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...?

 

This morning, businesses came together to explore What’s Next? for Doncaster Sheffield Airport

The day began with a Council Marketplace, giving businesses direct access to council teams that can often feel hard to reach. Stands included Business Doncaster, the Advance Employment Hub and Procurement, offering valuable conversations and practical insights.

Following a welcome from our host, Sian Booth, and a talk from our event sponsor, Andrew Austwick from Finance For Enterprise, we heard from an expert panel featuring Mayor Ros Jones and Damian Allen from @mydoncaster, and Gary Winterman and Christian Foster from South Yorkshire Airport City.

Events like this showcase the role Doncaster Chamber plays in amplifying the voice of business, bringing people into the room with decision-makers, opening doors to hard to access teams, and sharing the latest updates on Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

Missed this event and want to join the next one?
Book your place using the events link in our bio

#MyDNChamber #SYAirportCity

Latest from Doncaster Chamber. I would question what three of the ‘expert panel’ are actually experts in? Frivolous spending of public money and riding gravy trains?

 

Latest from Doncaster Chamber. I would question what three of the ‘expert panel’ are actually experts in? Frivolous spending of public money and riding gravy trains?

This just shows how out of the depth CDC are when competing against the like of MAG group and shortly the AENA controlled LBA…A bunch of civil servants who know zilch about the industry trying to match up against those who have a career in commercial aviation…..

 

This just shows how out of the depth CDC are when competing against the like of MAG group and shortly the AENA controlled LBA…A bunch of civil servants who know zilch about the industry trying to match up against those who have a career in commercial aviation…..

In the interests of balance you don’t necessarily need experience in aviation to make a difference… But! You do need a lot of commercial awareness to navigate the vagaries of airline planning. Sometimes having a local knowledge (knowing your market) will trump hard experience in working for airlines/airports. However when it comes to promoting yourself, an issue endemic with politicians, the successful airline execs also know how to navigate. The DfT for instance often get a panning by high ups at my employer, but sometimes it’s best to show up, get your photo taken and then go off and do business elsewhere. That’s exactly what I fully believe is happening here, in fact i know it is in one case.

Meanwhile Rachael Reeves has pledged her support for reopening DSA again today. Not with money though, just words.

 

The mechanic has provided his overview of yesterday’s chamber meeting.

A Busy Week with 2 Events To Attend This Week

The Second Event was organised by Doncaster Chamber with a

Your Council your Say event

at the eco power stadium

An interactive discussion on the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport,

Exploring how it can drive investment, connectivity, and economic growth for the city. Engage directly with city leaders and local businesses to shape the future of Doncaster’s transport infrastructure and wider opportunities.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Connect with council teams and other local businesses – exchange ideas and explore opportunities linked to the airport’s reopening.

Hear from influential city leaders and experts shaping the plans for Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

Learn how local businesses and communities can benefit from improved connectivity, investment, and jobs.

THE CONVERSATION / THE TOPIC

Your City. Your Say: Doncaster Sheffield Airport Reopening

The reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport represents a major opportunity for the city’s economy, business growth, and connectivity. This session will give businesses the chance to hear about the reopening plans, timelines, and investment opportunities, as well as discuss the potential impact on the city and local workforce. Attendees will be invited to share their insights and contribute to shaping the next phase of Doncaster’s economic development.

There was an update from Christian Foster the lead director on the project,

With information on whats happening at present, with staffing updates, The different departments That are now in place.

It was good to hear that the new team they're getting in place has a good cross section of experts in their own fields, well qualified and experienced coming from other airports to be part of the #saveDSA story

A summary on discussions with prospective airlines and what can be expected to happen at DSA as the project Progresses ( no names unfortunately) up to 4 million passengers a year eventually

Gary the head of Cargo and General Aviation was on the panel with an update similar to his post last week, hes back in contact with a number of companies that used DSA pre 2022, with possible heavy lift operators, along with some new contacts as well with plans to attract over 100,000 tons of Cargo to DSA.

Mayor Ros Gave an update on her vision for DSA and Doncaster

While Damian Allen covered some of the legalities that City of Doncaster Council are dealing with along with info on Gateway East.

There were a number of question's from the floor.

In summary

Q.What about the relationship with SYMCA

A. All is good with our relationships with SYMCA and our south yorkshire partners rotherham sheffield and barnsley councils working together and supporting the work to reopen DSA

Q. What are Munich Airport International upto are they busy with the work for DSA weve not heard much about them or other partners

A. Various conversations were mentioned with Munich representatives over the last few days who are based around the globe, ( dubai, Thailand, America ) the topics covered Airport Security, airlines, upgrades to the terminal building

Christian also mentioned Cirrus and others ( i cant remeber the names )who are working on the air space the radar and upgrades to the infrastructure.

