Doncaster Sheffield Airport Explained

Doncaster Sheffield Airport
Nativename:Robin Hood Airport
Image2-Width:250
Iata:DSA
Icao:EGCN
Type:Public
Owner:Peel Group
Operator:Doncaster Sheffield Airport Limited
City-Served:South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire
Location:Finningley, near Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Elevation-F:56
Coordinates:53.4753°N -1.0042°W
Pushpin Map:South Yorkshire
Pushpin Label:DSA
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in South Yorkshire
Metric-Rwy:Y
R1-Number:02/20
R1-Length-M:2,893
R1-Surface:Asphalt
Stat-Year:2019
Stat1-Header:Passengers
Stat1-Data:1,407,862
Stat2-Header:Passenger change (18–19)
Stat2-Data:15.2%
Stat3-Header:Aircraft Movements
Stat3-Data:23,043
Stat4-Header:Movements change (18–19)
Stat4-Data:21.7%
Footnotes:Sources: UK AIP at NATS[1]
Statistics from the UK Civil Aviation Authority[2]

Doncaster Sheffield Airport, formerly named and commonly referred to as Robin Hood Airport, was an international airport in Finningley near Doncaster in South Yorkshire, England, in operation between 2005 and 2022. The site lies 60NaN0 south-east of the centre of Doncaster and 190NaN0 east of Sheffield.

History

1915–1995: RAF Finningley

See main article: RAF Finningley. The airport was opened as Finningley Airfield in 1915.

During the First World War, it was a base for the Royal Flying Corps to intercept German Zeppelins targeting industrial cities of Northern England. In the Second World War the airfield was primarily used for training, serving RAF Bomber Command crews; only a few combat missions took off. It was a key facility for nuclear-armed Vulcan bombers in the Cold War before downgrade to training in the 1970s / 1980s and decommissioning by 1995.

The long runway was a Space Shuttle emergency landing site.

2005–2016: Robin Hood Airport

Following the end of scheduled services from Sheffield City Airport, Peel Group opened former RAF Finningley as Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield in April 2005.[3] [4] The Robin Hood label controversially referenced historical accounts placing him in nearby Barnsdale Forest not Sherwood Forest but 11,000 people petitioned to oppose the name.[5]

Promoters initially hoped for 25 million passengers a year.[6] In 2007, one million used the airport. This decreased to 700,000 in 2012, before increasing to just 1.25 million in 2016.[2]

2016–2022: Doncaster Sheffield Airport

In December 2016, Robin Hood Airport rebranded as Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

Flybe closed its facility at the airport in 2019, relocating crew and aircraft,[7] though Wizz Air based two aircraft there in 2020.[8] [9] However in 2022, it too announced the end of flights from the airport stating the airport operators were "unable to guarantee the terms of its commercial agreement". That left TUI Airways as the airport's sole regular customer.[10]

After an extended review and public consultation,[11] [12] Peel proposed an expansion of their adjacent Gateway East property development and the airport closed. TUI operated the final flights on 4 November 2022,[13] and Wizz Air transferred its routes to Leeds Bradford Airport.[14]

Doncaster Council applied for judicial review of the closure process but was refused.[15] In response, the Mayor of Doncaster announced the council's intention to compulsory purchase.[16]

Nevertheless, air traffic control was withdrawn from the airport in December 2022,[17] and the Civil Aviation Authority began to reclassify surrounding airspace.[18]

Post Closure

After protracted negotiation,[19] [20] [21] in March 2024 the Mayor confirmed a 125 year lease to take over the airport had been signed.[22] She subsequently stated an operator had been identified and that she hoped the airport could re-open by Spring 2026.[23]

On 12 November 2024, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority agreed to £3m funding of reinstatement activities and commercial negotiation,[24] as part of a £138m budget to re-open the airport.[25] Flydoncaster Ltd was incorporated on 8 November 2024.[26]

2Excel Aviation are expected to land two aircraft at Doncaster on 6 December 2024, more than two years after the final aircraft departed.

Facilities

The airport has a single runway designated 02/20, with dimensions of 2895by. It was designed for long-range nuclear armed bombers and so is wider than other commercial airports in the north of England.

The passenger terminal had 24 check-in desks, six departure gates and three baggage carousels.

A 102 bed Ramada Encore hotel opened in 2008.[27] It is situated less than ten minutes walk from the Terminal building but is now used to hold immigrants awaiting decisions on their asylum cases.

