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...?

 

'It's all there': operator names 'unique' aspect of Doncaster Sheffield Airport

The size of Doncaster Sheffield Airport’s runway is “unique” amongst its regional competitors and was key to persuading Munich Airport International to get on board with the reopening project, the firm’s managing director has said.

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk

This article seems to have a different slant to that posted by @rabbitfoot, particularly on the point about Lutz Weisser having ‘concerns’ over the viability of the project. It adds a bit of context and explains why they’re intending to focus on real estate development and ‘soft freight’ whatever that means. I think they’re basically admitting that the passenger side isn’t perhaps as attractive as they might otherwise have hoped and that passenger demand is fickle. I’d suggest this is more the case with cargo, hence the ‘soft’ reopening presumably.

 

'It's all there': operator names 'unique' aspect of Doncaster Sheffield Airport

The size of Doncaster Sheffield Airport’s runway is “unique” amongst its regional competitors and was key to persuading Munich Airport International to get on board with the reopening project, the firm’s managing director has said.

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk

This article seems to have a different slant to that posted by @rabbitfoot, particularly on the point about Lutz Weisser having ‘concerns’ over the viability of the project. It adds a bit of context and explains why they’re intending to focus on real estate development and ‘soft freight’ whatever that means. I think they’re basically admitting that the passenger side isn’t perhaps as attractive as they might otherwise have hoped and that passenger demand is fickle. I’d suggest this is more the case with cargo, hence the ‘soft’ reopening presumably.

Don’t forget in the cargo side that in 2029 a lot of the e-commerce from China will be taxed. Another considerable worry in the freight area that they will need to overcome somehow and something that I bet isn’t taken into consideration of the business plan (even if there is one!).

MIA are just doing what they are paid for and that’s putting a positive spin on a very hard sell. They will know the reality by now of the situation they face to sell DSA. For most airlines they will be targeting having a long runway means absolutely nothing. It won’t even be a factor of an airlines decision making on short/mid haul routes. The thing that they will need to overcome is the lack of catchment and passengers. Something I very much doubt they will achieve.

 

Don’t forget in the cargo side that in 2029 a lot of the e-commerce from China will be taxed. Another considerable worry in the freight area that they will need to overcome somehow and something that I bet isn’t taken into consideration of the business plan (even if there is one!).

MIA are just doing what they are paid for and that’s putting a positive spin on a very hard sell. They will know the reality by now of the situation they face to sell DSA. For most airlines they will be targeting having a long runway means absolutely nothing. It won’t even be a factor of an airlines decision making on short/mid haul routes. The thing that they will need to overcome is the lack of catchment and passengers. Something I very much doubt they will achieve.

Hence the comments on capacity. Whilst some who have a tendency to believe the rubbish about DSA being able to unlock its potential for long-haul ‘under the right management/guidance’ will see this as positive confirmation that they have that right guidance now, it’s clearly MAI trying to spin a positive from a pool of very little. It’s straw clutching.

Where is the ‘massive demand in South Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire’ statement? Surely this is the first thing any burgeoning business needs to justify its creation/existence? Pointing at an airport over there and saying ‘but full’ just doesn’t cut it I’m afraid.

 

Hence the comments on capacity. Whilst some who have a tendency to believe the rubbish about DSA being able to unlock its potential for long-haul ‘under the right management/guidance’ will see this as positive confirmation that they have that right guidance now, it’s clearly MAI trying to spin a positive from a pool of very little. It’s straw clutching.

Where is the ‘massive demand in South Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire’ statement? Surely this is the first thing any burgeoning business needs to justify its creation/existence? Pointing at an airport over there and saying ‘but full’ just doesn’t cut it I’m afraid.

From what I have heard, MIA put some feelers out with airlines at the beginning of the year but there’s been very little contact since. I’d expect MIA will continue to drop feed out ambiguous positive statements over the next 2 years to continue to pick up the cheques written by CDC.

If the business case is to try pick up passengers on the basis of nearby airports being full, it has been proven by Teesside and Southend, who have tried similar, to not work.

Interestingly, costs will be starting to wrack up already as I believe they have ramped up recruitment and have people employed in senior roles in security and ATC.

 

From what I have heard, MIA put some feelers out with airlines at the beginning of the year but there’s been very little contact since. I’d expect MIA will continue to drop feed out ambiguous positive statements over the next 2 years to continue to pick up the cheques written by CDC.

If the business case is to try pick up passengers on the basis of nearby airports being full, it has been proven by Teesside and Southend, who have tried similar, to not work.

Interestingly, costs will be starting to wrack up already as I believe they have ramped up recruitment and have people employed in senior roles in security and ATC.

