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've been reading much the same stuff. It seems that because the removal of CAS is broadly in line with what Chairman Ros said would happen, everything is hunkydory and reason for celebration. That's the impression I'm getting from the DSA supporters - but those who aren't fooled are now coming out and saying so.

The denial from some folk is unreal. I pity them because I feel how much they want their airport back but a reality check is needed.

 

I've been reading much the same stuff. It seems that because the removal of CAS is broadly in line with what Chairman Ros said would happen, everything is hunkydory and reason for celebration. That's the impression I'm getting from the DSA supporters - but those who aren't fooled are now coming out and saying so.

The denial from some folk is unreal. I pity them because I feel how much they want their airport back but a reality check is needed.

She said it to back peddle. I mean why have a petition to call in the decision only to celebrate when it’s not called in? Now he’s saying that it’s ok cos Cyrrus are working on it, but that’s another Ros Jones-ism. Didn’t they remove the statement of need for some reason?

It’s bizarre, anything they request will presumably have to be hosted on the ACP Portal to allow sufficient time for people to review the proposals. So far nothing new as far as I can see has been added to the portal and the statement of need has been removed. Yet we’re told this is a good thing?

I know it doesn’t need CAS to be operational and/or host passenger flights. But we know the challenges they had previously just to get airlines interested, this is yet another barrier and this was a barrier as outlined in the councils own OBC a couple of years ago. Were to assume that the OBC was completed by an aviation consultancy on behalf of CDC so what’s changed?

 

Stuff like this reminds me of Dr Who and The Genesis of The Daleks. One of the apparatchik scientists was so obsequious he stated that 'Davros is always right. About everything.' Even the good folk of North Korea aren't that sycophantic to their leader.

Mark Chadwick must be running out of steam if he has to keep trotting out the same statement in answer to any question. The only word missing is 'comrades'. I sense exasperation.

 

LBA is about to submit its 3rd proposal to the CAA for its revised procedures relative to the Airspace Change Programme (ACP). But first their proposals have to go through the consultation process and potentially, be revised to reflect any comments. Its taken several years already due to the CAA constantly moving the goalposts.

Its going to be necessary for DSA to not only come up with a request for whatever airspace they think they need, but also to first go through consultation. Including with neighbouring airports, and then justify it, and show how it will fit into the ACP too. If they get approval first time it'll be a minor miracle.

I would think thst the previous statement of need may have to be revised because what they submitted didn't do any of the above. No consultation. No liaison with other airports. No justification. No consideration for the ACP. Basically, no good.

 

The statement of need is still on the ACP;

Airspace change proposal public view

Find details of proposed changes to UK airspace that could affect you.

airspacechange.caa.co.uk

However it hasn’t moved from the initial stage.

 

The statement of need is still on the ACP;

Airspace change proposal public view

Find details of proposed changes to UK airspace that could affect you.

airspacechange.caa.co.uk

However it hasn’t moved from the initial stage.

Didn't someone say a few days ago it was no longer there?

 

Didn't someone say a few days ago it was no longer there?

Yes, but it needs searching for properly.

 

I see the local MP is at it again — this time meeting with Tui to “invite” them to meet the DSA team. Strange as I seem to recollect Mayor Ross suggesting Tui were all lined up and ready to come straight back when the airport re-opened……

 

I see the local MP is at it again — this time meeting with Tui to “invite” them to meet the DSA team. Strange as I seem to recollect Mayor Ross suggesting Tui were all lined up and ready to come straight back when the airport re-opened……

More political backside covering. It’s all about protecting themselves in case Coppard pulls the plug in September, I don’t even think it’s an attempt to influence, because what are MAI being paid for if not developing a commercial strategy?

 

It continues to amaze me how a non existent airport generates so much thread content. I know there is potentially a lot of something,/nothing going on behind the scenes and I am equally adding to that content now, but really!

 

It continues to amaze me how a non existent airport generates so much thread content. I know there is potentially a lot of something,/nothing going on behind the scenes and I am equally adding to that content now, but really!

In the US I think they refer to it as a nothing burger.

