Funding Approved for Doncaster Sheffield Airport

[ECCOnoob]

59 minutes ago, slh73 said:

Distance and price have nothing yo do with it. If I'm going to sit on a plane for 5 hours, another hour in the car is neither here nor there. I prefer donny to Manchester because Manchester Airport is probably the worst airport I've ever flown from. Massive queues, no staff, and just a general lack of organisation. Whereas every time I've flown from Doncaster it's been drop the car off, cross the road to check in, straight through that and up the stairs, and you're in departures ready to go. No messing, no hold

 

. 

 

Yes. Everyone keeps praising DSA for those reasons. But that was part of the big problem why its previous operation died on its ass and why it's passenger numbers were through the floor even compared to supposed crap holes like Leeds Bradford Airport. It couldn't even compete with passenger numbers for that. 

 

It's all well and good everyone praising how quiet and lovely and friendly and easy DSA is but to make it profitable it needs proper scheduled flights on a daily basis not just a handful of charter tourist flights for Brits going on their holiday once or twice a year.

It needs to have proper terminal facilities and demand to attract the big flag carrier  long-haul services. 

 

But of course inevitably.... If it did miraculously get that big, that also means passenger numbers would greatly increase, the terminals would start filling up, the queues would significantly grow, the security would get more burdened and troublesome, the terminal facilities, shops seating and vendors would be more crowded, the car parking would reach capacity and probably have to be heavily  controlled, restricted and increase charges  and the resources will be increasingly scratched likely to lead to more potential problems and delays......    So how long would it be before the wonderful easy quiet DSA just becomes another Manchester or Luton or Gatwick with all just the same grumbles and complaints from the passengers. 

 

People can't have it both ways.  Very very few small quiet airports with no crowds and parking on the doorstep make money and certainly don't attract a cornucopia of glamorous big city scheduled routes from the corporate airlines.

 

Given now that it's now OUR  monies that are paying for this debacle which has already being extended, postponed and watered down multiple times, I'm not exactly celebrating it to be something to be proud of or get excited about. 

 

As I've said before on this subject, the whole thing in my opinion is just a vanity project for Coppard and his town hall cronies. 

[HeHasRisen]

Just now, SheffieldForum said:

 

I believe they have secured an operator for the airport, subject to a few details.

 

It is up to the operator to then secure airlines/flights, I would have thought?

 

I would agree with that , yes.

 

So it begs the question has the operator actually spoken to them then 🤣

[SheffieldForum]

1 minute ago, SheffieldForum said:

Initial assessment of the Full Business Case highlights the significant opportunity around South Yorkshire Airport City which could deliver 5,000 direct jobs, a Gross Value Add (GVA) uplift of £6.6bn, and a benefit cost-ratio of 9:1 – anything greater than 1.0 is expected to deliver a positive net present value to an organisation and its investors.  

 

Does that not sound like they have a good business case to proceed?

[HeHasRisen]

Just now, ECCOnoob said:

Yes. Everyone keeps praising DSA for those reasons. But that was part of the big problem why its previous operation died on its ass and why it's passenger numbers were through the floor even compared to supposed crap holes like Leeds Bradford Airport. It couldn't even compete with passenger numbers for that. 

The one time I used it in the last 10 years, it had six flights leaving that day. Three of them were after 8pm involving non-base planes from Wizz.  One left at 6am (TUI).  Mine was at, from memory, half two in the afternoon with TUI and was the only flight leaving 5 hours either side.

 

All sounds very lovely and quiet and yes the paid lounge in the airport was quiet but all that goes once they get a few more than 6 flights a day there.

[SheffieldForum]

Summary of Agenda Item 11 - South Yorkshire Airport City Full Business Case

 

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) Board is reviewing the Full Business Case for the South Yorkshire Airport City (SYAC) initiative to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA). This proposal includes creating a sustainable aviation and advanced manufacturing hub at Gateway East, expected to drive economic growth and support thousands of new jobs in the region. The City of Doncaster Council (CDC) has identified a preferred bidder, an international airport operator, for the project, which projects 5,000 direct and 6,500 indirect jobs and an economic boost of £6.6 billion.

 

The report recommends an additional £3 million in funding for time-sensitive activities necessary for Civil Aviation Authority accreditation and infrastructure development. It also supports referring the project to the Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU) to ensure compliance with public subsidy regulations, with a final decision on funding expected in January 2025. The project aims to resume flights by Spring 2026 and align with SYMCA’s strategic economic objectives, focusing on job creation and regional productivity improvements.

