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...?

 

Coppard and Fletcher have had a big spat on social media over this……not very becoming of two individuals who have or had held public office….https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/politics/sy-mayor-and-doncaster-conservative-mayoral-hope-in-fiery-facebook-clash-over-airport-5083886
The fact that Coppard has not said directly that this is new cash or provided any evidence to that effect in this latest spat, plus the fact the U.K. gov release states “…will enable the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) to use their devolved funding to invest in the creation of a sustainable aviation hub” leads me to believe it’s not new money but just an announcement that Coppard to use his devolved funding without and prerequisite.

I just saw part of a video of the recent Mayoral hustings. The mechanic asked a question and Nick Fletcher, in reply, really laid into Ros Jones and Oliver Coppard. Oddly, he used the same phrase I used yesterday, accusing them both of a smoke and mirrors campaign. He made a big deal of the Council refusing to loan the £20m in return for a stake in DSA and said it was their doing that DSA closed in the first place. Because of that, reopening will cost £145m (yeh, and the rest....)

I didn't have the patience to listen to Jones's response, but I can well imagine.it. That's enough.

 

I just saw part of a video of the recent Mayoral hustings. The mechanic asked a question and Nick Fletcher, in reply, really laid into Ros Jones and Oliver Coppard. Oddly, he used the same phrase I used yesterday, accusing them both of a smoke and mirrors campaign. He made a big deal of the Council refusing to loan the £20m in return for a stake in DSA and said it was their doing that DSA closed in the first place. Because of that, reopening will cost £145m (yeh, and the rest....)

I didn't have the patience to listen to Jones's response, but I can well imagine.it. That's enough.

Which Jones because Alexander keeps choking, he cannot even read speeches prepared by someone, it won't be his speech, he left school with 9 GCSEs all at F and G grades

 

Which Jones because Alexander keeps choking, he cannot even read speeches prepared by someone, it won't be his speech, he left school with 9 GCSEs all at F and G grades

Judging by what I’ve seen the only truly eloquent ‘public servant’ I’ve seen involved with this is Oliver Coppard. I know he’s not standing for mayor of Doncaster but the quality of the elected members of the council there truly do Doncaster a disservice.

Ros Jones struggles to talk and is quite clearly seen as a bit of a liability as she’s often seen regurgitating something someone else bas written. Fletcher, whilst asking the right questions at times, is a liability. Reform are the scourge of U.K. politics.

One thing is abundantly clear, no Ros Jones no airport. It’s also clear that the airport reopening is contingent on 100% central government backing. Not a good look, and very party political.

 

Seems the YP has been knocked back on its freedom of information request for the business case, risk report and the Councils submission to the SAU….The reasons given a re vague and misleading- business case contains commercially sensitive information (anyone knows this but can be redacted), the risk report is still WIP and the SAU report would “be likely to negatively impact the ability of the council to offer free and frank provision of advice and an exchange of views in relation to the subsidy.”
All weasel words and excuses…….time they cam clean given the millions of £s of public money being thrown away…..https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/doncaster-sheffield-airport-key-financial-reports-being-kept-secret-by-council-and-mayors-office-5090171

 

Seems the YP has been knocked back on its freedom of information request for the business case, risk report and the Councils submission to the SAU….The reasons given a re vague and misleading- business case contains commercially sensitive information (anyone knows this but can be redacted), the risk report is still WIP and the SAU report would “be likely to negatively impact the ability of the council to offer free and frank provision of advice and an exchange of views in relation to the subsidy.”
All weasel words and excuses…….time they cam clean given the millions of £s of public money being thrown away…..https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/doncaster-sheffield-airport-key-financial-reports-being-kept-secret-by-council-and-mayors-office-5090171

What does the bit in bold mean? Is it suggesting that the council are admitting a bias?

Like you say, anything of a commercially sensitive nature can easily be redacted. I wonder what exactly it is that they’re afraid of people finding out?

 

What does the bit in bold mean? Is it suggesting that the council are admitting a bias?

Like you say, anything of a commercially sensitive nature can easily be redacted. I wonder what exactly it is that they’re afraid of people finding out?

They’ve followed up with an editorial opinion which calls out those DSA supporters in anticipation of their feedback! Goes on to state that obfuscation only feeds rumours and conspiracy theories and that given the sums involved it’s in the interest of all parties to be open on the financial risks involved….

DSA - Freedom of Information request response is a worry

First of all, it must be made unequivocally clear, that there is no suggestion whatsoever that any sleight-of-hand-cum-skulduggery is taking place behind the scenes amidst the ongoing work to reopen Doncaster-Sheffield Airport, with a view to putting planes in the sky over the former RAF...

