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...?

 

Notice frantic activity now on the Campaign page with the leader gathering the hordes including Chamber of Commerce etc. etc. in writing to the Councillors to tell them to put political differences behind them and do the right thing for the future of Doncaster and vote to accept the funding. That's all well and good but I will wager that not one of these people/organisations have seen the costed Business Plan and Consultants reports upon which they can make a judgement as to whether it is the best thing for Doncaster. I recall seeing that the Chair of the CDC Audit Committee (or similar) had to fight to get sight of it and his comments were less than complimentary. However, the leader of the same political group thinks it is a good idea because he and his wife used to go on holiday from there!!! A really well thought out opinion on something that carries a huge risk whichever direction you are coming from - but isn't that politics!

 

Notice frantic activity now on the Campaign page with the leader gathering the hordes including Chamber of Commerce etc. etc. in writing to the Councillors to tell them to put political differences behind them and do the right thing for the future of Doncaster and vote to accept the funding. That's all well and good but I will wager that not one of these people/organisations have seen the costed Business Plan and Consultants reports upon which they can make a judgement as to whether it is the best thing for Doncaster. I recall seeing that the Chair of the CDC Audit Committee (or similar) had to fight to get sight of it and his comments were less than complimentary. However, the leader of the same political group thinks it is a good idea because he and his wife used to go on holiday from there!!! A really well thought out opinion on something that carries a huge risk whichever direction you are coming from - but isn't that politics!

Yes I think some people are reading too much into this, I don’t believe there’s been any signs of Regurge/Tory wavering on it but it’s just a display of them not counting their chickens and a good splash of pre-emptive blame shifting to apply pressure on a vote yes. Let’s face it as terribly unrealistic (or downright false) as it is they have framed it as the single biggest investment opportunity in South Yorkshire for a generation. Obviously let’s forget that it was a commercial failure and just blame Peel when though a successful airport is far more valuable than a bunch of modular warehousing and residential, clearly none of that matters and all the public apparently want is an airport.

It’s unlikely this will lose next week based on the political pressure to see it through.

 

It will be alright on the night @Rob c DSA ! - or will it?? I think the complete lack of transparency is the thing for me that cries out that democracy is not alive and well in Doncaster! The whole process seems to have been conducted in 'Putinesque' fashion - where is the business plan - warts and all - instead of specially cherry-picked bits intended to be positive but are ambiguous or misleading so that everyone - including the die-hards can see the full picture, risks and all? It's far more reaching than a few holiday flights! If there is a majority in favour, then fair enough. CDC seem to be becoming reactive now in defending the increasing number of questions being asked but at the end of the day when the funding is accepted on the 27th the losses will subsequently disappear into the black hole that you allude to never to emerge for public view for years. Probably, by the time they do Mayor Jones and crew will be long gone!

The complete lack of transparency screams out more than ever when down the road in Sheffield you have administrators running SWFC currently because of the mess the departed chairman has left the club in ,yes they are two different things but you have administrators constantly updating the clubs supporters coming out with positive news in regards to potential interest from serious bidders deal on tickets and other things creating a positive feel where you have CDC who simply can not bring anything positive to the table to tell the airports support which is thin on the ground in real terms of who is actually bothered or detractors to nullify growing disent and concern.

If CDC had any belief in the thing themselves they'd be beating the drum be it work going on at the site itself the real interest from airlines without throwing names and numbers about and risking confidentiality, partners in the project and the role they are playing but nothing.

Led to believe they have produced a nice little document on surface access to DSA and Gateway East in general which talks about a possible train station at a later date somethings never change. Also believe it covers the historic and strategic importance of the DSA sitewith its long runway.

All for the region having a successful airport but like many others on here I am struggling to find where the successful bit comes in here and when Jet 2 can offer me my summer holiday from Stansted or Gatwick even for far less than at Manchester EMA or LBA even I really can't see it coming in useful even for me or many others where price is key and TUI don't even enter the equation now.

 

@pug @White Heather 24.5m the council forgot the rent for finningley goes up in 2029 in Grant Thornton's audit report I know she is 62 but she is a director of FlyDoncaster, another thing the auditor said conflict of interest. The 76 year old accountant missed it as well

 

@pug @White Heather 24.5m the council forgot the rent for finningley goes up in 2029 in Grant Thornton's audit report I know she is 62 but she is a director of FlyDoncaster, another thing the auditor said conflict of interest. The 76 year old accountant missed it as well

Have to say the comments on the CDC Facebook page tonight are overwhelmingly against the council splurging on this vanity project. I wonder how this will go down with the people at the council, will they even pay it any attention? Course not cos Ros got everyone to fill out their wish list to Santa in a sickeningly suggestive questionnaire!