A redesign of the terminal was also covered, with some unused space being put into use when DSA reopens offering a better customer experience with a larger duty free option, and utilising all of the departure lounge.

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

They just seem to be making things up now. It’s clear why though, they need to keep people on side because they realise that the recent news is anything but positive! So once again the carrot is dangled and they’re now deciding those passenger forecasts upwards. It’s this escalation of commitment that Grant Thornton and others have been warning about, and now they’re doubling down on it making it seem like something that simply cannot be scrutinised due to the ‘unrivalled benefits’ it’s apparently going to bring to the city.

 

4 million passengers absolute dream world, someone needs to put a stop to this circus

 

4 million passengers absolute dream world, someone needs to put a stop to this circus

He’s also suggesting that the leaked document might be an old one

If he really wants this airport to reopen he should be at the front asking these challenging questions! Questions like what are they doing to make the lease acceptable for financial sign off? Cos cutting out all the political BS that is the current problem, that will be the problem if this audit committee meeting happens and the lease is scrutinised to the point it’s decided that the vote to borrow £57million is invalid.

All this momentum management will only help to kill the project dead if they’re not careful.

 

That overview by Mr Chadwick is a study in how to use lots of big words, buzz words and b******t to say virtually nothing. Does anyone fall for it?

 

It appears that some people do.

 

That overview by Mr Chadwick is a study in how to use lots of big words, buzz words and b******t to say virtually nothing. Does anyone fall for it?

Yes, but it’s usually people who are looking for something positive to read anyway. If the truth is negative it’s not their truth. They might even tell anyone deemed to be of a negative persuasion to ‘so some research’, needless to say that when quizzed on it their research is nothing more than reading the nonsense that is posted by Chadwick and other sycophants on that group.

Whatever happens with the airport there will always be a group of people talking of how it was built to fail.

 

In the interests of balance you don’t necessarily need experience in aviation to make a difference… But! You do need a lot of commercial awareness to navigate the vagaries of airline planning. Sometimes having a local knowledge (knowing your market) will trump hard experience in working for airlines/airports. However when it comes to promoting yourself, an issue endemic with politicians, the successful airline execs also know how to navigate. The DfT for instance often get a panning by high ups at my employer, but sometimes it’s best to show up, get your photo taken and then go off and do business elsewhere. That’s exactly what I fully believe is happening here, in fact i know it is in one case.

Meanwhile Rachael Reeves has pledged her support for reopening DSA again today. Not with money though, just words.

The Chancellor cancelled her meeting on Thursday at 2Excel instead making her airport announcement in Sheffield with the Mayor.

Meanwhile the elephant in the room was 1 MVA cap on power written into the lease as reported by the YP today but conveniently ignored by the mechanic who posts about Sky Taxis @pug

 

Desperation from the mechanic now on his FB group, trying to state Yorkshire Post are spreading misinformation and that the leaked lease may not be real or current

Interesting to see no one else would have been allowed to post about this (it’s a forum about opening the airport he would say), but he is allowed to post about it. Looks like he is following the same methodology as an Orange man in America :

Recent news article suggest a copy of the lease for DSA has been leaked to the Yorkshire Post

#SaveDSA

Please Read

There has been a lot of confusion caused by a leaked document.

Described as the “airport lease”.

So here are some simple questions.

• Is the leaked document current ??

• Is it signed ??

• does it represent the current position??

As renegotiations have been ongoing since September 2025, which probably means any earlier draft is out of date.
Surely if a final lease was signed and in place. renegotiations would not still be happening.

Just to help stop the misinformation on who's doing the work

The legal, aviation and commercial work to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport is being carried out by City of Doncaster Council officers and staff members along with SYMCA

Both carrying out due dilligence employing Aviation Consultants and Legal Advisors

The two Mayors and the councillors set overall direction (we want to reopen DSA )

They do not write leases, negotiate aviation terms, or carry out technical due diligence.

Reopening an airport is complex. It requires: • safety approvals
• legal checks
• aviation compliance
• financial viability
This work takes time and must be done properly.

Another question is

.Who leaked the document and why?

City of Doncaster Council cannot defend the leaked Lease they are in discussions with the landowners.

All this will be Confidential, there will be Non Disclosure agreements in place to protect both parties.

Speculation only causes division and delays the progress.

Draft or leaked documents should not be treated as facts.

Leaks damage negotiations and will slow the reopening.

