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...?

 

Latest twaddle by the Yorkshire post talking about the IMMINENT opening of DSA!!

Is it me or do the figures keep increasing now stating £193m

One of my favourite statements is “Climate Change Minister Katie White was keynote speaker at the Great Northern Conference, and backed the idea for the reopening of DSA to be accompanied by a sustainable aviation fuel hub.”. Wow, what can I say

And in relation to “In recent years, we’ve achieved city status, invested in skills and innovation and worked together as Team Doncaster to unlock one of the most significant economic wins in recent northern history, the imminent reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport” - I think she might be right!!! This will be a significant event in northern history, but maybe for a different reason…….

Like I’ve said before, airline execs just have to wade through the political waffle knowing that these people haven’t a clue what they’re talking about and simply jump on political bandwagons to show they’re doing something.

Still haven’t a clue what this sustainable aviation hub will look like or who will be based at it. From Coppards latest it looks like the plan is changing to ‘logistics’ which to me suggests more automated warehouses that don’t need airports next door.

It’s still on course to bite back at them.

Meanwhile the hapless mechanic has picked up on another meaningless piece of PR drivel in the YP today;

Doncaster Sheffield Airport: 'very positive discussions with a number of airlines'

Officials behind the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport have said there have been “very positive discussions with a number of airlines”, despite holiday giant Tui warning yesterday of a “challenging environment” for the wider industry.

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk

Pretty sure this is a cut and paste from Peels people 20 years ago, it’s clearly a result of the TUI caution from a couple of days ago and absolutely nothing to read into whatsoever.

 

LBA boss warns against using public funding to secure airlines for reopened Doncaster Sheffield Airport - Insider Media

The chief executive of Leeds Bradford Airport has warned against using public funds to poach airlines for the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

www.insidermedia.com

im sure shareholders will be allowed to spend what they want on the airport, does not look like he is thinking about a legal challenge

 

LBA boss warns against using public funding to secure airlines for reopened Doncaster Sheffield Airport - Insider Media

The chief executive of Leeds Bradford Airport has warned against using public funds to poach airlines for the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

www.insidermedia.com

im sure shareholders will be allowed to spend what they want on the airport, does not look like he is thinking about a legal challenge

@rabbitfoot don't be too sure on that one. Things I heard from the horses mouth at a recent LBA Community Event suggest the opposite. Cards will be being played close to chests at the moment. Lots of talk with limited action in lots of areas just now. And tbh that includes the reopening of DSA. This is all far from guaranteed

 

LBA boss warns against using public funding to secure airlines for reopened Doncaster Sheffield Airport - Insider Media

The chief executive of Leeds Bradford Airport has warned against using public funds to poach airlines for the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

www.insidermedia.com

im sure shareholders will be allowed to spend what they want on the airport, does not look like he is thinking about a legal challenge

You're reading that the way you want to read it. Vince Hodder is clearly hinting that he will indeed consider legal action if DSA use public funds to undercut LBA to poach airlines. What exactly do you think he means when he says 'I would have a real problem with that'. He's issued a warning. Lets hope your new airport heeds it, especially if Bristol Airport wins its legal case against the Welsh Government regarding their funding of Cardiff Airport. That will set a clear legal precedent whichever way it goes and if Bristol are successful it suggests DSA will have to compete on a level playing field without using public funds to entice airlines via unrealistic subsidies.

 

You're reading that the way you want to read it. Vince Hodder is clearly hinting that he will indeed consider legal action if DSA use public funds to undercut LBA to poach airlines. What exactly do you think he means when he says 'I would have a real problem with that'. He's issued a warning. Lets hope your new airport heeds it, especially if Bristol Airport wins its legal case against the Welsh Government regarding their funding of Cardiff Airport. That will set a clear legal precedent whichever way it goes and if Bristol are successful it suggests DSA will have to compete on a level playing field without using public funds to entice airlines via unrealistic subsidies.

That update was also reported on over a month ago…..https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/transport/doncaster-sheffield-airport-warning-issued-over-use-of-taxpayer-funding-by-leeds-bradford-ceo-5403404
LBA have been very clear I that they WILL make a legal challlege to the Competition Appeal Tribunal if they consider public funds are being used to distort the market….This will become clear once details,of the subsidy are published by CDC.

