Doncaster Sheffield airport ‘could close’ following review

Peel Group has conducted a review of the airport following the pandemic and Wizz Air’s decision to close its base there. Peel Group acquired the former RAF Finningley in 1999, converting it to a commercial airport that opened in 2005, branding as Robin Hood airport.

It said: “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.”

Data from Cirium shows that in 2019, Doncaster Sheffield recorded 4,609 departures – equating to nearly 750,000 seats, most of which were from Wizz Air and the former Flybe.

Wizz Air and Tui were due to offer 44 destinations from the airport this year. Tui said: “We are aware of the announcement that Doncaster Sheffield airport is currently reviewing strategic options.

“We have proudly flown to popular holiday destinations since 2005 and understand flying from a local airport is extremely important to our customers.

"We would like to reassure our customers that our holidays and flights from Doncaster Sheffield airport are still operating as normal. We will remain in close contact with the airport throughout the consultation period and will update customers when more information is available to us.”

Robert Hough, chair of Peel Airports Group, which also owns Liverpool airport, added: “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.”

Peel Group said it would now undertake an “engagement period” with all those potentially affected while the airport continued to operate as normal.