Roberta Aguirre
Doncaster Sheffield Airport, also known as Robin Hood Airport, is set to close despite a promise by former Prime Minister Liz Truss to protect it. The airport, which is located six miles from Doncaster and 19 miles from Sheffield, has faced several challenges, including plateauing passenger numbers, the withdrawal of key operators, and financial viability issues. The owner, Peel Group, has cited high fixed costs and reduced aviation income streams as reasons for the closure, which is expected to impact up to 2,700 employees and businesses within the local area. With Doncaster's growing reputation as a distribution hub and its recent city status award, the closure of the airport raises questions about the region's connectivity and attractiveness to future investors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for closure | Plateauing passenger numbers, withdrawal of key operators, lack of commercial viability, high fixed costs, collapse of the pound, and loss of flights from budget airlines |
| Owner | Peel Group |
| Year of opening | 2005 |
| Location | Doncaster, South Yorkshire |
| Distance from Doncaster | 6 miles |
| Distance from Sheffield | 19 miles |
| Main airline customer | Tui |
| Number of competing airports within an hour's drive | 4 |
| Distance from Humberside | 28 miles |
| Distance from Leeds Bradford | 38 miles |
| Distance from East Midlands | 46 miles |
| Distance from Manchester | 53 miles |
| Number of people directly employed | 800 |
| Potential total impact on employees, residents, and businesses | 2,700 |
| Year of closure | 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
The airport's financial viability
Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) has faced financial difficulties since its opening in 2005. The airport has struggled with increasing passenger numbers, which peaked at 1.4 million in 2019 but have since declined due to the withdrawal of key operators and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2022, the airport suffered a significant blow when budget airline Wizz Air abruptly ceased operations at DSA, leaving only Tui as the remaining carrier using its facilities. This resulted in a further decrease in flight numbers, with the airport's owner, Peel Group, reporting a decline of over 50% in flight operations since 2019.
The high fixed costs of running the airport, coupled with the collapse of the pound, have contributed to the airport's financial woes. According to South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, the region had invested public money into the airport over the years, but the airport owners turned down offers of continued support and potential new investment opportunities.
Despite the offer of financial aid from public funds and the intervention of local politicians, including Prime Minister Liz Truss, Peel Group maintained that there was a fundamental lack of financial viability for the airport. They stated that the airport had never attracted enough passengers to be profitable and that no tangible proposals had been received to address the financial challenges.
The closure of Doncaster Sheffield Airport is expected to impact up to 2,700 employees, residents, and businesses in the local area, highlighting the significant economic consequences of the airport's financial struggles and eventual closure.
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The collapse of the pound
Doncaster Sheffield Airport is set to close due to a variety of factors, including the collapse of the pound, which has significantly raised aviation costs. The airport has faced challenges in increasing passenger numbers since its reopening in 2005, with a peak of 1.4 million passengers in 2019. However, the withdrawal of key operators, such as Flybe and Wizz Air, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to the airport's financial struggles.
The value of the pound has been affected by various economic factors, including inflation and the energy crisis. As a result, the cost of aviation fuel, maintenance, and staffing has increased, putting pressure on airports that were already struggling financially.
For Doncaster Sheffield Airport, the collapse of the pound has made it even more challenging to attract new airlines and increase passenger numbers. With higher costs, the airport becomes less attractive to low-cost carriers and budget-conscious travellers, further reducing its potential for profitability.
The impact of the pound's collapse on aviation costs has been sharp, and it has contributed to the decision to close Doncaster Sheffield Airport. With the airport already facing financial difficulties, the increased costs associated with a weakened pound made it difficult for the airport to continue operating viably.
The closure of the airport will have a significant impact on the local community, with the potential loss of up to 2,700 jobs, according to Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones. It remains to be seen what the future holds for the airport and the region, but the collapse of the pound has undoubtedly played a role in the decision to cease aviation operations at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
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The impact on jobs
The closure of Doncaster Sheffield Airport is expected to have a significant impact on jobs in the region. The airport directly employs around 800 people, and the local authority estimates that up to 2,700 employees, residents, and businesses could be affected by the closure. This includes not just those directly employed by the airport but also the wider supply chain and local businesses that rely on the airport for custom.
The loss of connectivity to the region may also make the area less attractive to future investors, potentially impacting job creation in the region. Doncaster has been establishing itself as one of the UK's major distribution hubs, with companies like Amazon investing in the area. However, with the closure of the airport, new businesses and investors may look elsewhere to cities with direct access to a local airport.