[royalowl]

We used Donny Airport once before it closed. The flight was delayed for 5 hours and we literally saw 1 plane land or take-off during that time. It has to be commercially viable  - will it be? The take-off and landing times are what we are most interested in (after the list of destinations of course), if there are few or no early take-offs then we will continue to travel to Manchester, East Midlands or Leeds.

[HeHasRisen]

Just now, SheffieldForum said:

an international airport operator

Vinci then, imo.

[SheffieldForum]

Here’s a breakdown of the key points for Agenda Item 11 on the South Yorkshire Airport City Full Business Case:

1. Purpose and Context

• The report outlines the progress of the South Yorkshire Airport City (SYAC) initiative, focusing on reopening Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) as part of a larger vision for economic growth at Gateway East.
• The project aims to re-establish aviation at DSA and position it as a hub for sustainable aviation and advanced manufacturing.
• SYAC includes plans to create an Investment Zone focused on advanced manufacturing, supported by major corporations like Boeing, Rolls-Royce, and McLaren already located in the region.

2. Economic and Employment Impact

• The business case projects SYAC will create over 5,000 direct jobs and an additional 6,500 indirect jobs.
• The Gross Value Added (GVA) from the project is estimated at £6.6 billion, with a benefit-cost ratio of 9.1, suggesting high economic returns.
• Re-establishing DSA is expected to recover and expand on the estimated 2,700 jobs lost when the airport closed, with a broader goal of improving regional productivity and quality of life.

3. Commercial Progress

• The City of Doncaster Council (CDC) has led procurement processes, selecting a preferred international airport operator.
• Ongoing negotiations between CDC and the bidder focus on ensuring strong public sector control over the project’s early stages to secure public investment.
• The final commercial terms are expected to be concluded by Christmas 2024.

4. Funding Requirements

• The report recommends releasing an additional £3 million to CDC to support time-sensitive tasks necessary for regulatory accreditation by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and infrastructure readiness.
• These tasks are critical for meeting the target date of Spring 2026 to resume flights.
• A total public subsidy of around £105 million is anticipated, with final decisions to be made after consulting the Subsidy Advice Unit (SAU).

5. Public Investment and Subsidy Considerations

• Given the scale of public funding involved, CDC will refer the project to the Government’s Subsidy Advice Unit to ensure compliance with subsidy regulations, with a response expected in January 2025.
• The SAU’s findings will influence the final funding release decision, ensuring taxpayer interests and subsidy compliance are maintained.

6. Strategic Fit with Regional Goals

• The SYAC project aligns with the Mayoral Combined Authority’s strategic economic goals, promoting “good growth” in South Yorkshire that enables residents to stay in the region while accessing broader opportunities.
• The reopened airport is envisioned as a catalyst for growth, driving long-term economic benefits and solidifying South Yorkshire’s status as an advanced manufacturing and sustainable aviation hub.

7. Risk Management

• The project acknowledges the risks of restarting the airport, including challenges in achieving projected passenger and cargo numbers and recapturing market share.
• The report suggests a phased approach to funding, allowing further assessment of risks following the completion of commercial negotiations and the SAU’s review.

8. Options Considered

• Option 1: Proceed with a full award of funding, committing all Gainshare resources earmarked for Doncaster but removing flexibility for other projects.
• Option 2 (Recommended): Provide incremental funding of £3 million for critical early-stage activities and continue with commercial negotiations, with a final funding decision to follow in January.
• Option 3: Opt not to support the SYAC scheme, which would require covering some ongoing costs without the economic benefits.

9. Environmental Considerations

• The report highlights the environmental impact of reinstating aviation, including carbon emissions, but also mentions mitigative measures such as promoting clean aviation technologies and integrating a potential rail station to reduce travel emissions.

10. Timeline

• Important milestones include:
  • November 2024: Report to MCA Board and SAU referral
  • December 2024: Conclusion of commercial negotiations
  • January 2025: SAU response and final decision from MCA
  • Spring 2026: Planned resumption of commercial flights at DSA

11. Recommendation

• The report recommends Option 2, approving £3 million in development funding and allowing CDC time to finalize commercial negotiations, ensuring public protections for substantial investment and alignment with SAU recommendations.

[HeHasRisen]

2 minutes ago, royalowl said:

if there are few or no early take-offs then we will continue to travel to Manchester, East Midlands or Leeds.

Be absolutely no early (and by early I mean pre 7am) take offs if no planes are based there.

[RollingJ]

7 minutes ago, ECCOnoob said:

As I've said before on this subject, the whole thing in my opinion is just a vanity project for Coppard and his town hall cronies. 

Exactly - despite all the guff from Coppard & co.