They’re advertising for ATC Assistants to help drive ‘one of the safest airports in the UK’. Interesting choice of words. Salary is 25-30k with a view to potentially undergoing training to full ATCO qualifications (presumably subsidised) for the right candidates. Can’t argue with that, whether it will work in practice remains to be seen.

 

Mayor now stating Holiday flights 'could' late 2027... pleaseeeeeee

1, the goal posts changing again... (brought forward in this case)

2, no airlines which DSA will be targeting would look to start flights in their quietest period..? Holiday flights in winter..? Low yield and plenty of airlines scrambling for business.. on for a... loss already. Christ.

 

Mayor now stating Holiday flights 'could' late 2027... pleaseeeeeee

1, the goal posts changing again... (brought forward in this case)

2, no airlines which DSA will be targeting would look to start flights in their quietest period..? Holiday flights in winter..? Low yield and plenty of airlines scrambling for business.. on for a... loss already. Christ.

Every time these politicians open their mouths they demonstrate a remarkable lack of understanding as to how the aviation industry works. They say the same things the uninformed general public say. Clearly, these statements are aimed at those people.

As for the claim DSA will be the safest airport in the UK, its an easy claim to make when you have very few aircraft ! Life will be incredibly dull for the ATC staff. It should appeal to trainees who can move on to something more challenging once trained, and qualified staff looking for a quiet life away from a busy airport.

 

'It's all there': operator names 'unique' aspect of Doncaster Sheffield Airport

The size of Doncaster Sheffield Airport’s runway is “unique” amongst its regional competitors and was key to persuading Munich Airport International to get on board with the reopening project, the firm’s managing director has said.

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk

A load of tosh straight off the bat:

‘He explained that the size of the runway sets it apart from competitors like East Midlands, Leeds Bradford and Teesside International.

“That is really unique and is a great thing,” he told The Great Northern Conference’.

The East Midlands which has a runway of identical length to Donny’s? That East Midlands? Riiiiiight.

 

Teesside really a competitor of DSA? I'm not overly sure or convinced. No mention of the obvious HUY or MAN. Maybe MIA need to do a bit more research.

Also a centre for sustainable aviation fuels? well firstly you don't need a runway for that, secondly Teesside is all over that (along with other parts of the UK). Teesside themselves scrambling for relevant business ideas / cases so why open another failed airport to do the same and no doubt even less successful? Just plucking ideas from other airports and hoping it sticks, kind of like Wizz Air's route network.

 

Teesside really a competitor of DSA? I'm not overly sure or convinced. No mention of the obvious HUY or MAN. Maybe MIA need to do a bit more research.

Also a centre for sustainable aviation fuels? well firstly you don't need a runway for that, secondly Teesside is all over that (along with other parts of the UK). Teesside themselves scrambling for relevant business ideas / cases so why open another failed airport to do the same and no doubt even less successful? Just plucking ideas from other airports and hoping it sticks, kind of like Wizz Air's route network.

Yeah, I think it is three SAF plants being built on Teesside, miles away from the airport. They being built at Seal Sands & Wilton, which have access to the river for shipping.

So DSA won't have any SAF plants built next to airport, they will be miles away in the Humber estuary where they would be built.

 

Yeah, I think it is three SAF plants being built on Teesside, miles away from the airport. They being built at Seal Sands & Wilton, which have access to the river for shipping.

So DSA won't have any SAF plants built next to airport, they will be miles away in the Humber estuary where they would be built.

Pretty sure there are plans for Immingham

 

Pretty sure there are plans for Immingham

Wouldn't be surprised if CDC have included the job numbers at the Humber SAF plant into the DSA business case. Somewhere way out of CDC & SYMCA territory.

 

Wouldn't be surprised if CDC have included the job numbers at the Humber SAF plant into the DSA business case. Somewhere way out of CDC & SYMCA territory.

Their entire business plan is based on pinching whatever they can from wherever they can. CDC are like a spoiled kid that wants the other kids toys.

 

A statement from the mechanic today regarding airspace which has presumably been drip fed to him by official airport sources;

DSA Airspace Change Proposal ACP

Things are progressing now !!



With the loan and funding decision last week at full council, the necessary capital funds needed to reopen our airspace were authorised and the team can now get on with the work to reopen our airport.



The Airspace Application has recently been submitted.



I received an E-mail today from City of Doncaster Council regarding the airspace change proposal they have submitted to the C.A.A.



The City of Doncaster Council is sending out Information on the new Airspace Application For DSA and asking stakeholders for Feedback.



Our Campaign to #saveDSA and the work we have been involved in supporting the process, working with our authorities Doncaster Council , and our business community Doncaster Chamber, over the last 3 plus years I have been asked to offer feedback on the airspace change proposal for our airport.