 

Shouldn’t need to undercut and offer subsidies as the mechanic hailing on the Facebook page that very positive discussions with a number of airlines have been had! Honestly can’t even see more than 1 being half interested at the moment. What a load of BS

 

when it opens, and they are saying winter 27 for airlines. any company would have to comit soon, to get it in their adverts for next year, would they not?

 

when it opens, and they are saying winter 27 for airlines. any company would have to comit soon, to get it in their adverts for next year, would they not?

What’s your point? Which airline sets up a new route / base in Winter 2027 if it isn’t from a London airport? Extremely risky.

I doubt winter 2027 will be likely for any flights. Hate to break that one to you

 

when it opens, and they are saying winter 27 for airlines. any company would have to comit soon, to get it in their adverts for next year, would they not?

Airlines aren’t starting in winter 2027, that’s one of the fundamental misunderstandings that Ros Jones appears to have, though I suspect it’s a politically motivated timeline. It does somewhat undermine their position though.

As for Chadwick, he hasn’t got a clue.

 

I see the LBA bashing continues over on the Mechanics Facebook group. This time regurgitating quite an informative post by a pilot around LBA’s runway to try spin it as an angle to why DSA should open. They seem to fail to grasp that not one of the airlines they would look to attract significant capacity from have any issues with LBAs runway or the rate of diversion.

@pug speaking of the mechanic knowing nothing. He seems to think he knows enough to go around issuing press releases off his own back to media outlets.

 

I see the LBA bashing continues over on the Mechanics Facebook group. This time regurgitating quite an informative post by a pilot around LBA’s runway to try spin it as an angle to why DSA should open. They seem to fail to grasp that not one of the airlines they would look to attract significant capacity from have any issues with LBAs runway or the rate of diversion.

@pug speaking of the mechanic knowing nothing. He seems to think he knows enough to go around issuing press releases off his own back to media outlets.

I think it’s just best to ignore things like that. The post was clearly aimed at people asking why some flights get in and others divert when the weather is bad. It’s just how it works and is all about maintaining the highest safety standards. What they never understand (and I don’t think they ever will) is that commercial departments are not driven by the weather or whether an aircraft might have to divert or not. Operationally it’s a PITA but ultimately the airline is there to make money, so they make choices not on where the weather might get a bit ‘weathery’ sometimes, but where they can fill their aircraft and make a profit. The blind lead the blind in this conversations as they just don’t seem to be able to fathom this very basic concept.

As for the PR of an untrained vehicle mechanic, well it’s not exactly professional is it.. however not much about this has been handled professionally, and he’s a useful tool to consolidate support for this political project. If it were a private led consortium he’d probably have been told to keep quiet by this point.

 

i think mr chadwick as done a great job, but it as ended.
he needs someone to tell him , it is time to take a stepback.

 

That ex pilot is desperate for any reply / retaliation from anyone on Facebook, one who absolutely has no clue about how airlines work. However does know about how aircraft work. Rage bait sometimes / will post what he can for likes, just like the mechanic.

No mention today of the hole in MAN runway on the FB group today. Must only apply to LBA when anything goes wrong.

 

LBA boss warns against using public funding to secure airlines for reopened Doncaster Sheffield Airport - Insider Media

The chief executive of Leeds Bradford Airport has warned against using public funds to poach airlines for the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

www.insidermedia.com

im sure shareholders will be allowed to spend what they want on the airport, does not look like he is thinking about a legal challenge

There are more folk than LBA watching to see what happens in respect of subsidising airlines to operate with public money! If I recall there were 7 or 8 comments/representations to the SAU so if FlyDoncasterr do light the blue touchpaper the flak will likely come from some unexpected quarters. It's like everything else - the whole focus seems to be on LBA but for example EMA is far more of an all round threat to the success of DSA and indeed is likely have something to say if they try and pinch freight from them and it is not just close by airports that would be affected by distortion of the market - for sure they are not going to sit back! However - if talks are going so well with airlines DSA will not need to subsidise any operations!!!

