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'm just waiting to see what happens after the local elections in May! Frankly, I'm surprised The Mechsnic isn't in the running for Doncaster Mayor!

He’ll be doing a Trump and waiting until enough people suggest it to him.

I’m not suggesting his motives are anything but altruistic but sometimes support for things at any cost is misplaced.

I think the elections will be make of break for any further development here, there is no way a change in local leadership will enable it to continue as it’s purely an exercise in political posturing. They must surely know by now how little appetite there is for it in the wider industry and how tricky it will be to actually make a sustainable and growing business out of it..

Speaking of elections and electioneering. PM and dPM have been at DSA this morning to announce that they have made such effort to switch use of a £30million allocated from a non viable rail link to a non viable airport. Coppard claims it means loan repayments will be cut, I think that’s BS because they don’t currently have enough money to fully commit and £145million probably won’t be enough. Anyway, independent financial scrutiny still not completed so we shouldn’t still expect to hear anything until later this year. Anyone would think Labour are worrying about losing a previously safe council.

 

He’ll be doing a Trump and waiting until enough people suggest it to him.

I’m not suggesting his motives are anything but altruistic but sometimes support for things at any cost is misplaced.

I think the elections will be make of break for any further development here, there is no way a change in local leadership will enable it to continue as it’s purely an exercise in political posturing. They must surely know by now how little appetite there is for it in the wider industry and how tricky it will be to actually make a sustainable and growing business out of it..

Speaking of elections and electioneering. PM and dPM have been at DSA this morning to announce that they have made such effort to switch use of a £30million allocated from a non viable rail link to a non viable airport. Coppard claims it means loan repayments will be cut, I think that’s BS because they don’t currently have enough money to fully commit and £145million probably won’t be enough. Anyway, independent financial scrutiny still not completed so we shouldn’t still expect to hear anything until later this year. Anyone would think Labour are worrying about losing a previously safe council.

Must make a note to avoid watching Calendar and Look North then tonight.

 

Must make a note to avoid watching Calendar and Look North then tonight.

Seems Scunthorpe steelworks is taking centre stage, and rightly so! If we lose steel making capability in this country it will not be replaced and this hasn’t far wider ramifications than reopening a failed airport.

 

Let's hope they have some more irons in the fire then!

 

Speaking of elections and electioneering. PM and dPM have been at DSA this morning to announce that they have made such effort to switch use of a £30million allocated from a non viable rail link to a non viable airport. Coppard claims it means loan repayments will be cut, I think that’s BS because they don’t currently have enough money to fully commit and £145million probably won’t be enough. Anyway, independent financial scrutiny still not completed so we shouldn’t still expect to hear anything until later this year. Anyone would think Labour are worrying about losing a previously safe council.

Keir mentioned the rail funding and mayors will just have one pot rather than multiple pots

 

A Press Release has gone out today to local business via the chambers regarding Kier Starmer's visit. There is a hint in the wording that they require more money "Hopefully, their £30 million investment will clear the decks for any further monfey that needs to flow into the airport in the near future, while also signalling to the outside world just how serious we are about making it a success this time around"

 

A Press Release has gone out today to local business via the chambers regarding Kier Starmer's visit. There is a hint in the wording that they require more money "Hopefully, their £30 million investment will clear the decks for any further monfey that needs to flow into the airport in the near future, while also signalling to the outside world just how serious we are about making it a success this time around"

It will need a lot more money than what they are currently proposing to spend. This is not new money it’s just reallocated so the government haven’t committed anything other than photo opportunities to shore up support for Ros Jones at the election in a few weeks.

They can be as serious about it as they want, doesn’t translate into a success when that success relies on a large number of stakeholders getting on board, it’s now become clear that at least two have said they aren’t remotely interested..

 

It will need a lot more money than what they are currently proposing to spend. This is not new money it’s just reallocated so the government haven’t committed anything other than photo opportunities to shore up support for Ros Jones at the election in a few weeks.

They can be as serious about it as they want, doesn’t translate into a success when that success relies on a large number of stakeholders getting on board, it’s now become clear that at least two have said they aren’t remotely interested..

