Doncaster airport

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I've never doubted Fletcher's desire to keep the airport open.

What I do object to are his claims and inferences that he's playing a leading role in the fight. All this stay strong and I'm on it b*llocks, while he writes letters to all and sundry.

He isn't, DMBC and the SY Mayor have identified potential buyers and offered Peel the interim £7 million.

I've read his recent facebook post and there's nothing new in it. More pointless
self promotion.

Totally agree with all that. On one hand you could say he's keeping the airport on the agenda every day with his postings but throughout, he's been a political opportunist and has been like a Parrot on the shoulder of Oliver Coppard.

Even in his latest post, he's made out that SYMCA have been sitting in their hands while bringing the names of the consortia forward. Coppard had already said, they were working hard with layers and the consortia to get to the point of submitting their letters of intent.

One of the reasons I believe he hasn't been included in the working groups, is he's seen as a loose cannon.

[Sprotyrover]

Fletcher is doing what he should be doing as MP for that part of Donny, the other two seem disinterested and I am not happy with the apparent lack of inclusion from Oliver Coppard and Rhos Jones.

[Filo]

Fletcher is doing what he should be doing as MP for that part of Donny, the other two seem disinterested and I am not happy with the apparent lack of inclusion from Oliver Coppard and Rhos Jones.

You only see what you want to see Milliband spends a good deal of his time in his consituency, I’ve seen and met him plenty of times in and around Stainforth, he calls in at Stainforth Library very often

[Sprotyrover]

He is myMp and I wrote to him over a Pension issue a few years ago and considering who he is/was his reply letter was pathetic, just advised me to roll over, my colleagues wrote to their local Mp's who were all Labour and got real help support and advice, we eventually won our argument but it was no thanks to that useless waste of space. Micheal Mann I would have scored at 10 ,the others were all 7-8 but that idiot scored minus 5!

[Sprotyrover]

The Parliamentary debate last night was a bit fractious,politics got in the way of unity, ed Milliband centred on a CAA but Nick Fletcher advised it had been seriously looked at and deemed not viable.
A couple of things came out ,the regional Authority had an opportunity to buy a £20 million pound share in the Airport but didn't that would have made them shareholders and this seemed to cause Peel to think there was disinterest and they could go ahead and close.
That has been realised today hence Ros Jones threatening a compulsory purchase order, hopefully the regional Group is behind her in this.

[Not Now Kato]

Well worth reading, this is what was actually discussed....
 
https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2022-10-24/debates/6C70DCF6-3434-49BA-BAC1-CD99D23B6D55/DoncasterSheffieldAirport?fbclid=IwAR1rLsBnUBFLBdZUTPlsBXBlhjKp21AHpOLRKp0sW1Ww5D8viwqNIcSiNzc#contribution-47BF2BAC-92E5-4A8D-9E33-92846B7EF79F
 
 
and
 
https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2022-10-24/debates/4D724395-D3B2-498E-A7DF-962B3A940E54/DoncasterSheffieldAirport?fbclid=IwAR01OvmQhSXGa5QTV97NMal7RIwk-L68Q--Ttu_uCFtUSHlw0LEA2_TzW68#contribution-01A1E498-5243-486B-9204-A3B712D1AAC0
 

[Chris the Rover]

The person who should be most held to account over this sorry state of affairs is Coppard. His refusal to either lend Peel, or purchase an equity share of the airport, in March, for 20 million, has cost thousands of jobs and untold millions in lost revenue to the area. It’s an absolute disgrace.

[Not Now Kato]

The person who should be most held to account over this sorry state of affairs is Coppard. His refusal to either lend Peel, or purchase an equity share of the airport, in March, for 20 million, has cost thousands of jobs and untold millions in lost revenue to the area. It’s an absolute disgrace.

Did you read the links I posted above?

[Filo]

Well worth reading, this is what was actually discussed....
 
https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2022-10-24/debates/6C70DCF6-3434-49BA-BAC1-CD99D23B6D55/DoncasterSheffieldAirport?fbclid=IwAR1rLsBnUBFLBdZUTPlsBXBlhjKp21AHpOLRKp0sW1Ww5D8viwqNIcSiNzc#contribution-47BF2BAC-92E5-4A8D-9E33-92846B7EF79F
 
 
and
 
https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2022-10-24/debates/4D724395-D3B2-498E-A7DF-962B3A940E54/DoncasterSheffieldAirport?fbclid=IwAR01OvmQhSXGa5QTV97NMal7RIwk-L68Q--Ttu_uCFtUSHlw0LEA2_TzW68#contribution-01A1E498-5243-486B-9204-A3B712D1AAC0
 

It’s clear reading those that Fletcher is manouvreing himself away from any blame. There was a public demonstration outside the Terminal building at the weekend, he was nowhere to be seen!