There are four on-site car parks.[28]

Airport business park

In 2014, a 10ha site on the airport's business park became part of Sheffield City Region Enterprise Zone.[29]

Hangars

No. 3 Hangar was occupied by 2Excel Aviation providing Design, production and Maintenance services.Defence company BAE Systems formerly operated its Aircraft Maintenance Academy from No. 3 Hangar at the airport, before moving to Humberside Airport. Other companies that operated within the hangars included Bespoke Training Systems Limited, a Cessna Citation service centre.[30]

Flight training

The airport was home to Yorkshire Aero Club[31] and Hummingbird Helicopters.[32]

Statistics

Traffic statistics

Traffic statistics at Doncaster Sheffield
YearPassengers
handled		Passenger
% change		Cargo
(tonnes)		Cargo
% change		Aircraft
movements		Aircraft
% change
2005600,907316,914
2006900,06716710,642 53.9
20071,078,3741,60212,667 19.0
2008968,4811,35013,066 3.1
2009835,76834410,854 16.9
2010876,15321611,030 1.6
2011822,87710211,876 7.7
2012693,66127611,724 1.3
2013690,35135411,197 4.5
2014724,88585811,697 4.5
2015857,1093,20111,998 2.6
20161,255,9079,34116,098 34.2
20171,335,5908,65617,435 8.3
20181,222,3477,10718,930 8.5
20191,407,86217,64723,043 21.7

Busiest routes

20 busiest routes to and from Doncaster Sheffield Airport (2019)[33]
RankAirport Passengers
handled 		% change
2018–19
1Bucharest96,612 52.0
2Katowice82,279 1.1
3Gdańsk80,842 10.1
4Alicante68,583 9.7
5Warsaw67,711 1.5
6Vilnius58,793 43.3
7Palma de Malloca55,197 4.4
8Poznań54,514 7.9
9Tenerife–South51,309 0.6
10Amsterdam48,840 16.2
11Riga43,937 3.6
12Málaga42,299 12.5
13Budapest42,116 592.6
14Cluj Napoca41,165 14.3
15Lanzarote39,993 1.5
16Kraków39,345n/a
17Wroclaw35,194 1.4
18Debrecen33,605 2187.6
19Dublin29,779 11.5
20Paphos24,528 9.4

Vulcan XH558

See main article: Avro Vulcan XH558. In 2011, the Vulcan to the Sky Trust flew Avro Vulcan XH558 to the airport, its former operational base. It was the last airworthy example of the Vulcan bomber fleet, restored to flight by the trust in 2007.[34] XH558's final flight was a display over the airport, on 28 October 2015.[35]

In 2022, the trust announced it would leave the airport because its lease could not be renewed.[36] Nevertheless, as of October 2024, the trust and XH558 remained at the airport awaiting negotiations with a new operator.[37]

Transport

The airport is close to M18 motorway junction 3 and a road to it was completed in 2018.[38]

Doncaster railway station on the East Coast Main Line, and the Frenchgate Interchange are 7miles away.

The airport abuts the Doncaster to Lincoln railway line, and plans for a station to replace one that closed in 1961 were granted planning permission in 2008. However, a 2012 report by Network Rail stated that more trains on the line would be required to make it viable.[39] There have been proposals for a dedicated link to the East Coast Main Line.[40]

Accident

On 15 August 2014, Jestream 31 G–GAVA, operating a Links Air flight from Belfast City Airport, crashed on landing at the airport following a landing gear failure; this caused substantial damage to the aircraft. One passenger was taken to hospital with minor injuries. The airport was closed for several hours.[41] [42]

In media

In 2007, the airport featured in the BBC Two documentary Should I Really Give Up Flying? Brian Blessed explored local attitudes to flying.

It has been a location for television series including ITV's Emmerdale,[43] BBC One's drama Hustle,[44] and In the Club.

The airport appeared in Four Lions[45] and was a settings for the BBC mockumentary Come Fly with Me. Matt Lucas and David Walliams spent two weeks at the airport filming.[46]

RAF Finningley was destroyed by a Soviet nuclear warhead in 1984 TV film Threads.[47]