Interesting to see people comment this on Chadwick's posts and the questions become unanswered.. obviously he doesn't want to spin the narrative for people to become aware that the 30M is not new money, but moved money.

Also I have seen a post on Travel Gossip Facebook page yesterday, looks like Balkan Holidays are seriously reducing their own Charter Flying and adding more allocations on existing airline schedules. SEN has been canned. I wonder if Balkan was one of the 5 airlines included in this list. Another airline highly highly unlike to be going in.

 

Interesting to see people comment this on Chadwick's posts and the questions become unanswered.. obviously he doesn't want to spin the narrative for people to become aware that the 30M is not new money, but moved money.

Also I have seen a post on Travel Gossip Facebook page yesterday, looks like Balkan Holidays are seriously reducing their own Charter Flying and adding more allocations on existing airline schedules. SEN has been canned. I wonder if Balkan was one of the 5 airlines included in this list. Another airline highly highly unlike to be going in.

Even if Balkan had done , what use is a weekly Airbus? Hardly worth turning the lights on for in terms of passenger numbers. They dont even operate a full summer season.

 

Interesting to see people comment this on Chadwick's posts and the questions become unanswered.. obviously he doesn't want to spin the narrative for people to become aware that the 30M is not new money, but moved money.

Also I have seen a post on Travel Gossip Facebook page yesterday, looks like Balkan Holidays are seriously reducing their own Charter Flying and adding more allocations on existing airline schedules. SEN has been canned. I wonder if Balkan was one of the 5 airlines included in this list. Another airline highly highly unlike to be going in.

Be a shame if Balkan do that at Humberside, that would see the peak summer charter schedule literally cut in half! But I don’t think they’ve been selling quite as well as the TUI PMI. That said you’re probably right, DSA was only really strong with TUI but that brings nothing new to the table because that capacity could be absorbed by existing airports should they want the business.

Even if Balkan had done , what use is a weekly Airbus? Hardly worth turning the lights on for in terns if passenger numbers. They dont even operate a full summer season.

Totally agree but let’s not kid ourselves, this is all about having a picture taken next to an Airbus to show what they did. Doesn’t matter if it’s only once a week and it’s cost them millions to host it, the political capital gained would be significant.

 

Be a shame if Balkan do that at Humberside, that would see the peak summer charter schedule literally cut in half! But I don’t think they’ve been selling quite as well as the TUI PMI. That said you’re probably right, DSA was only really strong with TUI but that brings nothing new to the table because that capacity could be absorbed by existing airports should they want the business.


Totally agree but let’s not kid ourselves, this is all about having a picture taken next to an Airbus to show what they did. Doesn’t matter if it’s only once a week and it’s cost them millions to host it, the political capital gained would be significant.

From the post, I believe NOT affected airports are ABZ, BFS, NCL, HUY, MME, MAN, those affected: EDI, GLA, LBA, CWL, LGW & EMA.

BRS & STN arrive on 3rd party it was reported & SEN cancelled.

Agreed a weekly flight doesn't touch the sides in terms of revenue / passenger numbers.

 

I struggle to keep track of all the names, abbreviations and acronyms concerned with the proposed reopening of DSA. Is there any one person, body or authority that will have the final say over whether DSA will or will not reopen? If so, when is this decision likely to be taken?

 

I struggle to keep track of all the names, abbreviations and acronyms concerned with the proposed reopening of DSA. Is there any one person, body or authority that will have the final say over whether DSA will or will not reopen? If so, when is this decision likely to be taken?

Looks like it’s down to SYMCA. That being the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, they are the gatekeepers of the devolved ‘gainshare’ package from which FlyDoncaster (a company wholly owned by Doncaster Council), would borrow to reopen the airport. The £30million announced yesterday was as I understand it the money that was put aside for the rail link after HS2 was cancelled, Coppard had for a couple of years been trying to get that money used for other things, the Government have simply agreed that this can be done. It’s not new funding. Coppard claims that using that money will mean the council (fly Doncaster) won’t need to borrow as much now.