 

Peel have got planning for 1400 houses next to the airport appproved.

 

Peel have got planning for 1400 houses next to the airport appproved.

That's a lot of houses! I guess any increase in catchment/potential passengers will be welcomed by FlyDoncaster!!

 

That's a lot of houses! I guess any increase in catchment/potential passengers will be welcomed by FlyDoncaster!!

Until they start complaining constantly about aircraft noise.

Oh wait! You need aircraft for that.

 

Peel have got planning for 1400 houses next to the airport appproved.

I've got an idea, let's have they-that-shall-not-be-named from Leeds area moved to these new houses. Then they can start a whole new campaign from scratch,,,

 

I've got an idea, let's have they-that-shall-not-be-named from Leeds area moved to these new houses. Then they can start a whole new campaign from scratch,,,

If they moved there, then DSA 2 will be dead long before it reopens!

 

Have to say the comments on the CDC Facebook page tonight are overwhelmingly against the council splurging on this vanity project. I wonder how this will go down with the people at the council, will they even pay it any attention? Course not cos Ros got everyone to fill out their wish list to Santa in a sickeningly suggestive questionnaire!

Yes - had a look yesterday evening and the dissent is indeed overwhelming - and not from the usual candidates. I think what it does show is that if the re-opening does not go as planned then the silent majority will be increasingly vocal!

 

Now the chambers are on the push again, that makes me think that they are slightly worried about reform and their vote Chamber letter with Mark Chadwick being one of these businesses pledging allegiance, we must take this seriously……..

They put a press release out on this today, asking all businesses to basically hound the counsellors to go for a positive vote.

 

Anybody voting in favour might need a counsellor when it goes t*ts up

 

Perhaps this YP story is the reason for trying to get support, does not read good.

Sorry if this has already posted, I don’t recall seeing it

Business

'Don't snatch defeat from jaws of victory': £193m Doncaster Sheffield Airport message sent to councillors by business leaders​

By Chris Burn

Published 18th Nov 2025, 13:05 GMT
Updated 18th Nov 2025, 13:08 GMT

South Yorkshire business leaders have urged councillors to give the green light to funding the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport next week as they highlighted the “potentially enormous” rewards of going ahead.

Sign up to our Business newsletter​

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Notice andTerms of Service apply.
An open letter to the leaders of the Labour, Reform and Conservative groups on the council has been sent in advance of a full council meeting on November 27 where councillors will decide whether to back £193m plans for the local authority to reopen the airport via a council-owned company called FlyDoncaster.
The majority of the money is to come from Doncaster’s share of devolution funding until 2050 which is controlled by the office of South Yorkshire mayor


The letter has been signed by representatives of the three South Yorkshire Chambers along with the Save DSA campaign group; the Cutlers’ Company of Hallamshire; the Federation of Small Businesses; the Institute of Directors; Make UK and the Sheffield Property Association.

Councillors are to decide on whether to go ahead with funding the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport next week.

The letter reads: “The decision about accepting, from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, the funds necessary to facilitate the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport will, for years ahead, define Doncaster and the region’s approach to economic development, its appetite for risk, and scale of ambition.

"The stakes are high, but the rewards are potentially enormous.”
It adds: “The reason so many businesses continue to support the reopening DSA is because the benefits to the economy are vast. Even the under-performing airport that closed its doors three years ago was contributing something akin to £100m a year to the regional economy.


"A fully functioning and well-run airport could contribute significantly more, with enormous benefits to inward investment, tourism, international trade, logistics, skills, supply chains, and more besides.

"The airport is also central to the success of the adjacent Gateway East development site, part of South Yorkshire’s Investment Zone. The economic prize here is huge and cannot be mirrored by any other current South Yorkshire project.”
Losses of £81.1m are expected in the first nine years of DSA operating, with projected profits of £230m across the 15 years after that. Mr Coppard’s office has previously highlighted that “critical risks” to the success of the project include a potential legal challenge to the planned subsidy to FlyDoncaster, as well as being unable to reinstate sufficient airspace to support traffic forecasts and concerns around break clauses in the current lease.

The letter from the business leaders stated they “eyes wide open” to the “significant risks” but said there is sufficient positive evidence for councillors to go ahead.

It states: "Significant due diligence work that has been completed to date, including multiple pieces of assurance work. We would also strongly assert that the risks involved in not proceeding with this project now outweigh those of moving forward.
"Put simply, if South Yorkshire were to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory at this juncture, its credibility with residents, businesses, investors and government alike would be irreparably damaged.”