The decision to close the airport has been blamed on the high costs of running an airport, particularly in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw a collapse in air travel and the loss of several budget airlines serving Doncaster Sheffield Airport. The airport's owners, the Peel Group, stated that the airport had never attracted enough passengers to be profitable, and despite offers of financial aid and support from local authorities, they were unable to secure the airport's future.
The impact of the closure on jobs in the region has been a significant concern for local politicians and communities. South Yorkshire's mayor, Oliver Coppard, expressed devastation at the decision and anger at the impact on the community. He highlighted the public money that had been invested in the airport and the efforts made to find a path forward, including the offer of continued support and the chance to meet potential new investors.
In response to the closure, an inquiry has been launched to examine whether extra powers could have been used to protect the airport and its employees. The local council is also working to secure the airport's future, with plans to lease the airport from its owners and eventually reopen it. £138 million of taxpayer money has been allocated for this purpose, with councillors celebrating the decision as a 'massive step forward'.
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The withdrawal of airlines
Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) has struggled with profitability since its opening in 2005. The COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of flights from two budget airlines, Flybe and Wizz Air, have dealt significant blows to the airport's financial viability.
In early 2020, Flybe went bust and withdrew its routes from DSA. Later that same year, the pandemic put commercial flights on hold. Wizz Air, which had been operating at DSA, abruptly closed its base at the airport in June 2022, becoming the second budget airline to cease operations there. This left Tui, Britain's biggest holiday company, as the only remaining carrier using the airport's facilities.
The withdrawal of these airlines resulted in a sharp decline in flight numbers, with the airport's owners, Peel Group, reporting that flight numbers had fallen by more than half since 2019. This decrease in flights, coupled with the high fixed costs of running an airport, made it challenging for DSA to remain financially viable.
In their statement, Peel Group cited the lack of financial viability as a key reason for the airport's impending closure, expressing disappointment and acknowledging the impact on employees, businesses, and communities. The group also mentioned that they had turned down offers of continued financial support and the opportunity to meet potential new investors, further highlighting the financial challenges facing the airport.
The closure of Doncaster Sheffield Airport underscores the difficult financial landscape faced by regional airports, with connectivity and access playing a crucial role in their survival and attractiveness to investors.
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The airport's history
Doncaster Sheffield Airport, formerly known as Robin Hood Airport, began its life as a military airfield. The site was first used for aviation during World War II when it served as a base for the Royal Air Force's No. 1 Group. After the war, the airfield fell into disuse until the 1960s when it was reopened as a civilian airport.
During the 1960s and 1970s, the airport was primarily used for general aviation and charter flights. In the early 1980s, it was renamed Doncaster Sheffield Airport and began to offer scheduled commercial flights. However, the airport struggled to compete with larger nearby airports, and it changed hands several times over the next two decades.
In 2005, the airport was purchased by Peel Group, which invested significant funds into upgrading the facilities and attracting new airlines. This led to a period of growth for the airport, with several new routes being introduced and passenger numbers increasing. In 2016, the airport was renamed Doncaster Sheffield Airport to emphasize its role as a regional gateway for South Yorkshire and the surrounding areas.
At its peak, Doncaster Sheffield Airport served over 1.2 million passengers annually and offered flights to a range of domestic and European destinations. It played a particularly important role for leisure travelers, with a strong focus on low-cost carriers and package holiday flights. The airport also had a significant cargo operation, serving as a base for companies such as FedEx and UPS.
However, despite these successes, the airport continued to face financial challenges. Competition from larger airports, such as Leeds Bradford and East Midlands, made it difficult for Doncaster Sheffield to attract new airlines and maintain existing routes. In addition, the airport was not able to secure the investment required to further develop its infrastructure and expand its route network.
As a result, passenger numbers began to decline, and in 2022, it was announced that the airport would be closing. The final passenger flights operated in November 2022, bringing to a close the airport's long and varied history.
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Frequently asked questions
Doncaster Sheffield Airport is closing due to a lack of commercial viability. The airport has struggled to increase passenger numbers since it opened in 2005, and the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of flights from two budget airlines, Flybe and Wizz Air, further impacted its financial situation.
The closure of Doncaster Sheffield Airport is expected to impact up to 2,700 employees, residents, and businesses in the local area. The airport's owner, Peel Group, has stated that it will work closely with local authorities to minimise the impact of the closure.
Yes, there were efforts made to prevent the closure. Local politicians and the Department for Transport expressed disappointment and encouraged Peel Group to reconsider their decision. There were also offers of financial aid from public funds and support from the local community. However, Peel Group stated that there were no tangible proposals to address the airport's financial viability or potential buyers.