[DonnyBazR0ver]

The person who should be most held to account over this sorry state of affairs is Coppard. His refusal to either lend Peel, or purchase an equity share of the airport, in March, for 20 million, has cost thousands of jobs and untold millions in lost revenue to the area. It’s an absolute disgrace.

I'm not sure that it's quite as simple as tipping over £20m of public funds, whether that be for a stakehold, or loan, without asking questions of Peel. Peel who are a multi million pound company making huge profits, who could cover any shortfall very easily or obtain finance through other institutions should they wish.

What strings would be attached to a stakehold in terms of covering operational losses? I wonder whether Peel wanted the combined authority to cover more than their fair share of operational losses whilst they make the profits from the property side of the operation.

I think it was only reasonable therefore that during whatever discussions took place,  SYMCA asked some questions, particularly, when it's been thought Peel weren't operating the airport to it's potential.

Fletcher obviously pointed the finger at SYMCA but Dan Jarvis refuted the claims and offered to talk Fletcher through the discussions.

I bet it's not a simple as saying £20m could have saved the airport. What's to say Peel would back again, asking for another £20m further down the line.

You could also argue if government had been quicker in approving funding for the Rail terminal development, Peel may have stuck with the vision they saw in their video of 2019, who knows.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

If they'd handed over public money without proper analysis of the books it would have been criminal, no justification for doing so.

I don't think the local authorities have been anything like as strong as they should have been but what support has government offered?  Jack all as far as I can see.

[Sprotyrover]

I get the impression that Oliver Coppard has very little interest in saving the Airport, the South and West Yorkshire regions are fully committed to pumping what money they have into the Bus services,
The Airport issue popped up out of the blue and is an unwanted distraction. I don't think Coppard even comprehends the financial blow which will impact the region! To be honest neither did I,£100 million is a lot of money to lose, Peel are talking about attracting high tech industries,well they own 800 acres around the Airport already that's a lot of space. I think they are after selling the 6 foot thick runway and then extracting the aggregates under it for a lot of money!

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Unfortunately I can't share that view Sproty. I think Coppard and the SYMCA have done all they realistically could do in a short space of time. That is bringing in private investors to the table. However, all along it seems Nick Fletcher has taken every opportunity to discredit the actions, or trying to make folk believe the non action, of SYMCA, inferring they have some magic power to force Peel to sell. Coppard has alot on his plate and only so much money to play with.

It is also emerging tonight that Peel may have employed a lobbying firm to influence Anne Marie Travellyan to push the narrative of the airport being non viable. It seemed quite clear to me she had either not done her homework, or not been briefed correctly about Peels history of running the airport amid concerns they were not exploiting it's full potential. It seems the Govt are being over protective of Peel and their business dealings if you ask me.

Meanwhile, it appears negotiations are still ongoing with Peel and even Fletcher has confirmed its a viable bid and he seems to have adopted a more conciliatory approach these last couple of days.

[donnyguy]

The last tui with passengers has departed to Tenerife tonight. Next week it’s just passengers returning.

[Donnywolf]

What a sick situation.

City of Doncaster and City of Sheffield now being stripped of a regional airport

Peel are "gits" of that there is no doubt and I said earlier they are on a win win (as ever)

On the other hand is the Airport viable ? Peel pulled the same stunt at Tees Valley and then flogged out for (probably) a great profit but now the local Authority have to sustain the loss making Airport annually

That must involve higher Council Taxes (I am guessing) so would that be good for us to go the same way. It might boil down to would you pay £100 each year maybe to have the convenience of using DSA ?

Generally and anecdotally it costs much more for a trip to the same place if using say Manchester so simplistically  you could be shelling out 100 quid for the privilege of paying even more to use DSA

Or do you think it's worth a ton to keep all the jobs but claw it back by using cheaper airports. Save 300 less the 100 and you've got 200 and kept local airport going

Simplistic figures used as examples but not a simple question

Me I think I'd pay via Council Tax to boost our economy , use the Airport if possible but get some back if possible as / when I use a different Airport

It is not a simple one to answer as lots of people won't ever fly so in that sense they would not see any direct benefits though they could benefit from the boost to the local economy

I don't have the answer(s) and by now it's probably "academic" as well

[drfchound]

Wolfie, your post show quite clearly why decisions like “save DSA” are always difficult to make.