 

Thanks @Guppy I think we see so much of this that each article seems to be a variation of a theme now. Basically you must approve next Thursday or the future of Doncaster’s economic prosperity will be compromised. Doncaster Chamber appears to be led by a career hoverer with no real business acumen. This bloke claims he’s the voice of local business but also admits that reopening the airport is not unanimously supported amongst the members.

I’m sure for the most part it’s well intentioned, but it’s akin to Springfield’s monorail.

 

Perhaps this YP story is the reason for trying to get support, does not read good.

Sorry if this has already posted, I don’t recall seeing it

Business

'Don't snatch defeat from jaws of victory': £193m Doncaster Sheffield Airport message sent to councillors by business leaders​

By Chris Burn

Published 18th Nov 2025, 13:05 GMT
Updated 18th Nov 2025, 13:08 GMT

South Yorkshire business leaders have urged councillors to give the green light to funding the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport next week as they highlighted the “potentially enormous” rewards of going ahead.

Sign up to our Business newsletter​

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Notice andTerms of Service apply.
An open letter to the leaders of the Labour, Reform and Conservative groups on the council has been sent in advance of a full council meeting on November 27 where councillors will decide whether to back £193m plans for the local authority to reopen the airport via a council-owned company called FlyDoncaster.
The majority of the money is to come from Doncaster’s share of devolution funding until 2050 which is controlled by the office of South Yorkshire mayor


The letter has been signed by representatives of the three South Yorkshire Chambers along with the Save DSA campaign group; the Cutlers’ Company of Hallamshire; the Federation of Small Businesses; the Institute of Directors; Make UK and the Sheffield Property Association.

Councillors are to decide on whether to go ahead with funding the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport next week.

The letter reads: “The decision about accepting, from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, the funds necessary to facilitate the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport will, for years ahead, define Doncaster and the region’s approach to economic development, its appetite for risk, and scale of ambition.

"The stakes are high, but the rewards are potentially enormous.”
It adds: “The reason so many businesses continue to support the reopening DSA is because the benefits to the economy are vast. Even the under-performing airport that closed its doors three years ago was contributing something akin to £100m a year to the regional economy.


"A fully functioning and well-run airport could contribute significantly more, with enormous benefits to inward investment, tourism, international trade, logistics, skills, supply chains, and more besides.

"The airport is also central to the success of the adjacent Gateway East development site, part of South Yorkshire’s Investment Zone. The economic prize here is huge and cannot be mirrored by any other current South Yorkshire project.”
Losses of £81.1m are expected in the first nine years of DSA operating, with projected profits of £230m across the 15 years after that. Mr Coppard’s office has previously highlighted that “critical risks” to the success of the project include a potential legal challenge to the planned subsidy to FlyDoncaster, as well as being unable to reinstate sufficient airspace to support traffic forecasts and concerns around break clauses in the current lease.

The letter from the business leaders stated they “eyes wide open” to the “significant risks” but said there is sufficient positive evidence for councillors to go ahead.

It states: "Significant due diligence work that has been completed to date, including multiple pieces of assurance work. We would also strongly assert that the risks involved in not proceeding with this project now outweigh those of moving forward.
"Put simply, if South Yorkshire were to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory at this juncture, its credibility with residents, businesses, investors and government alike would be irreparably damaged.”

It's not a bad letter in some respects BUT how can the signatories underpin their advice to proceed when not one of them I suggest has actually seen the costed business plan. Cherry picked 'positives' one thing but the the ability to assess and balance the risk against benefit is surely the key element that has been denied to the electorate..... by what calculation is the £230m profit arrived at? I doubt anyone will ever know.

 

It's not a bad letter in some respects BUT how can the signatories underpin their advice to proceed when not one of them I suggest has actually seen the costed business plan. Cherry picked 'positives' one thing but the the ability to assess and balance the risk against benefit is surely the key element that has been denied to the electorate..... by what calculation is the £230m profit arrived at? I doubt anyone will ever know.

Because they know it’s going to work. It’s ok reassuring everyone that robust due diligence has been completed, but when they refuse to share the outcome of that, and when they even seem to not be able to follow the guidance that was supposedly the outcome, then you have to question how much has actually been taken on board. I’m thinking the ROI of 9:1 statement that still keeps being brought up despite the vastly different figure arrived at in SYMCAs due diligence. I’m also thinking about how the SYMCA due diligence found that the airport would only be viable if it meets the most optimistic passenger forecasts, yet somehow this has also been lost in translation.