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk

 

They’ve followed up with an editorial opinion which calls out those DSA supporters in anticipation of their feedback! Goes on to state that obfuscation only feeds rumours and conspiracy theories and that given the sums involved it’s in the interest of all parties to be open on the financial risks involved….

DSA - Freedom of Information request response is a worry

First of all, it must be made unequivocally clear, that there is no suggestion whatsoever that any sleight-of-hand-cum-skulduggery is taking place behind the scenes amidst the ongoing work to reopen Doncaster-Sheffield Airport, with a view to putting planes in the sky over the former RAF...

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk

Could you paste the article in full?

 

Could you paste the article in full?

That would be inappropriate unfortunately as it is subject to copyright.

 

That would be inappropriate unfortunately as it is subject to copyright.

Fair point, well I’m sure it’ll be free to view before too long.

Regards the supporters who seem to flood the comments sections of the YP, they’ve obviously seen through it. They’ve had a rant and letter sent to them by Mark Chadwick and people just start looking silly when they can’t see beyond their noses cos all they want is the airport reopened.

 

Could you paste the article in full?

Paste the URL in here.

 

Paste the URL in here.

Excellent, thanks for sharing.

Both articles make for interesting reading and don’t appear to have been jumped on by the usual suspects. Conspiracy theories abound already which don’t appear to have been picked up by YP. Perhaps they should spend some time digging into the claims that Peel purposefully ran it into the ground as that’s the factor that keeps people engaged in it and wanting it to reopen - it’s a very what if scenario. If they could put that to bed the argument about reopening is all but finished.

We know they tried, but whilst there’s always a chance that they made some underhand decisions then those rumours and conspiracies will hold ground.

As we’ve said, there’s no reason for redacted information not to be released. The council are afraid of something..

 

As we’ve said, there’s no reason for redacted information not to be released. The council are afraid of something..

Amazing how very little information is being made public. It is like they are not wanting the public to get really behind it and support.

Just got to look up the road at Teesside as how much information was released in the run up to purchase. Full 10 year turnaround Business Plan, Aviation Consultancy Report. So people could read it and get in touch with their Council Leaders to show them how much support there is and get them to back the plan. Even since purchase they have been fairly open with information.

What has Doncaster done, say they have said here is the Full Business Case and all they show is just a few pages with words on that isn't even classed anything remotely as a Business Plan.
We have offered to buy it from Peel. When only thing they done was say we will cover the costs to keep airport open for a year whilst a buyer is found. That ain't an offer of purchase.

CDC seems to hiding behind cloaks, daggers, smoke and mirrors with nothing made publicly available to give people a chance to show their support for the project by sending their support pledges to Coppard to release funding.

Nothing I have seen has filled me with any confidence and haven't built any hopes up. I'd say I'm about 15% of hopes of it reopening again.

 

MAI were at routes in Seville representing Doncaster Council and DSA apparently with ‘key accomplishments focussed on building partnerships with airline and airport development teams to fortify DSAs connectivity’.

Wonder how much that cost and how well it actually went given that the funding is still missing. Least they’re promoting themselves I suppose, doing what they’ve been paid to do. Unfortunately neither of the delegates have any expertise in uk airport network development. This may help when talking to foreign airlines, but the litmus test has always been in the actual sales achieved and as outlined many times, new routes from DSA were rarely successful.

Remember when Shaheen announced their agreement with Peel to start a DSA-ISB after a successful ‘Routes’ event?

Doncaster to gain Pakistan flights - TravelMole

Flights to Pakistan are to be launched from Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Shaheen Airlines plans to run at least two flights a week to Islamabad by the end of the year. Details of the full schedule, prices and booking details are to be announced shortly. The airline’s operations...

www.travelmole.com

Well that aged well, just weeks later they announced flights from LBA instead. The FlyGlobespan flights to Toronto mentioned in the article were, I seem to recall, so poorly utilised that they barely ran.

 

MAI were at routes in Seville representing Doncaster Council and DSA apparently with ‘key accomplishments focussed on building partnerships with airline and airport development teams to fortify DSAs connectivity’.

Wonder how much that cost and how well it actually went given that the funding is still missing. Least they’re promoting themselves I suppose, doing what they’ve been paid to do. Unfortunately neither of the delegates have any expertise in uk airport network development. This may help when talking to foreign airlines, but the litmus test has always been in the actual sales achieved and as outlined many times, new routes from DSA were rarely successful.

Remember when Shaheen announced their agreement with Peel to start a DSA-ISB after a successful ‘Routes’ event?

Doncaster to gain Pakistan flights - TravelMole

Flights to Pakistan are to be launched from Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Shaheen Airlines plans to run at least two flights a week to Islamabad by the end of the year. Details of the full schedule, prices and booking details are to be announced shortly. The airline’s operations...

www.travelmole.com

Well that aged well, just weeks later they announced flights from LBA instead. The FlyGlobespan flights to Toronto mentioned in the article were, I seem to recall, so poorly utilised that they barely ran.

