There is a lot of hype and hysteria about how DSA will affect the region as a whole. Is the new DSA airport going to pull passengers away from HUY, LBA, NEMA and MAN? Well probably at first, but the future of all the airports are based on market forces, or in a nut shell where the passengers want to fly from. I have spoken about this in great lengh on the LBA thread. You need to take a look at the population densities around each airport and add variables then you can start to determine what the probable outcome will be.
How many people live within a 20 minute drive?
This figure will affect its scheduled traffic, a businessman doesn't want a 45 minute drive at 5 in the morning to catch a flight to London or Glasgow. LBA is probably better placed at sustaining growth is this area than say NEMA because of is locality to the cities of Leeds and Bradord. I would expect that long term DSA will have similar scheduled services to NEMA because of its proximity to Sheffield. HUY can probably expect to attract additional domestic services within the lo cost sector with its proximity to Hull.
Is there a proven passenger service?
HUY, LBA, NEMA and MAN all have proved that scheduled services can be operated. LBA and NEMA are better placed to attract additional scheduled services than HUY or DSA. HUY can probably continue to attract a strong charter presance because people want to fly from their local airport. DSA is likely to attract additional lo cost services but because none of the routes that are to be served have been tried before, some may well fail. Thomsonfly will already be aware of where the people of South Yorkshire choose to fly to, through passenger bookings from the region who currently fly from other airports will its sister company.
So Thomsonfly will already be well placed to serve the DSA catchment area.
What are the factors of choosing your departure airport?
A large amount of people don't really care where they fly from as long as its cheap. Sizable amounts of people travel from Scotland to travel from NCL because its cheaper. Large amounts of people in Yorkshire travel to Manchester because they don't have an option from any Yorkshire departure point. Some people only want to fly from their local airport whatever the cost.
Summary
I know there are many more aspects that can be included as a variable but these have just been a small sample. When Humberside extended its runway, LBA thought it was doomed. When LBA gained its 24 hour status, this alone played a large part in LBA increasing its charter operation from around 15-20 flights per week to around 45 per week now. The MAG is in an equable position to fight a future for its HUY operation in respect of its new competition from DSA. MAG may well decide to change their business plan for the expansion of HUY. What we can be sure of, is that the people from the east side of the Pennines are about to get a real choice. When all the fuss about DSA blows over, each airport will begin to find is own ground.
There is a future for all the airports in this region.
Yorkshire
the place to be is the city of Leeds.