Doncaster Sheffield - General Thread

[pug]

Its not just the runway, the infrastructure could not comfortably handle any significant amount of heavy aircraft without yet more investment.

There were rumours that FedEx wanted to open an operation at DSA moving away from MAN. The problem i have with that is that it was while i worked at FedEx myself and i was told, after the takeover of ANC that the main UK hub in stoke would be taken on by FedEx and that the only conveniant airports would be MAN and EMA.

All other operators seem to be happy with EMA so hence the need for a runway extension. Even TNT wanted to use HUY but the management refused to open 24hr so they continued at EMA.

 

[White Heather]

Some years ago TNT wanted to open a base at LBA, but although our management wanted to be able to open 24/7 to accommodate them, the night flying ban was still in force and so we lost them at that time to Liverpool. We could have had a lot of flights and jobs at the time, and who knows, they may have still been there, although frankly I doubt it now with the problems with accessing the airport and the absence of decent road links to the Motorway network. DSA has the same problems. EMA and MAN are right on the Motorways which is a huge advantage.

 

[White Heather]

According to Ceefax, DSA had just two scheduled flight up until 7pm tonight (not sure after that since DSA tend to only show a couple at a time to keep us all guessing). However, the only flights shown were the Flybe from Belfast and a single TOM flight due in this evening. This must be just about rock bottom for the airport and probably one (if not THE) lowest number of flights inbound for any airport in the UK at the moment.

 

[pug]

Perhaps im reading too much into it but a well known poster on the 'fraternity forum' would suggest that DSA are in talks with a view to a hub service for connections to long-haul.

Anyone think of who they may be refering to?

 

[Aviador]

Well I can't see it being KLM because they would jeopardize their services from both Leeds and Humberside. Supposedly, they aren't happy with the Liverpool service because of the dilution of the Manchester service.

 

[White Heather]

Air France?

Whoever, this will be more spin and nothing much. It is a bit of a climb down given that Peel were telling us that their long runway would mean that they would be opearting long haul from DSA. Now they are talking about a hub to fly pax from somewhere else as if that was something out of the ordinary!

 

[backtrack]

I personally cant see DSA pulling this one off. With Manchester so close (in relative terms) and possible expansion nearing LBA (hopefully), would DSA be able to attract the demand and then hold it?

 

[pug]

I hear Peel are constantly in talks with KLM over a service from DSA, problem is, as i have it, that it would need to be a stand alone service. To be honest its not exactly in the best position for the business pax in Sheffield.

I have been told that HUY is too convenient to leave, allegedly it would cost much more in fuel to operate to DSA than to HUY. This, i am told, is due to KLM being able to drop out of the airway at Skeggy and straight into HUY. This also keeps flight times low. Also studies show that 76% of pax using the service have o&d's in the Humber region with a further 12% coming from Lincolnshire. Plus its one of their more successful regional routes. I cannot see KLM jeappordising that for an airport which has failed to pull up any trees since it opened.

 

[White Heather]

Another bad day for DSA. I was shocked to see this morning on Ceefax that the first arrival of the day at Donny was scheduled for 1800 from Paphos. Absolutely nothing else showing for the whole day. Not sure about this evening as DSA tend to only show a couple of arrivals at a time rather than the whole day. Even so, the airport appears to have been open all day with no movements at all until this TOM flight at 1800hrs

 

[Aviador]

They did manage to pick up the LBA KLM service on a divert do weather at Leeds. KLM don't use the CAT III.

 

[White Heather]

Yes I saw that in your other post, but as I mentioned there, KLM diverting to Doncaster is unusual as they usually only go to HUY, DTV or MAN (airports they operate from).

 

[pug]

Perhaps it was due to the low fog and the use of the CATIII at Donny which was the deciding factor? Pretty dreadful weather last night.

 

[White Heather]

I cannot see how KLM could work from DSA. They operated using an F50 from the old Sheffield City Airport and that made losses apparently, leading to the service being terminated. If they couldn't fill a 50 seat aircraft from an airport located just 5 miles from the City Centre, how on earth will they fill a 70 seat aircraft from an airport that is 25 miles away?

It appears though that DSA have managed to get on KLM's divert list, and I suspect that will be all they acheive in the near future with regard to KLM.

 

[pug]

Looks like they will have been in talks wth them again, afterall they did start LPL last year. Ive already posted the downsides for them operating out of DSA, i would hope that they didnt go and pull out of HUY, but the businesses in the Humber region made their voices known during a KLM market research drive a couple of years ago... They defended HUY vehemently, and looking at the stats they are the ones who use the service most.

I believe if they did start at DSA it would have to be a stand alone operation to see how well it does, in a way i kind of hope they would do this just to see if it would work, as you say SZD was a problem, got to remember that when they had 3xdaily AMS service HUY had 6xdaily!!

I have been told that HUY is too conveniant for KLM, i believe it is second hand info passed on from a KLM captain, the fuel savings compared to DSA are higher than people would expect, due to HUYs location they can just drop straight in most of the time, keeps flight time way down.

I assume this is the way DSA are working at the moment, not managing to gain new routes so instead offering airlines a well equiped diversion airfield in the hope they see some potential, they've done it with Jet2 afterall, Jet2 have said themselves that they will not operate from DSA except for the odd diversion and training flight. Whether KLM will or not remains to be seen, i cannot see HUY letting them go without a fight and it seems to be one of the things HUY has over DSA....

