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...?

 

Well, someone needs to ask awkward questions!

But nobody will believe they have merit judging by what @Snackbar is referring to. Like I say, unless the council and MAI really manage to pull something out of the bag they’re going to continuously be looking for someone to blame because they can’t comprehend that the small town or village they live in that’s most convenient for DSA isn’t enough to make airlines want to take the plunge and risk millions.

Like I say, fools.

 

But nobody will believe they have merit judging by what @Snackbar is referring to. Like I say, unless the council and MAI really manage to pull something out of the bag they’re going to continuously be looking for someone to blame because they can’t comprehend that the small town or village they live in that’s most convenient for DSA isn’t enough to make airlines want to take the plunge and risk millions.

Like I say, fools.

It’s worth a quick perusal of Spanners site just to humour yourself …..all the usual anti LBA nonsense is back again……apparently the Councils who previously owned LBA spent millions of £s on it…..they obviously failed to research their facts again..If they did they would have seen all previous investment at LBA was self financed and when the airport was sold it netted the Council shareholders a £145m bonus.
Seems they are a jealous lot down the A1 not just of the airport but Leeds in general….

 

But nobody will believe they have merit judging by what @Snackbar is referring to. Like I say, unless the council and MAI really manage to pull something out of the bag they’re going to continuously be looking for someone to blame because they can’t comprehend that the small town or village they live in that’s most convenient for DSA isn’t enough to make airlines want to take the plunge and risk millions.

Like I say, fools.

Indeed.

I'm sure it won't be long before they claim that the reopening shifting back to 2027 is great news.

It will be interesting to see who puts together their application for airspace given how hard the CAA are to please, AND the ongoing Airspace Change Process which they'll have to tie in with. If they make a mess of it snd have to resubmit that'll add another 6 months of delay. Given LBA are now on their 3rd attempt because the CAA keep moving the goalposts, getting approval first time seems unlikely, even if they do submit sensible evidence to support it. But never mind Dropping back to 2028 would no doubt be great news.

It’s worth a quick perusal of Spanners site just to humour yourself …..all the usual anti LBA nonsense is back again……apparently the Councils who previously owned LBA spent millions of £s on it…..they obviously failed to research their facts again..If they did they would have seen all previous investment at LBA was self financed and when the airport was sold it netted the Council shareholders a £145m bonus.
Seems they are a jealous lot down the A1 not just of the airport but Leeds in general….

They're all bitter snd twisted aren't they? It's MAN that steals the vast majority of demand so they should focus attention there rather than LBA. Absolutely pathetic.

 

DSA doesn't feature on MAI's projects map. Only UK project is in London going off the map.

Put Doncaster in search bar of website, no results found.

Project references

We successfully support our clients in overcoming their challenges — shaping their future together with them.

www.munich-airport.com

 

DSA doesn't feature on MAI's projects map. Only UK project is in London going off the map.

Put Doncaster in search bar of website, no results found.

Project references

We successfully support our clients in overcoming their challenges — shaping their future together with them.

www.munich-airport.com

Oh someone really needs to put this link on a certain DSA supporter's social media group....

But realistically this tells us everything we need to know. MAI are working with CDC in an advisory role only, they clearly have no intentions on splashing any investment into DSA, but will happily take the consultancy fees. And I think the penny is starting to drop amongst at least some of the ardent support base for DSA, the constant delays, lack of action, lack of any interest from any airline, the lack of funding from anywhere in the aviation industry, and the constant stalling from local politicians whilst they try to "secure" a big bag of public money to throw at the project. All this is clearly taking a toll on them.

And if the hardcore support is wavering, I can only imagine what is being said behind closed doors in the aviation industry.

 

It’s worth a quick perusal of Spanners site just to humour yourself …..all the usual anti LBA nonsense is back again……apparently the Councils who previously owned LBA spent millions of £s on it…..they obviously failed to research their facts again..If they did they would have seen all previous investment at LBA was self financed and when the airport was sold it netted the Council shareholders a £145m bonus.
Seems they are a jealous lot down the A1 not just of the airport but Leeds in general….

Very true. LBA was a limited company under council ownership. Councillor Denise Atkinson ( deceaced ) told me they had to sell because as a limited company they wouldn't be able to raise the funds to do what was required at the time.

Funiliy enough I believe DSA received a decent grant from the European Union ERDF but Doncaster and the surrounding areas voted in great numbers to leave the EU. The irony.

 

DSA doesn't feature on MAI's projects map. Only UK project is in London going off the map.