I hope this makes sense. The final funding decision rests with SYMCA as it’s currently undergoing scrutiny by an independent financial auditor on their behalf. However I do wonder whether they’ll go ahead with the planned opening even if they can’t agree terms with airlines or tour operators in that timeframe.

 

Looks like it’s down to SYMCA. That being the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, they are the gatekeepers of the devolved ‘gainshare’ package from which FlyDoncaster (a company wholly owned by Doncaster Council), would borrow to reopen the airport. The £30million announced yesterday was as I understand it the money that was put aside for the rail link after HS2 was cancelled, Coppard had for a couple of years been trying to get that money used for other things, the Government have simply agreed that this can be done. It’s not new funding. Coppard claims that using that money will mean the council (fly Doncaster) won’t need to borrow as much now.

I hope this makes sense. The final funding decision rests with SYMCA as it’s currently undergoing scrutiny by an independent financial auditor on their behalf. However I do wonder whether they’ll go ahead with the planned opening even if they can’t agree terms with airlines or tour operators in that timeframe.

I would think that they have to - it will be a political disaster if they do not and credibility will be lost to some degree for anyone who might be interested in putting aircraft in there. There doesn't seem to be any concern about the amount of money being swallowed up ---at the moment!!

 

I would think that they have to - it will be a political disaster if they do not and credibility will be lost to some degree for anyone who might be interested in putting aircraft in there. There doesn't seem to be any concern about the amount of money being swallowed up ---at the moment!!

The concern all comes later when people are looking for someone to blame because flights are too expensive or an airline pulls out again. It’ll be the same story, no doubt Peel for making the council lease the site and increasing costs. In fact I’d put money on it that happening if it does reopen.

 

Interesting to see people comment this on Chadwick's posts and the questions become unanswered.. obviously he doesn't want to spin the narrative for people to become aware that the 30M is not new money, but moved money.

Also I have seen a post on Travel Gossip Facebook page yesterday, looks like Balkan Holidays are seriously reducing their own Charter Flying and adding more allocations on existing airline schedules. SEN has been canned. I wonder if Balkan was one of the 5 airlines included in this list. Another airline highly highly unlike to be going in.

It's out in the open. One commentator who had obviously done research pinned him into a corner and from the answer to his first question 'this isn't new money?' 'incorrect - this is Government support' he gradually came somewhere near 'clean' ultimately. An increasing number of people are asking when they can book holidays as nothing seems to be on offer for Spring 2026. No answer of any sort seems to be forthcoming.
Perhaps the politicians will come clean after the local elections?

 

It's out in the open. One commentator who had obviously done research pinned him into a corner and from the answer to his first question 'this isn't new money?' 'incorrect - this is Government support' he gradually came somewhere near 'clean' ultimately. An increasing number of people are asking when they can book holidays as nothing seems to be on offer for Spring 2026. No answer of any sort seems to be forthcoming.
Perhaps the politicians will come clean after the local elections?

It might be quicker if they just formed their own airline. They could call it DSA airlines and Fly DSA would take on a whole new meaning. Money being wasted seems not to be an issue. I'm sure they could find a few unloved A380s for long haul flights around the globe.

 

It might be quicker if they just formed their own airline. They could call it DSA airlines and Fly DSA would take on a whole new meaning. Money being wasted seems not to be an issue. I'm sure they could find a few unloved A380s for long haul flights around the globe.

Some bright spark already suggested Global Airlines. But please… Don’t give them any ideas!

 

I'm jolly glad I have zero involvement in the DSA project because there is so much at stake. If the project turns out to be successful, the likes of Coppard, Chadwick etc. will be regarded as local heroes. But I wouldn't want to be any such person if DSA should fail again.

 

I'm jolly glad I have zero involvement in the DSA project because there is so much at stake. If the project turns out to be successful, the likes of Coppard, Chadwick etc. will be regarded as local heroes. But I wouldn't want to be any such person if DSA should fail again.

I don’t know if the phrase zero sum game is most appropriate here. If it reopens nobody wins. The other local airports will have to reduce their fees to maintain competitiveness, the TUI passengers will still be charged a premium for holidays departing DSA. The tax payer will have to foot the bill. Only winner potentially is the person getting voted for.,,