Another possible problem, i would assume that if the worst happened and KLM did pull out of HUY, then another operator would step in? Eastern or the like could offer a code share? Or perhaps a completely different operator considering the strength of the route. This would severely affect KLM's load from DSA and could drive them out of the area. They need business pax not fickle leisure pax for such a route. Im not convinced that DSA is conveniant enough for a large number of regular users.

 

[Aviador]

I suppose they could consider offering fewer rotations from both LBA and HUY to provide capacity for a twice daily service from DSA but I doubt they will do that because of the cost implications of opening another base.

 

[pug]

I cant imagine that they would have to reduce the frequency at LBA just HUY. Then again, if they ever do it i would hope they run them both along side each other just to test the market. The problem is i suspect they would need a very good financial deal to do this as, like you say, it would cost a significant amount to set up an operation from DSA.

According to ticket tracing figures, out of the pax using KLM from HUY, 86% of them have o/d's in the Humber region, 12% have o/d's in Lincolnshire. Thats if i remember the figures correctly. Im sure that no more than 3% come from outside of the region.

 

[pug]

Travelmole are touting a new airline for DSA to be announced tomorrow.

An unnamed new airline to start operating from Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield is to be confirmed tomorrow (Thursday).

Airport owner Peel Airports is to reveal what it describes as “probably be the most significant development for the airport in recent years”.

Airport and local tourism bosses are due to reveal the details in an announcement touted as bringing important benefits for the region’s tourism industry.

Im hoping its not TCX, Jet2 or KLM!!!

Easyjet perhaps?

Edit: Looks like it might be KLM or Jet2. Could be interesting and also significantly bad news for HUY if its either of those.

 

[Aviador]

Yes and I notice the fraternity site is no longer open to non registered users, presumably so they can discuss the breaking news on there first?

I wouldn't read too much from it just yet because as we know, Peel are frequent romancers and it could turn out to be nothing more than hot air. I hope for their sake that they have pulled some new business off. Personally I can't see any major UK based operator making any major inroads there given the airports past performance and failures. I would be very cautious of opening a new base there at the best of times let alone during a recession.

 

[pug]

I hope you are right and i may be reading too much into it again but i have a feeling it could be KLM. They appear to have improved relations recently (DTV and LPL) and then there was that unusual divert to DSA last week which suggests they have been in talks.

I have no issue with them attracting KLM, as long as its not to the detriment of what they built up at HUY, as it would show whether it can work or not.

 

[Aviador]

[textarea]RENAISSANCE LAUNCH NEW EUROPEAN HQ IN DONCASTER

Invest in Doncasters Take Off at the Airport (TOA) team funded by Success Doncaster celebrated a massive success last night at the launch of Canadian company, Renaissance International Completions, European headquarters at Robin Hood Airport Business Park.

The company join Doncaster’s business community in a three way partnership with Invest in Doncaster and Directions CIC. This new European base will be a unique one-stop-shop for executive jets at the airport where they can be serviced, painted and have interior refurbishment - the only one of its kind in Europe. The company boasts a worldwide client list and Doncaster will become its international office so they can serve the European and Middle East Market. In the long term, Renaissance has plans to expand their operations at the airport.

The well attended event saw guests arriving from all over the world. Speeches were given by Mike Morton (Airport Director), Richard Smith (Directions Chief Executive Officer), Bryan Landry (Renaissance President), Cllr Jonathan Wood, Pierre Boulanger (Agent General), Caroline Flint MP, Alan Tolhurst (Station Commander).

Members of the TOA team met Renaissance at a trade fair in Montreal earlier this year where they encouraged them to look at Doncaster as a place to set up a new base. Directions joined in the negotiations at the next meeting and the rest is history. With five permanent staff initially from January, Renaissance is looking to expand to 70 more people in the near future.

Councillor Jonathan Wood commented: “Renaissance International Completions expansion into Doncaster to establish their international operation represents the pinnacle of Invest in Doncaster’s success stories. The TOA team have worked with them from their very first meetings in Montreal earlier this year and their advice and guidance has continued throughout helping the company get where they are today.”

Richard Smith, Directions CEO, went on to state: “It has been a pleasure working with Bryan and his team and we are delighted to welcome them to Robin Hood Airport. They share the vision we have for developing an aviation cluster and with their expertise and track record I am convinced they will prosper and by so doing they will attract further business to Doncaster.”

Bryan Landry, President of Renaissance International Holdings, said: “There’s no doubt that the warm welcome of Doncaster’s residents, its dynamic working environment, and the beautiful scenic view of South Yorkshire, played a significant role in our decision to choose Robin Hood Airport as its completions service hub of Europe.

“We would like to thank all those involved for giving us this opportunity to develop our European operations benefiting both Renaissance and Doncaster’s business community.”

Mayor Peter Davies, added: “We have to ensure Doncaster makes the most of strategic airport location, and we certainly do that with developments like Renaissance – a forward looking company with a vision and realization of the potential that exists in Doncaster”.

Mike Morton, Director of Doncaster Sheffield Airport said: “We are delighted to welcome Renaissance to the airport business park.
Their arrival at the airport follows news in recent weeks of the National Security
Training Centre and BAE operating from the airport business park.
We will continue to work with the TOA team to build a robust business park benefiting the local economy.”

Source[/textarea]

Ultimately this is just another government handout funding this so called investment by Renaissance International Completions otherwise they wouldn't be seeking to base their operation there. It's a shame that other airports in the region can't get the same kind of assistance as that thrown at Doncaster airport.