Put Doncaster in search bar of website, no results found.

Project references

We successfully support our clients in overcoming their challenges — shaping their future together with them.

www.munich-airport.com

Ah yes, but you're forgetting that DSA once open would become London North Doncaster Sheffield Robin Hood Airport, so perhaps that's why a German operator is getting confused about the location of their project.

 

I do wonder what their London project is? As it’s not explained I just assumed it was Doncaster but they haven’t actually elaborated on it.

They never invest because, as they’re ultimately owned by the people of Munich, they’re a financially risk averse organisation and so they tend to be appointed by investors. Obviously I don’t need to explain here that the investors in this case are the people of Doncaster.

I just don’t think MAI see this as a big project and they don’t appear to have allocated many resources to it, it’s not like they’re getting paid megabucks. However if CDC, Dan Fell and Oliver Coppard want to be taken seriously they should really be ensuring they are represented at these various trade and development events by reps from MAI.

Just watched the piece from Calendar shown last night. Whilst I agree that Coppard didn’t really give any negative vibes on it, trotting out the usual, the interviewer was taking quite a skeptical tone and did so again in the studio. It does make me wonder whether they’ve been tipped off about something else going on? Could be me reading too much into it but it did seem that way.

I note that Coppard didn’t acknowledge the point that was made to him regarding the previous owners finding it wasn’t financially viable. He did go on to say that DSA could work with LBA and EMA which is quite a strange thing to come out with.

 

I do wonder what their London project is? As it’s not explained I just assumed it was Doncaster but they haven’t actually elaborated on it.

They never invest because, as they’re ultimately owned by the people of Munich, they’re a financially risk averse organisation and so they tend to be appointed by investors. Obviously I don’t need to explain here that the investors in this case are the people of Doncaster.

I just don’t think MAI see this as a big project and they don’t appear to have allocated many resources to it, it’s not like they’re getting paid megabucks. However if CDC, Dan Fell and Oliver Coppard want to be taken seriously they should really be ensuring they are represented at these various trade and development events by reps from MAI.

Just watched the piece from Calendar shown last night. Whilst I agree that Coppard didn’t really give any negative vibes on it, trotting out the usual, the interviewer was taking quite a skeptical tone and did so again in the studio. It does make me wonder whether they’ve been tipped off about something else going on? Could be me reading too much into it but it did seem that way.

I note that Coppard didn’t acknowledge the point that was made to him regarding the previous owners finding it wasn’t financially viable. He did go on to say that DSA could work with LBA and EMA which is quite a strange thing to come out with.

They can have our diverts if they want, but its unlikely the airlines at LBA see it that way..

 

They can have our diverts if they want, but its unlikely the airlines at LBA see it that way..

Yea wondered where their memory of DSA taking loads of LBA diverts came from? I certainly recall Jet2 diverts going to EMA MAN and NCL but never DSA? Same with Ryanair. Yet somehow it can be the saviour in that respect.

 

Yea wondered where their memory of DSA taking loads of LBA diverts came from? I certainly recall Jet2 diverts going to EMA MAN and NCL but never DSA? Same with Ryanair. Yet somehow it can be the saviour in that respect.

In the very early days there were some occasions (not sure how many - but not many) when Jet 2 diverted in there. These folk probably didn't know DSA existed when the 'beast from the east' struck and it was SNOCLO for the best part of a week. I remember Wizz operated a few flights from LBA in that period. Also there have been diverts into LBA due to insufficient fire cover but none of that counts!

 

In the very early days there were some occasions (not sure how many - but not many) when Jet 2 diverted in there. These folk probably didn't know DSA existed when the 'beast from the east' struck and it was SNOCLO for the best part of a week. I remember Wizz operated a few flights from LBA in that period. Also there have been diverts into LBA due to insufficient fire cover but none of that counts!

Yet at LBA up at nearly 700' anove sea level, the airport reopened relatively quickly during the 2010 Beast from the East. Funny how DSA supporters manage to reverse reality when they rattle on about poor weather at LBA and invent hundreds of imaginary LBA diverts that never happened. Once Jet2 established bases at other airports with their own ground crews, that's where they diverted to. Not DSA.

 

Competitor airports working with each other? aye alright you clown.. wake up and stop scraping the bottom of the barrel with any excuse you can possibly think off, its tedious and boring IMO. All these excuses they're coming with with firms that there is insufficient demand for the actual airport itself.