Every airport and airline in the UK attends routes both RoutesEurope and RoutesGlobal….the previous DSA management team attend all the previous events - I very much doubt MAI will have achieved anything from their attendance given it tends to be existing relationships that drive outcomes from these events…
Next Routes World event is in Hong Kong in September- wonder if DSA will be there and if that’s a good use of tax payers cash…..

 

Every airport and airline in the UK attends routes both RoutesEurope and RoutesGlobal….the previous DSA management team attend all the previous events - I very much doubt MAI will have achieved anything from their attendance given it tends to be existing relationships that drive outcomes from these events…
Next Routes World event is in Hong Kong in September- wonder if DSA will be there and if that’s a good use of tax payers cash…..

Yes I do wonder was it a photo opportunity to help CDC promote DSA some more to local stakeholders? I doubt MAI were there solely to promote DSA. Meanwhile Ros Jones has stated in interview that she is the only person in the running for Mayor capable of delivering a reopened DSA, I think this is accurate and serves to prove that the money is being withheld for tactical political purposes.

I see that there has been someone posting about using a drone for some publicity shots of DSA promoted by the mechanic. He’s warned people not to fly drones in the vicinity without the prior permission of 2Excel or CDC. Appears he’s been shot down again for misinforming and rightly so. When asked what the airport will cost, the response the person got was ‘it will generate £9 for every £1 spent’.

 

Yes I do wonder was it a photo opportunity to help CDC promote DSA some more to local stakeholders? I doubt MAI were there solely to promote DSA. Meanwhile Ros Jones has stated in interview that she is the only person in the running for Mayor capable of delivering a reopened DSA, I think this is accurate and serves to prove that the money is being withheld for tactical political purposes.

I see that there has been someone posting about using a drone for some publicity shots of DSA promoted by the mechanic. He’s warned people not to fly drones in the vicinity without the prior permission of 2Excel or CDC. Appears he’s been shot down again for misinforming and rightly so. When asked what the airport will cost, the response the person got was ‘it will generate £9 for every £1 spent’.

The cost to benefit ratio is an interesting one. One presumes that the calculation embraces many complex (and creative) elements - such as assumptions that the developments around the airport are successful and subsidise the airport to the required extend. It would seem logical to my mind that if the 'input' cost in respect of the airport increases, that will not increase the 'output' and therefore the benefit decreases. Double the input = half the cost benefit? Of course it might work the other way depending what elements are included in the calculations - a more successful outcome on the development land (if that's included) might balance out any increased airport input negatives. I doubt that CDC know themselves what the final cost will be! It might become clearer when (and if) the FBC emerges from behind the wall of secrecy. I suspect that there must be a mandatory period during which it has to be published for scrutiny before the final SYMCA decision?
Not sure whether Ms Jones is the only one capable of opening the airport - for sure she is the only one prepared to open it at any cost!!

 

Just more political posturing. Adjust the narrative so it reads well for your own personal gain!

 

The cost to benefit ratio is an interesting one. One presumes that the calculation embraces many complex (and creative) elements - such as assumptions that the developments around the airport are successful and subsidise the airport to the required extend. It would seem logical to my mind that if the 'input' cost in respect of the airport increases, that will not increase the 'output' and therefore the benefit decreases. Double the input = half the cost benefit? Of course it might work the other way depending what elements are included in the calculations - a more successful outcome on the development land (if that's included) might balance out any increased airport input negatives. I doubt that CDC know themselves what the final cost will be! It might become clearer when (and if) the FBC emerges from behind the wall of secrecy. I suspect that there must be a mandatory period during which it has to be published for scrutiny before the final SYMCA decision?
Not sure whether Ms Jones is the only one capable of opening the airport - for sure she is the only one prepared to open it at any cost!!

I agree, but with all that said the thing that will bother people the most is how much is being invested in real terms, and how much is being generated by the airport as a business. There is no way they will be able to use the GVA argument when the airport is costing £300 million to operate but posting £10 million in annual losses, then a significant capital investment is required when the runway needs resurfacing or they’re forced to upgrade expensive equipment to ensure regulatory compliance.. It can very quickly become an unpopular money pit and they won’t be able to use the much vaunted potential of ‘Gateway East’ to hide the inconvenient stuff in their financial reports.

I don’t believe the plans will be made public before the decision to approve the funding. It’ll be like before handed out to councillors with no ability to take it away and digest it.

Doncaster Sheffield Airport – Masterplan & Plans for Rail Link

Work is continuing at pace to get our airport ready to reopen in Spring 2026.