 

There are more folk than LBA watching to see what happens in respect of subsidising airlines to operate with public money! If I recall there were 7 or 8 comments/representations to the SAU so if FlyDoncasterr do light the blue touchpaper the flak will likely come from some unexpected quarters. It's like everything else - the whole focus seems to be on LBA but for example EMA is far more of an all round threat to the success of DSA and indeed is likely have something to say if they try and pinch freight from them and it is not just close by airports that would be affected by distortion of the market - for sure they are not going to sit back! However - if talks are going so well with airlines DSA will not need to subsidise any operations!!!

Well tomorrow it will be three weeks since the vote to approve a loan to release funds for upfront reopening costs. As far as I can see there has been no subsidy published. I think it was @White Heather who suggested they may drop it on there just before Christmas in a tactical ploy to reduce the effective time to raise a legal challenge by any competitors/objectors. Could we see this initiated tomorrow/friday when they presumably assume execs and legal people at these other airports will be heading into annual leave for a couple of weeks?

They say they want to reopen the airport ‘at pace’ yet things seem to be going very slowly. I could be completely wrong but I would have thought they’d need to publish the subsidy before spending a penny of the cash? Course they’ll be following due process, including trying to make sure their subsidy is unchallengeable, and they then have to publish on the transparency database within 3 months.

They’re playing market failure and not market distortion. The supposed private sector investors may also seek to ‘call in’ this decision if they’re still trying to frustrate, so it may not just be other airports. Quite how they can argue market failure based on not getting enough private sector buy in during the procurement exercise is beyond me, they’d have to apply similar incentives as Peel did to get airlines interested, if the public sector are doing the same thing where the private sector failed then that is surely market distortion?

 

The mechanic has posted a blinder this morning in response to the AENA deal:

Aena the Spanish airport owners now have a majority stake in Leeds Bradford Airpirt in a 279 million pound deal in the Yorkshire Post today

A Spanish company owned by the Spanish government,

Will this put to bed the legal argument around using public monies to support an airport ???

UK or Spanish public money its still public money

#saveDSA #saveDSAairspace #syorksairportcity #teamdoncaster #teamDSA #investment #aviation #localeconomy #regionalsupport #doncasterisgreat #teamsouthyorkshire #localsupport #saveXH558 #FODSA

 

The mechanic has posted a blinder this morning in response to the AENA deal:

I’m not sure what is more worrying, the constant grasping at straws to put LBA down or the absolute failure to understand business. This coming from someone who owns a business as well…

He’s now just showing himself up with not only a fundamental lack of aviation knowledge but also that of basic business models. Not to mention about how bitter and jealous he’s always sounded of a successful LBA.

 

I’m not sure what is more worrying, the constant grasping at straws to put LBA down or the absolute failure to understand business. This coming from someone who owns a business as well…

He’s now just showing himself up with not only a fundamental lack of aviation knowledge but also that of basic business models. Not to mention about how bitter and jealous he’s always sounded of a successful LBA.

Frankly, he's just embarrassing. He needs to shut up.

 

That ex pilot is desperate for any reply / retaliation from anyone on Facebook, one who absolutely has no clue about how airlines work. However does know about how aircraft work. Rage bait sometimes / will post what he can for likes, just like the mechanic.

No mention today of the hole in MAN runway on the FB group today. Must only apply to LBA when anything goes wrong.

I wonder how much of an 'ex-pilot' he he really is as (unless I missed it) he omits to mention how different airlines treat crosswinds in their SOPs which to me could be fundamental as to who lands and who doesn't which was the question posed. For example of two major airlines operating at LBA, one counts 'gusts' in with the maximum crosswind component - 25/35kt in theory = no go whereas the other does not so in those circumstances an approach at least would be permitted. (Source 'pointed end aircrew')

The mechanic has posted a blinder this morning in response to the AENA deal:

I haven't read it but this obsession with LBA disguises the reality that there were 7 or 8 representations to the SAU so whether there is able to be a challenge from LBA (even if they wanted) only reduces the potential field by 1. At the end of the day there are going to be many more frantic posts as time goes on to keep the project in front of his mob but in terms of reality it is all irrelevant and not worth reading.
Fancy AENA not investing in DSA - wonder why???

 

The mechanic has posted a blinder this morning in response to the AENA deal:

It won’t make one jot of difference to competition law.

As to the Mechanic, the guy is clearly a genius who can not only fix your cars puncture, he can also run an airport, fly you to Alicante and now apparently is a corporate lawyer…..