 

This latest article seems like a fair assessment

Reform UK, power struggle and Doncaster's airport battle

BBC Yorkshire's Political Editor James Vincent examines the big questions facing Doncaster.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

This latest article seems like a fair assessment

Reform UK, power struggle and Doncaster's airport battle

BBC Yorkshire's Political Editor James Vincent examines the big questions facing Doncaster.

www.bbc.co.uk

The point re 3D scanners now being a requirement is one I've made several times. They're usually on a long order time and in excess of £1m each apparently. However if they dont exist, you can't train the staff to use them! You also can't train staff who haven't got government security approval, which previously took around 3 months. Or if you do, you run the risk of wasting time and money training people who may subsequently be refused clearance. The scanners are also extremely heavy and there's been instances where terminal floors needed surveying and then strengthening before they could be installed.

So, if they follow the usual process, they'll get the floor strength surveyed, order the scanners, advertise the jobs, interview candidates, apply for security clearance, install the scanners when delivered, then train the staff. You're talking many months there. But why would you spend millions on scanners before the funding is confirmed? You wouldn't. And you can't train up staff then tell them all to go home until the airport finally opens. Timing is everything. And that timing suggests that opening in 2026 is becoming less likely even if they do find any airlines to fly there.

 

In the very early days there were some occasions (not sure how many - but not many) when Jet 2 diverted in there. These folk probably didn't know DSA existed when the 'beast from the east' struck and it was SNOCLO for the best part of a week. I remember Wizz operated a few flights from LBA in that period. Also there have been diverts into LBA due to insufficient fire cover but none of that counts!

The point re 3D scanners now being a requirement is one I've made several times. They're usually on a long order time and in excess of £1m each apparently. However if they dont exist, you can't train the staff to use them! You also can't train staff who haven't got government security approval, which previously took around 3 months. Or if you do, you run the risk of wasting time and money training people who may subsequently be refused clearance. The scanners are also extremely heavy and there's been instances where terminal floors needed surveying and then strengthening before they could be installed.

So, if they follow the usual process, they'll get the floor strength surveyed, order the scanners, advertise the jobs, interview candidates, apply for security clearance, install the scanners when delivered, then train the staff. You're talking many months there. But why would you spend millions on scanners before the funding is confirmed? You wouldn't. And you can't train up staff then tell them all to go home until the airport finally opens. Timing is everything. And that timing suggests that opening in 2026 is becoming less likely even if they do find any airlines to fly there.

I’d agree. I think if the funding is approved this summer and, assuming there are no additional costs, they are able to fully commit to the reopening, it won’t be able to reopen properly until Spring/Summer 2027 at the very earliest.

Paul Mason mentioned security, and he’s quite right as a specialist he will know the market and what it takes to recruit and train people, but that is only one aspect of the technical challenges they will face to get the airport reopened.

ATC will be a major hurdle I expect, and something I don’t believe they will have fully planned for just yet. You can’t simply magic up ATCOs out of thin air, the jobs market is one of under supply and this works in favour of the employee who command higher wages and clearly these are absorbed by the established airports that can afford to budget for this. They could do a London City and go fully remote, it would probably cut out the recruitment problems but it will come at significant cost, and although I’m by no means talking from any experience I can only imagine the regulatory hurdles that will have to be jumped to get to the point of approval and operation. As Paul Mason said, this would go against the idea of creating opportunities for local people, because invariably those services would be provided by companies in other areas of the country. Indeed, London City operates within the London TMA and I’m not sure whether this had some part to play in enabling LCY to go fully remote? As we now know, DSA will be uncontrolled for the foreseeable future short of having the usual ATZ.

Then we now know that the CAA, as expected, will be wiping the airspace completely in the next few months meaning the OPCO will have to apply from scratch. This will take years not months and whilst it does not preclude airlines from operating into DSA, it will make the case for them to base there a tough sell - as we already know it was never really an attractive proposition for them previously even with the excellent facilities on offer!

I think this is another toxic example of ‘proving the naysayers wrong’, we’re seeing it with Global Airlines and we’re seeing it with DSA. Airports, in the U.K. at least, have far reaching consequences outside of their region. I fully believe the people behind this do not understand and/or are unwilling to consider that the success or otherwise of DSA really does depend on what happens at LBA, EMA and MAN. They proved over 17 years that they are the attractive commercial proposition. I still want to know what’s changed.