Someone mentioned elsewhere that CDC have rejected far less risky ventures on the basis of protecting tax payer money.

 

I would love to know where they think the profit will come from . Are they taking into account the huge ongoing costs of maintaining airport infrastructure, updating equipment and expansion (seeing as they're going to be such a success)?

LBA currently has 4.5m passengers per year, far more than DSA is ever likely to see, yet LBA has consistently made an operating loss. The reality is that as airports become busier, the need for investment increases and the hoped for profit just moves further away. And if the airport doesn't become busier, then it will never get near a profit and eventually it is likely to fail. Just like DSA mk 1.

 

Seems Grant Thornton

Perhaps this YP story is the reason for trying to get support, does not read good.

Sorry if this has already posted, I don’t recall seeing it

Business

'Don't snatch defeat from jaws of victory': £193m Doncaster Sheffield Airport message sent to councillors by business leaders​

By Chris Burn

Published 18th Nov 2025, 13:05 GMT
Updated 18th Nov 2025, 13:08 GMT

South Yorkshire business leaders have urged councillors to give the green light to funding the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport next week as they highlighted the “potentially enormous” rewards of going ahead.

Sign up to our Business newsletter​

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Notice andTerms of Service apply.
An open letter to the leaders of the Labour, Reform and Conservative groups on the council has been sent in advance of a full council meeting on November 27 where councillors will decide whether to back £193m plans for the local authority to reopen the airport via a council-owned company called FlyDoncaster.
The majority of the money is to come from Doncaster’s share of devolution funding until 2050 which is controlled by the office of South Yorkshire mayor


The letter has been signed by representatives of the three South Yorkshire Chambers along with the Save DSA campaign group; the Cutlers’ Company of Hallamshire; the Federation of Small Businesses; the Institute of Directors; Make UK and the Sheffield Property Association.

Councillors are to decide on whether to go ahead with funding the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport next week.

The letter reads: “The decision about accepting, from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, the funds necessary to facilitate the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport will, for years ahead, define Doncaster and the region’s approach to economic development, its appetite for risk, and scale of ambition.

"The stakes are high, but the rewards are potentially enormous.”
It adds: “The reason so many businesses continue to support the reopening DSA is because the benefits to the economy are vast. Even the under-performing airport that closed its doors three years ago was contributing something akin to £100m a year to the regional economy.


"A fully functioning and well-run airport could contribute significantly more, with enormous benefits to inward investment, tourism, international trade, logistics, skills, supply chains, and more besides.

"The airport is also central to the success of the adjacent Gateway East development site, part of South Yorkshire’s Investment Zone. The economic prize here is huge and cannot be mirrored by any other current South Yorkshire project.”
Losses of £81.1m are expected in the first nine years of DSA operating, with projected profits of £230m across the 15 years after that. Mr Coppard’s office has previously highlighted that “critical risks” to the success of the project include a potential legal challenge to the planned subsidy to FlyDoncaster, as well as being unable to reinstate sufficient airspace to support traffic forecasts and concerns around break clauses in the current lease.

The letter from the business leaders stated they “eyes wide open” to the “significant risks” but said there is sufficient positive evidence for councillors to go ahead.

It states: "Significant due diligence work that has been completed to date, including multiple pieces of assurance work. We would also strongly assert that the risks involved in not proceeding with this project now outweigh those of moving forward.
"Put simply, if South Yorkshire were to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory at this juncture, its credibility with residents, businesses, investors and government alike would be irreparably damaged.”

It seems GT CDCs auditors have a rather more somber view of DSAs commercial prospects - high risk and a clear need to set financial tolerances and off ramps….Its also critical about the business case which even at this stage needs further work…..Wouldn’t fancy being in those Councillors shoes having to put my name against this project when the risk have now been clearly articulated…..https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/high-risk-auditors-give-doncaster-sheffield-airport-verdict-as-council-urged-to-set-spending-limit-5409516

 

So on the one hand CDC want to see a major business zone grow around DSA, but at the same time are prepared to sign off on a lot of the land becoming residential? It feels a lot like they want to have their cake, and eat it. I know I joked about moving they-who-cannot-be-mentioned in there, but once houses go up and families move in, they might end up being objectors to any future plans to throw up a business park right next to their shiny new houses. And if the businesses go up first, then it might be harder to shift the houses.

Of course as things stand this might suit Peel far more than CDC, if the houses go up, the case for using the airport land further away from the residential area as the main focus for the Gateway East will grow, especially if airlines drag their heels taking up slots somewhere towards the end of this decade. I think I starting to see how this will all come to a head.