find a way to save DSA it looks like the first to jump ship might be Vulcan XH558. Someone has posted elsewhere to say they have had an email confirming it will leave DSA next year, though it doesn't say where it's going or how it will get there, and that will be interesting!

 

I’ve read that it’s planned to leave in June 2023 but unknown where it’s off to. There’s 2 potential sites that it could be going to but doesn’t name them (yet).

 

Whilst politicians try to find a way to save DSA it looks like the first to jump ship might be Vulcan XH558. Someone has posted elsewhere to say they have had an email confirming it will leave DSA next year, though it doesn't say where it's going or how it will get there, and that will be interesting!

Update: it seems that it's not a case of jumping ship by the trust that looks after the Vulcan. They've been pushed by DSAs owners according to the BBC. Another sign if their intentions?
What next? Oil Spill Response 727s to leave too?

 

Update: it seems that it's not a case of jumping ship by the trust that looks after the Vulcan. They've been pushed by DSAs owners according to the BBC. Another sign if their intentions?
What next? Oil Spill Response 727s to leave too?

In fairness, I think VTTS have been a bit of a thorn in the side for DSA for some time. Sadly the aircraft has been outside for a good while as they were evicted from the hangar it previously lived in. I’m not sure if this news has any bearing on the decision to close the airport.

As far as saving XH558 Is concerned, it’ll be a chop and shift job I’m afraid. Not a chance of getting the original manufacturer support to fly it elsewhere. Hopefully they will be able to transport it by road to somewhere suitable.

I think If the airport does go, then 2Excel would be the last to go.