27 September 2022
Doncaster Sheffield Airport is to close later this year. The site owner, Peel Group, wants to develop the land as part of the adjacent GatewayEast combined business and residential development.
Aviation services “will begin winding down during the week commencing Monday, 31 October 2022,” said a statement from Peel Group.
A Strategic Review at the airport ended on Monday, 26 September with Peel Group saying, “No tangible proposals have been received regarding the ownership of the airport or which address the fundamental lack of financial viability.”
That is despite local authorities offering public funds to offset losses. On Friday, 23 September, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and Doncaster Council, and the leaders of Barnsley and Rotherham, made a proposal to provide public money until 31 October 2023.
The GatewayEast business and residential development is adjacent to Doncaster Airport and Peel Group plans to extend over the site
Steven Underwood, Chief Executive of Peel Group said, “We look forward to collaborating with our partners to create a vibrant, long-term vision for GatewayEast and the airport site. We will not accept any public sector grant to cover the costs of an airport that is not viable due to its lack of adequate forward revenues and high operating costs. Accepting funds from SYMCA may postpone the inevitable for another thirteen months, but it will divert funds away from services on which communities throughout South Yorkshire rely.
“Instead, we intend to continue working closely with local and national stakeholders to develop a forward-thinking strategy for the airport site, in conjunction with the £1.7 billion GatewayEast development next door, to help unlock vibrant, job-creating alternatives to ensure future growth and prosperity.”
South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard told the BBC he was “devastated by today’s announcement” and angry about the impact the closure would have on local communities. He said a “big bold offer” had been made to Peel to allow the “time and space to bring in the external interest that we know is out there and get a deal done to save DSA”.
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard says he’s devastated & angry about Peel’s decision to close Doncaster Sheffield airport. He says their decision to turn down a funding offer shows “Peel was never serious about finding an alternative and safeguarding the future of DSA.” pic.twitter.com/5jT8YxAWcI
— BBC Radio Sheffield (@BBCSheffield) September 26, 2022
General Aviation operators based at the airport are assessing what to do next. Yorkshire Aero Club, which has its main base at Doncaster Airport, is moving to the satellite base it established at Sandtoft, about 7 miles away.
“It has come with great sadness today, that we have heard of the permanent closure of Doncaster Sheffield Airport. This certainly marks a dark day not only for aviation but for local business as a whole across the South Yorkshire region,” said a club statement.
The National Police Air Service (NPAS) operates four police aeroplanes from the Doncaster airfield. Chief Operating Officer Chief Supt Vicki White said, “We are disappointed by Peel’s decision to close Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Naturally, it wasn’t the decision we were hoping for.
“We operate four police aeroplanes from the Doncaster airfield, providing daily support to police officers on the ground and helping to keep the public safe. The aircraft have also provided important operational support to large events over the past 12 months.
“Since the potential closure was announced in July, we have been in conversation with the operators of the airport and had already started developing contingency plans.”
2Excel also has an operation based at Doncaster Airport. FLYER has asked 2Excel for its views and we will add it to the article when received.
I know many of you will be worrying over the weekend. I want you to know that we are fighting until the last minute to save our airport. pic.twitter.com/d64BvsChb3
— Oliver Coppard (@olivercoppard) September 23, 2022