[i_ateallthepies]

DW, I certainly would pay a bit more to keep the Airport.  For one thing, a £12 taxi fare each way compared to travel to any other airport with fuel and parking makes it a no-brainer.
A crying shame we're losing it.

[Filo]

There is a credible offer on the table, even Fletcher has said it is credible after all his posturing, it’s a shame he couldn’t get onside earlier given that the airport is in his constituency

[phil o sophical]

According to Peel there is no credible offer on the table Filo. During all this saga it's never been clear who has been telling the truth. Might be nice if whoever has come forward with this alleged offer stepped out of the shadows and forced the hand of either of the parties involved. You do get a feeling that it's all too little too late

[Donnywolf]

I would imagine that Peel WILL be right if Tees Valley was anything to go by

They bought the Site (DSA that is) got it going , attracted lots of business and got lots of investment in local infrastructure

However the killer blow it seems that even with the Cargo planes multiplying the civil aircraft didn't for reasons of Covid etc and the spiralling costs of using DSA for those Airlines. (That's a whole other question, in that did Peel hike the rates to make it less lucrative)
Whatever, Wizz stopped using it as a Base , wrongly reported (deliberately ? who knows) that they had stopped flying from DSA , maybe putting the boot in again ?

So I would say ( no s**t Sherlock) it is not viable at the moment and if taken over would NEED to attract loads and loads more traffic. Cargo should be no problem but the flights for thee and me would need to be expanded way beyond what they were at their "peak" to multi destinations and without huge price differential to encourage us to "stay more local"

Would that work ? Again I don't know and again all that agony I have written above may be academic

[tommy toes]

Wolfie
Wizz Air pulled out in June because DSA wouldn't commit to continuing with their commercial agreement. Probably because they were announcing its closure a few weeks later.

[Donnywolf]

Yes , that's why if you gave me a Million quid (from your Celtic Gold winnings) and said bet it all on

Closing  or   Staying open I would say CLOSE

[DonnyBazR0ver]

There has been some inaccurate, verging on false reporting, particularly by the BBC, which seems to push Peels narrative of the airport being unviable and trying to paint SYMCA as incompetent. Peel have leaked information to the BBC deliberately  to protect their business integrity.

The press haven't laid a glove on Peels motives and the 'influence' they have on planning and property decisions across the UK. 

[Dagenham Rover]

According to Peel there is no credible offer on the table Filo. During all this saga it's never been clear who has been telling the truth. Might be nice if whoever has come forward with this alleged offer stepped out of the shadows and forced the hand of either of the parties involved. You do get a feeling that it's all too little too late

Peel have admitted there is a credible offer and the statement was due to a cock up due to emails apparently talks are ongoing

[Donnywolf]

I'm sorry to say I can't believe Peel would release any word whether official release or even a throwaway remark and get "seemingly confused" to this extent

[phil old leake]

Pies why would you need a taxi. Anyone can park at the parrot corner park and ride for free with no limit and get a 5 minute bus to the terminal.
I can remember talking to one of the attendants who told me that he thought there were buses as cheap as chips to the airport from Barnsley and throughout the region.   The last bit I can’t confirm.  I can say I used it every week for about 18 months.  I never used any flight that was empty and as a general rule the place was great. 

[i_ateallthepies]

Phil, until it was mentioned on here I wasn't aware of the park n ride option.  All seems somewhat academic now anyway but continue to hope for a miracle.  Cheers.

[Sprotyrover]

Pies why would you need a taxi. Anyone can park at the parrot corner park and ride for free with no limit and get a 5 minute bus to the terminal.
I can remember talking to one of the attendants who told me that he thought there were buses as cheap as chips to the airport from Barnsley and throughout the region.   The last bit I can’t confirm.  I can say I used it every week for about 18 months.  I never used any flight that was empty and as a general rule the place was great. 

Sure there is a service from Sheffield Pond street to the Airport

[BillyStubbsTears]

Pies why would you need a taxi. Anyone can park at the parrot corner park and ride for free with no limit and get a 5 minute bus to the terminal.
I can remember talking to one of the attendants who told me that he thought there were buses as cheap as chips to the airport from Barnsley and throughout the region.   The last bit I can’t confirm.  I can say I used it every week for about 18 months.  I never used any flight that was empty and as a general rule the place was great. 

Sure there is a service from Sheffield Pond street to the Airport

There is. Or was anyway. About 30 mins journey time.

[Filo]

Emirates Airline are rumoured to be the potential buyer, they want a European base