 

The valid point about financing the scanners was reinforced by an acquaintance I bumped into last week who supplies airports with certain high value articles essential for obtaining an airfield license for passenger flights - which Peel sold off. He is hopeful that he will be successful when tenders go out - but they will not go out until funding is approved by SYMCA and is actually available. Lead time from acceptance by FlyDoncaster (or whoever) is approximately 12 months apparently. So - assuming the point when the funding becomes available is September or October, projected 12 month forward means the timescale might be tight even for spring 2027 to train to the approved standard and then complete licencing requirements. As has been alluded to in earlier posts it does seem doubtful that airlines will sell flights in the hope that licencing will be completed by then so even a delay to 2028 is not out of the question. The chap from Flyplymouth seems to be the lead.

 

As is becoming increasingly apparent, the problem is coordinating all the necessary steps so that the airport is ready to go, fully equipped, fully staffed (who are all fully security approved snd trained), ATC sorted, airspace sorted, airline and ground handling and retail contracts signed, fuel suppliers sorted, car parks and public transport sorted, and all of these ready to go ftom a particular date. Not easy when much of the equipment has to be ordered, all with different lead times, and staff all to be recruited and trained.

Where do you start when you probably have no idea how many airlines will use it? If they staff and equip for just TUi any future growth will require more of everything, and I can't help but wonder if the people they've signed up are up to the job. It's a huge undertaking. A massive logistical puzzle pulling it all together to meet a specific date deadline. If any one thing goes wrong, or there's any delay with deliveries, it can derail the entire project leaving airlines potentially refunding or compensating passengers.

Good luck. They're going to need it. Frankly, I dont think the likes of Ros Jones have a clue how tough this is going to be. The more it slides back, the more irate the natives will get and the more political pressure she, and Coppard will be under.

 

Most important date is the Lease Escape date. Think that is either 2030 or 2031.
This means there is no guarantees beyond that date.

Aerodrome License - Not yet applied for.

Controlled Airspace Zones - Not yet applied for. Could be 18 months to 2 years from application.

Fire Service - None. New Tenders, could be at least 12 months from ordering.

Security Equipment - Could take at least 12 months from ordering to installation.

ATC Equipment & Staff - None. Could take upto 2 years potentially.

Funding - Might be September/ October before granting, if its not pushed back again.

So if funding is granted in October, then might as well say the new year before things get rolling.

So with lead times of two years, you are talking 2028 as the earliest for Passenger operations.

Now that leaves operators in a quandary of 2 maybes 3 years tops of access before plug could be potentially pulled.

Airlines are not going to want to open an aircraft base with potentially only 3 years of operation available.

The closeness of the lease escape clause date is what is going to cause the most uncertainty.

Airlines will want certainty before committing. 2 - 3 years is not certainty in the aviation world.

Who on earth agreed on a lease with apparently just one escape date (if that is true) which is soo early.

 

Most important date is the Lease Escape date. Think that is either 2030 or 2031.
This means there is no guarantees beyond that date.

Aerodrome License - Not yet applied for.

Controlled Airspace Zones - Not yet applied for. Could be 18 months to 2 years from application.

Fire Service - None. New Tenders, could be at least 12 months from ordering.

Security Equipment - Could take at least 12 months from ordering to installation.

ATC Equipment & Staff - None. Could take upto 2 years potentially.

Funding - Might be September/ October before granting, if its not pushed back again.

So if funding is granted in October, then might as well say the new year before things get rolling.

So with lead times of two years, you are talking 2028 as the earliest for Passenger operations.

Now that leaves operators in a quandary of 2 maybes 3 years tops of access before plug could be potentially pulled.

Airlines are not going to want to open an aircraft base with potentially only 3 years of operation available.

The closeness of the lease escape clause date is what is going to cause the most uncertainty.

Airlines will want certainty before committing. 2 - 3 years is not certainty in the aviation world.

Who on earth agreed on a lease with apparently just one escape date (if that is true) which is soo early.

Coppard was challenged on the break clause fairly recently and said ‘this isn’t true’ but then refused to elaborate.. I suspect you’re right, there will be an early get out that Peel will have negotiated because peel know it’s a non starter but don’t want to be seen consistently as the ‘bad guy’. Problem is as Coppard hasn’t bothered to elaborate on the actual terms of the lease then we must assume that the break clause is as you say, in which case the airport will have to open by x date otherwise it’ll be handed back and redeveloped. For all that’s said about Peel, nobody seems willing to accept that they appear to have taken a very pragmatic approach to the councils requests and they look to be earning far below the rate they’d earn if they turned the land over for something else. Doesn’t add up.