Our plan is for more than just an airport, but an economic hub for aviation industry, delivering jobs, opportunity and prosperity for Doncaster.

We are working on an updated masterplan for what the airport alongside Gateway East could look like once fully developed, this also includes land allocated for a rail link and station to connect with both the Lincoln Line and East Coast Mainline (ECML), which would dramatically increase access for the region and beyond to our airport.

In 2022 the previous Government announced £30m of CRSTS1 funding for a rail link to the Lincoln Line (Total scheme cost estimated at circa £150m). This is a Department for Transport retained scheme and as such not devolved funding. Our ambition remains for a rail link to both the Lincoln Line and ECML (Total scheme cost estimated at circa £1bn).

Earlier this month we welcomed the Prime Minister Keir Starmer & Angela Rayner to Doncaster, who announced £30m of funding to help us reopen our airport, to be delivered in 2025/26 via South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) Integrated Settlement from Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. This additional upfront investment has the added benefit of reducing the need for Doncaster Gainshaire funding by £56.5m over the medium-term, meaning more money to invest in communities and growth across Doncaster.

I am aware of accusations from some that this is ‘not new money’ despite having no evidence to back up their claims, well I can guarantee that this £30m is new money for Doncaster Sheffield Airport!

We are currently in conversations with UK Government and SYMCA around future transport investment, this includes our plans for DSA rail link to both the Lincoln Line and ECML as well as other schemes across Doncaster.

The first step is of course to reopen our airport, then we can invest to improve connectivity and deliver the successful international airport that we know DSA can be!

Below is the masterplan that was drafted back in 2019/20 and submitted to the previous Government alongside an Outline Business Case for an ECML rail connection which was rejected. There is also the artists impression of what the station at DSA could look like.

#DoncasterIsGreat #Delivering4Doncaster #SaveDSA #saveDSA SAVE Doncaster Sheffield Airport

The idiot incumbent mayor of Doncaster is on one today. Do not only is the new money not new money as confirmed by herself, she’s also putting a rail link (total combined cost £1bn) back on the agenda in spite of it being thrown out by the DfT for lacking viability just a few years ago. It’s not unreasonable to suspect that the same people who threw it out for lacking value for money will be the same people looking at it again when they submit their plans..

I despair, and I’m sure this promise will get her re-elected next week.

 

I agree, but with all that said the thing that will bother people the most is how much is being invested in real terms, and how much is being generated by the airport as a business. There is no way they will be able to use the GVA argument when the airport is costing £300 million to operate but posting £10 million in annual losses, then a significant capital investment is required when the runway needs resurfacing or they’re forced to upgrade expensive equipment to ensure regulatory compliance.. It can very quickly become an unpopular money pit and they won’t be able to use the much vaunted potential of ‘Gateway East’ to hide the inconvenient stuff in their financial reports.

I don’t believe the plans will be made public before the decision to approve the funding. It’ll be like before handed out to councillors with no ability to take it away and digest it.


The idiot incumbent mayor of Doncaster is on one today. Do not only is the new money not new money as confirmed by herself, she’s also putting a rail link (total combined cost £1bn) back on the agenda in spite of it being thrown out by the DfT for lacking viability just a few years ago. It’s not unreasonable to suspect that the same people who threw it out for lacking value for money will be the same people looking at it again when they submit their plans..

I despair, and I’m sure this promise will get her re-elected next week.

Yes - I'm Apolitical when it comes to posting comments but this update is a 'cracker' as one Comedian used to say. Complete pie in the sky and years and years in the future - if ever - a blatant electioneering ploy!! I guess folk will have forgotten CDCs own passenger projections which in no way justify a station on any line!

 

I agree, but with all that said the thing that will bother people the most is how much is being invested in real terms, and how much is being generated by the airport as a business. There is no way they will be able to use the GVA argument when the airport is costing £300 million to operate but posting £10 million in annual losses, then a significant capital investment is required when the runway needs resurfacing or they’re forced to upgrade expensive equipment to ensure regulatory compliance.. It can very quickly become an unpopular money pit and they won’t be able to use the much vaunted potential of ‘Gateway East’ to hide the inconvenient stuff in their financial reports.

I don’t believe the plans will be made public before the decision to approve the funding. It’ll be like before handed out to councillors with no ability to take it away and digest it.


The idiot incumbent mayor of Doncaster is on one today. Do not only is the new money not new money as confirmed by herself, she’s also putting a rail link (total combined cost £1bn) back on the agenda in spite of it being thrown out by the DfT for lacking viability just a few years ago. It’s not unreasonable to suspect that the same people who threw it out for lacking value for money will be the same people looking at it again when they submit their plans..

I despair, and I’m sure this promise will get her re-elected next week.

All these false promises from the Mayor - are we sure it isnt Ben Houchen in drag