This is part 1 and 2 of a 7-stage application. Known as a CAP 1616



City of Doncaster Council (CDC) is sponsoring the process to reinstate the controlled airspace and procedures needed for Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) to reopen safely and bring passenger and cargo flights back to the region.



A key requirement of CAP1616 is that the organisation putting forward an Airspace Change Proposal (ACP) must engage with stakeholders early in the process.



After talks over the last few years with Prospective airlines CDC have identified a request for the reinstatement of controlled airspace, flight procedures and air traffic control services as they were pre closure to enable the safe and efficient return of regular commercial operations.



At this stage, CDC is proposing.

To reinstate the same controlled airspace and flight procedures that were in operation before the airport closed in 2022.



This is the most practical starting point, as the previous airspace was developed in line with airline requirements, from a widespread consultation on an earlier ACP, and operated safely for many years.



Reinstating it should provide a stable foundation for the return of passenger, cargo and general aviation flights, while still allowing refinements to be explored through stakeholder engagement and consultation as part of the development of this ACP.



Now parts 1 and 2 of the process, focuses on representative stakeholders including.



Local Authorities,

Aviation Organisations,

Neighbouring Airports,

Airspace Users,

Community Representatives,

The Business Community

Environmental Groups.



These stakeholders are involved early in the process because they can offer informed, technical and location-specific insight that helps refine the ACP before it progresses to full public consultation in Stage 3.



This consultation and feedback deadline is the middle of January2026.



As admin of this group and to reinforce the importance of this project and the benefits we all want for Our Airport

I will fully support this airspace change proposal, the group was set up to

#saveDSA and #saveDSAairspace.



The proposal is to fully reinstate DSA Airspace as it was pre closure with no changes to allow a safe and recognised airspace for a swift reopening as soon as is possible



#saveDSA

 

Do we know if any surrounding airports have launched any legal challenges yet? Timing for DSA may have been blatant to coincide with the "holiday" period minimising further the time opportunity for any legal challenges. A further smack of desperation

 

Do we know if any surrounding airports have launched any legal challenges yet? Timing for DSA may have been blatant to coincide with the "holiday" period minimising further the time opportunity for any legal challenges. A further smack of desperation

Not yet, the council have to publish the exact details of the subsidy onto a Government website, I don’t believe there is a time limit to do this but you would think they’d want to do it pretty swiftly to get the ball rolling. Once this is done any objections must be lodged within 30 days. So if there are to be any then it will need to be after official publication/notification of the subsidy. They may try to strategically release it, but invariably there will be airports watching it should they want to lodge a formal appeal/legal challenge. Delaying the publishing will only delay the inevitable anyway and you’d think they’d council would want to push on with it if they’re serious about meeting their timeframes and sticking rigidly on budget.

 

"Neighbouring Airports" Oh yes because I imagine they're going to be the upmost helpful and efficient in assisting/agreeing.. OK then. The air space needed for DSA should be a fraction of what they had before due to the limited traffic that could pass through.

Another poster on the fan page posting about LHR £7 drop off fee and everyone jumping on the band wagon / stating this is where DSA has an advantage as it didn't (apparently, not sure how true that is, one poster did say it did, maybe similar to the LBA set up). The group are clearly still stuck 3 years in the past.. with everything going up in costs and the extra fee's airports will have to pay to the government, you can bet there will be fee's at DSA. I wonder who they will blame when it's more expensive to fly from there as they cant blame Peel, so ironic with no idea on how the industry works.

 

There's no way on this planet DSA should get its previous airspace restored, and applying for it is lazy. The CAA have previously indicated, I am sure, that less airspace was a likely outcome. It didn't need what it had before so it should be scaled back. And how would a reinstated airspace fit in with the Airspace Change process currently underway?

Just seems like a quick and lazy attempt that could well come back to bite them if they have it rejected and are told to come up with something more sensible.

 

Yep - another thing that proves how detached from reality they are

 

There's no way on this planet DSA should get its previous airspace restored, and applying for it is lazy. The CAA have previously indicated, I am sure, that less airspace was a likely outcome. It didn't need what it had before so it should be scaled back. And how would a reinstated airspace fit in with the Airspace Change process currently underway?

Just seems like a quick and lazy attempt that could well come back to bite them if they have it rejected and are told to come up with something more sensible.

I think they’re aiming high strategically and I suspect they’ve taken advice by specialists to do so. Understandably of course, this is a bit of a unique situation where they aren’t applying from scratch but they’re attempting to reopen the airport. Whether this works or not is another matter, forum SME @radar seemed to be cynical of this previously. The CAA won’t prioritise this over other ACP work in the pipeline I wouldn’t think, and they have tried to temper expectations by stating that they must see it as AN option not THE option. Can fully understand why they’re doing it this way, it would be the pragmatic approach.