References

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Doncaster Sheffield – EGCN. Nats-uk.ead-it.com. 24 November 2013.
  2. Web site: UK Annual Airport Statistics. CAA. 3 March 2017. 15 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170211070518/http://www.caa.co.uk/Data-and-analysis/UK-aviation-market/Airports/Datasets/. 11 February 2017. live .
  3. Web site: Background Information. Durhamteesvalleyairport.com. 10 February 2012. 24 November 2013. usurped. https://web.archive.org/web/20131106025238/http://www.durhamteesvalleyairport.com/corporate-community/about-us/background-information. 6 November 2013 .
  4. Web site: Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield . Flights Network . 30 October 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080907185546/http://www.flightsnetwork.co.uk/Robin-Hood-Airport-Doncaster-Sheffield-18555012.html . 7 September 2008 .
  5. News: Airport's new name misses target . BBC News . 12 November 2004 . 24 August 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160109153519/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/south_yorkshire/4005945.stm . 9 January 2016 . live .
  6. News: 13 July 2022 . Doncaster Sheffield Airport's future in doubt . BBC News . 13 July 2022 . 13 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220713113720/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-62149511 . live .
  7. Web site: Molly . Dyson . 4 April 2019 . Flybe to stop using Embraer jets . Buying Business Travel . 4 April 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190404094431/https://buyingbusinesstravel.com/news/0430103-flybe-stop-using-embraer-jets . 4 April 2019 . live .
  8. Web site: Wizz Air announces new base and major expansion at Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Wizzair.com. 13 August 2020. 13 August 2020. 1 September 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210901081038/https://wizzair.com/en-gb/information-and-services/about-us/news/2020/08/13/wizz-air-announces-new-base-and-major-expansion-at-doncaster-sheffield-airport. live.
  9. Web site: Doncaster Sheffield Airport -. 1 September 2020. 24 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203850/https://flydsa.co.uk/latest-news/wizz-air-announces-2nd-based-aircraft-and-6-new-routes. dead.
  10. News: Rückzug von Wizz bricht britischem Flughafen das Genick. Stefan . Eisling . aerotelegraph.com . https://web.archive.org/web/20221002074151/https://www.aerotelegraph.com/doncaster-sheffield-rueckzug-von-wizz-bricht-britischem-flughafen-das-genick . 2 October 2022 . German . 28 September 2022.
  11. Web site: 23 August 2022 . Review into Doncaster Sheffield Airport future extended . 24 August 2022 . BBC News . 24 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220824124534/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-62650219 . live .
  12. Web site: Doncaster Sheffield airport consultation extended . Travel Weekly . 26 August 2022 . 24 August 2022 . 26 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220826124427/https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/doncaster-sheffield-airport-consultation-extended . live .
  13. Web site: Bosses confirm closure of Doncaster Sheffield Airport . 26 September 2022 . 26 September 2022 . 26 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220926103742/https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2022-09-26/bosses-confirm-closure-of-doncaster-sheffield-airport . live . ITV .
  14. News: Doncaster Sheffield Airport closure update as Wizz Air confirms flight transfer to Leeds Bradford. leeds-live.co.uk . Dave . Himefield . https://web.archive.org/web/20221005064133/https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/news/leeds-news/doncaster-sheffield-airport-closure-update-25136017 . 5 October 2022. 29 September 2022.
  15. News: Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Judicial review over airport closure refused. BBC News. 1 December 2022. 3 December 2022. 2 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221202191914/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-63822367. live.
  16. News: Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Officials start the process of nationalising airport. The Sheffield Star. 1 December 2022. 3 December 2022. 3 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221203210713/http://www.thestar.co.uk/business/consumer/doncaster-sheffield-airport-officials-start-the-process-of-nationalising-airport-3938993. live. David . Kessen.
  17. News: Over and out:' Air traffic control ends at Doncaster Sheffield Airport as talks go on. Doncaster Free Press. 2 December 2022. 3 December 2022. 2 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221202210507/https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/over-and-out-air-traffic-control-ends-at-doncaster-sheffield-airport-as-talks-go-on-3939891. Burke . Darren. live.
  18. News: Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Airspace to be downgraded. BBC News. 2 December 2022. 3 December 2022. 3 December 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221203233550/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-63833361. live.
  19. News: Shannon . Mower. Doncaster Sheffield Airport: 'Credible offer' submitted to owner Peel Group, claims mayor. Yorkshire Post. 27 October 2022. 7 January 2023. 7 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230107183111/https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/transport/doncaster-sheffield-airport-credible-offer-submitted-to-owner-peel-group-claims-mayor-3895111. live.
  20. News: Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Owners reject council offer to buy site. BBC News. 14 January 2023. 17 January 2023. 16 January 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230116202215/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-64270773. live.
  21. Web site: Doncaster Sheffield Airport latest as mayor sees 'light at the end of the tunnel' . examinerlive.co.uk . 25 September 2023 . 30 September 2023 . 28 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230928164851/https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/local-news/doncaster-sheffield-airport-latest-mayor-27784300 . live . Tom . Kershaw.