Our position remains clear:

✔ Reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport
✔ Stick to verified facts
✔ Support proper due process
✔ Keep the community united

Division and misinformation does not reopen airports.

Facts, professionalism and persistence do.

Please share responsibly.
All views are my own

 

Sky taxis hahahahah Jesus Christ..

 

So content comes from the council, style is chat gpt, and which pictorials are missing, theree were 4 yesterday

 

The Chancellor cancelled her meeting on Thursday at 2Excel instead making her airport announcement in Sheffield with the Mayor.

Meanwhile the elephant in the room was 1 MVA cap on power written into the lease as reported by the YP today but conveniently ignored by the mechanic who posts about Sky Taxis @pug

Apparently this energy issue is a problem, reading elsewhere LCY is increasing from someting like 3.6 MVA to 7, if DSA is restricted to 1 this is going to mean that this sustainable aviation hub is going to struggle getting off the ground. This isn’t Peel being difficult, it’s the physical infrastructure that is apparently lacking, Might be ok as it was, but it means it’s severely restricted if it wants to handle 4mppa, which is apparently now what Ros Jones is saying will eventually be the performance.

 

Apparently this energy issue is a problem, reading elsewhere LCY is increasing from someting like 3.6 MVA to 7, if DSA is restricted to 1 this is going to mean that this sustainable aviation hub is going to struggle getting off the ground. This isn’t Peel being difficult, it’s the physical infrastructure that is apparently lacking, Might be ok as it was, but it means it’s severely restricted if it wants to handle 4mppa, which is apparently now what Ros Jones is saying will eventually be the performance.

Reading the latest comments on the YP article from elected CDC councillors it seems the Mechanic is on the verge of landing himself in a heap of trouble over some of his recent statements re the lease…….

 

Reading the latest comments on the YP article from elected CDC councillors it seems the Mechanic is on the verge of landing himself in a heap of trouble over some of his recent statements re the lease…….

His group are turning on him

 

Reading the latest comments on the YP article from elected CDC councillors it seems the Mechanic is on the verge of landing himself in a heap of trouble over some of his recent statements re the lease…….

He won’t, as we’ve seen with misguided rants in the past they’ll keep him happy to ensure he continues to be that single consolidating mouthpiece for the support to reopen the airport. He’d have to do something pretty stupid for them to turn their back on him. I suspect the Ros Jones of the council are probably happy that he’s doing a lot of work to deflect. ‘It’s confidential therefore it could be anything’ would probably work for them, however I’m not sure how much leeway his own supporters are giving him on this one, Ros Jones clearly said in Feb 2024 that the lease was signed. Why then would you have some draft document being leaked two years later? He says the lease is being renegotiated, well I do wonder how well that’s going since they’ve been renegotiating it for at least 5 months. Still no decision from SYMCA.

 

Questions really being asked on his Facebook page.. a lot that he is not answering / now guiding for people to ask Ros directly. Interesting read and as usual anyone with any genuine questions / opposition naturally gets shot down.

As usual its the Yorkshire Posts fault (Funded by LBA)!!!

 

Questions really being asked on his Facebook page.. a lot that he is not answering / now guiding for people to ask Ros directly. Interesting read and as usual anyone with any genuine questions / opposition naturally gets shot down.

As usual its the Yorkshire Posts fault (Funded by LBA)!!!

Be quite hard to ask Ros Jones directly now as she appears to have switched off comments for any posts she makes relating to matters airport, least that appears to be the case on her faceache account anyway. I suspect he’s had a bit of an off record talking to about how to handle questions verging on a political nature. I also suspect Ros Jones has been advised to keep quiet on the matter of the lease too.

Rest assured though, they’ll be looking for something positive to use as spin and deflect attention from the (white) elephant in the room. Be interesting to see whether this extraordinary audit committee meeting is held this month.

 

Questions really being asked on his Facebook page.. a lot that he is not answering / now guiding for people to ask Ros directly. Interesting read and as usual anyone with any genuine questions / opposition naturally gets shot down.

As usual it’s the Yorkshire Posts fault (Funded by LBA)!!!

It’s pretty clear that he has lost control of the narrative as has Mayor Jones who has completely shut down any ability to question her on social media.

I see Nick Fletcher has shown that the mechanics recent attempts to deflect on the leaked lease as completely untrue and the pressure is well and truly ramping up around transparency.

Add into this all the issues over potential power supply, especially with a large amount of homes being built nearby as well and it’s now turning into an even bigger circus than it was previously. All this is potentially damaging what little interest there already was in the airport from potential airlines etc.

Time to get the popcorn out, sit back and watch it all implode over the next few weeks and months.