 

Those who are interested in the discussion can continue the debate and continue to enjoy posting, those who are not interested, are not being forced to read it. Simples, everyone’s happy

 

Those who are interested in the discussion can continue the debate and continue to enjoy posting, those who are not interested, are not being forced to read it. Simples, everyone’s happy

Very true. That is why we're here.

 

Nick Fletcher has now stuck the knife in Ros Jones metaphorically speaking, and twisted it, over the removal of the airspace by the CAA.

The public comments indicate an increasing realisation that DSA might not actually open. There are those of course, who quote that this is all perfectly normal and part of the process, no doubt because that's what they're being told, but they conveniently ignore the begging letter previously sent to the Minister for Transport asking that she call it in to prevent the CAA removing the airspace, and listing all the nasty things that would result from them doing so.

Selective memory loss seems prevalent in the Doncaster area.

 

Very true. That is why we're here.

I for one really enjoying reading this DSA thread because of the actual aviation enthusiasts that know half / more of the industry then these clowns in Doncaster council. It’s a very interesting watch to see what they are trying to achieve / risk so much public money on something that is doomed to fail. Fascinating

 

Nick Fletcher MP has now stuck the knife in Ros Jones metaphorically speaking, and twisted it, over the removal of the airspace by the CAA.

(not an MP)

 

(not an MP)

Amended.

 

Nick Fletcher has now stuck the knife in Ros Jones metaphorically speaking, and twisted it, over the removal of the airspace by the CAA.

The public comments indicate an increasing realisation that DSA might not actually open. There are those of course, who quote that this is all perfectly normal and part of the process, no doubt because that's what they're being told, but they conveniently ignore the begging letter previously sent to the Minister for Transport asking that she call it in to prevent the CAA removing the airspace, and listing all the nasty things that would result from them doing so.

Selective memory loss seems prevalent in the Doncaster area.

He’s just putting the boot in, he seems to have contradicted himself in his own narrative, first saying the airport needed saving desperately and now seemingly suggesting it was merely a smokescreen for political gain and cannot be saved. Just politics even though he’s no longer a politician. Some good comments from both sides of the argument on his post though including by people who, reading between the lines, were involved in the process previously.

I’m not sure @Finger66 meant any offence by their comment, they tend to like a lot of posts on this thread.

Anyhow. Elsewhere SY business leaders are suggesting that ‘mood music coming from the mayors [Coppard] office indicate that the airport might not happen’. I don’t think we can call it, it’s very much 50/50 from where I’m standing but weve already seen a significant amount of compelling evidence, at least to my mind, that it’s not going to work. Unless there’s some serious secretive interest unlike before I dont see how it can receive a positive outcome in September, but Coppard has been involved in doing a lot of the talking up of the project previously and the people of Donny will never forget..

 

I’d be surprised if it does go ahead, that it will not be challenged by other airports. Bristol are challenging £200 million over 10 years from Llywodraeth Cymru (Welsh Government) as they are stating it as distorting the market/competition.

 

There has been a comment made about unreasonable commercial constraints being placed upon airlines for training. Whilst this may be the case for some airlines (no way of verifying) I can categorically confirm that this was not the case for one major airline as I was in earshot of a very high up asking a number of high ups in the training department why they weren’t using Doncaster anymore due to the ‘good deal’ and instead using other airports much further away for base training details. This was just days before the announcement of the strategic review a few years ago. For this reason I have no reason to believe this was the case at the time for other airlines, though the timeline may conflict with Peels growth agenda when Flybe were in the midst of project blackbird at DSA and so commercial movements naturally were up (2017/18). Alas this was not the case end 2019 and beyond. I was based there with heavy traffic base training after this time.

The commercials at DSA were solid and competitive.

Decisions of where to complete base training is often a factor of continuity and weather. Some airlines will only stay within the U.K. and Ireland, others tend to like to head to southern Spain or France where the weather is better. A pal of mine did his base training for the big orange lot at Corvera, an excellent facility that I was fortunate enough to have audited before its grand opening but nontheless hardly a commercial success in the shadow of ALC. It’s a great place to throw an airbus around the circuit undisturbed though, and to have a grande cerveza afterwards.