  22. Web site: News. South Yorkshire MCA.
  23. Web site: Lucy . Ashton. 2024-11-04 . Doncaster Sheffield Airport could reopen for flights in 2026 . 2024-11-21 . BBC News . en-gb.
  24. Web site: Davies . Phil . Regional leaders agree £3m to support Doncaster Sheffield airport reopening . 2024-11-21 . Travel Weekly . en . 14 November 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20241114073310/https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/air/regional-leaders-agree-3m-to-support-doncaster-sheffield-airport-reopening . live .
  25. Web site: Doncaster Sheffield Airport costs expected to rise, meeting hears . 12 November 2024. 2024-11-21 . www.bbc.com. Lucy. Ashton. en-GB.
  26. Web site: Flydoncaster Ltd. 26 November 2024. Companies House.
  27. Web site: Ramada Encore Hotel Lands at Airport Business Park . Robin Hood Airport . 24 November 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131202223848/http://www.robinhoodairport.com/page.php?p=3&archive=2007&offset=0&media_id=159 . 2 December 2013 .
  28. Web site: Car parking Doncaster Sheffield Airport. flydsa.co.uk. 13 May 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170507073145/http://flydsa.co.uk/car-parking/. 7 May 2017. live.
  29. News: Sheffield City Region Enterprise Zone announces expansion plans . Newton-Syms . Ellie . The Business Desk . 11 March 2014 . 12 March 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150402123938/http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/yorkshire/news/588887-sheffield-city-region-enterprise-zone-reveals-expansion-plans.html . 2 April 2015 . live .
  30. News: Cessna announces first UK Citation Service Centre. 25 September 2012. FLYER. 2 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170103004337/https://www.flyer.co.uk/cessna-announces-first-uk-citation-service-centre/. 3 January 2017. live.
  31. Web site: Yorkshire Aero Club . 4 January 2018 . 23 December 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191223165941/https://www.yac.uk/ . live .
  32. Web site: Welcome to Hummingbird Helicopters . 9 October 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180902231121/https://www.hummingbirdhelicopters.co.uk/ . 2 September 2018 . live .
  33. Web site: CAA. International Air Passenger Traffic To and From Reporting Airports for 2019 Comparison with 2018. 5 May 2020 . 18 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200318223916/https://www.caa.co.uk/uploadedFiles/CAA/Content/Standard_Content/Data_and_analysis/Datasets/Airport_stats/Airport_data_2019_annual/Table_12_1_Intl_Air_Pax_Route_Analysis.pdf . dead .
  34. Web site: Welcome Home – Vulcan XH558 returns to Doncaster. https://web.archive.org/web/20151126073312/http://www.globalaviationresource.com/reports/2011/xh558dsa.php?sms_ss=facebook&at_xt=4d9b177d257f8729,0 . 26 November 2015 . Global Aviation Resource . 5 April 2011.
  35. Web site: Final Flight report . Vulcan To The Sky . 30 October 2015 . 31 July 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160109153519/http://www.vulcantothesky.org/news/716/82/Final-Flight-report.html . 9 January 2016 . dead .
  36. News: Doncaster: Vulcan XH558 to be moved from South Yorkshire home. BBC News. 15 August 2022. 15 August 2022. 15 August 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220815115554/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-62548065. live.
  37. Web site: Update from Vulcan to the Sky Trust. 31 October 2024 . Vulcan to the Sky .
  38. Web site: Second phase of 'hugely significant' Great Yorkshire Way in Doncaster completed . BDaily News . 15 June 2018 . 18 October 2018 . 27 August 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190827065829/https://bdaily.co.uk/articles/2018/06/15/second-phase-of-hugely-significant-great-yorkshire-way-in-doncaster-completed . live .
  39. Network Rail, Route Specifications 2012 – London North Eastern, p. 76
  40. Web site: Proposed £280 million Doncaster airport rail link could create 70,000 jobs . Doncaster Free Press . 21 March 2018 . 14 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180714135240/https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/proposed-280-million-doncaster-airport-rail-link-could-create-70-000-jobs-1-9075514 . 14 July 2018 . live .
  41. News: Robin Hood airport remains closed . The Guardian . 16 August 2014 . 18 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180718144907/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/aug/16/doncaster-airport-closed-plane-undercarriage-problem . 18 July 2018 . live .
  42. Web site: Ranter . Harro . ASN Aircraft accident British Aerospace 3102 Jetstream 31 G-GAVA Doncaster/Sheffield-Robin Hood Airport (DCA) . aviation-safety.net . 18 July 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180718174411/https://aviation-safety.net/database/record.php?id=20140815-0 . 18 July 2018 . live .
  43. News: Emmerdale filming takes place at Doncaster's Robin Hood Airport. Doncaster Free Press. 26 January 2017 . 18 February 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170218232031/http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/emmerdale-filming-takes-place-at-doncaster-s-robin-hood-airport-warning-spoiler-alert-1-8354500. 18 February 2017. live.
  44. Web site: Robin Hood Airport . Robin Hood Airport . 24 November 2013 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20131202232438/http://www.robinhoodairport.com/press-releases/hustler-s-take-over-airport-.for-two-days-of-filming.html . 2 December 2013 .
  45. Web site: Four Lions (2010) : Filming Locations. IMDb.com. 31 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160316104925/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1341167/locations. 16 March 2016. live.
  46. News: Burke . Darren . Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Call for TV's David Walliams and Matt Lucas to join fight . 14 June 2023 . Doncaster Free Press . 14 July 2022.
  47. News: Hogan . Michael . Britain after the atomic bomb: why Threads is more terrifying than ever . 14 June 2023 . The Telegraph . 9 April 2018. subscription.

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