DONCASTER/SHEFFIELD
How long is it going to continue losing money?
I found a blog from a couple of months ago...
There have also been rumours surrounding a pull out by TOM and their intention to go back into LBA! Though these have been quashed by the airline and the airport, does their contract not run out at the end of this year?
I found a blog from a couple of months ago...
Bosses at Robin Hood airport have announced that under a new proposal to streamline airport operations, around nine top-level jobs may become untenable. Peel Airports, the owner of the struggling airport, wants to improve staff development opportunities whilst maintaining a steadfast approach to escalating financial woes.
The past year has not been kind to Robin Hood airport. The collapse of world markets has exacerbated an already-critical financial situation and, despite the release of a number of documents detailing prospective rescue plans, the airport continues to struggle on the brink of insolvency, unable to secure any kind of financial support from Doncaster council.
A recent survey revealed that Robin Hood airport is very popular with customers travelling for leisure reasons. The company is expected to remain in the red until 2010 but the new ski season should provide the airport with a substantial capital boost.
The recent threat of redundancy may hint at an increasingly severe financial situation. It is interesting to note that only two days after Peel Airports promised to create 17,000 new jobs over the next twenty years, the company threatened to axe a significant proportion of their operational staff.
Mike Morton, a spokesperson for Robin Hood, blamed the recent ‘credit crunch’ for the airport’s woes: “These are some of the most difficult trading conditions the aviation industry has experienced in decades.”
Robin Hood airport has been the subject of several damning newspaper reports and it seems increasingly likely that the owners are using the credit crunch as a scapegoat to avoid admitting the extent of the airport’s debts to the media.
The past year has not been kind to Robin Hood airport. The collapse of world markets has exacerbated an already-critical financial situation and, despite the release of a number of documents detailing prospective rescue plans, the airport continues to struggle on the brink of insolvency, unable to secure any kind of financial support from Doncaster council.
A recent survey revealed that Robin Hood airport is very popular with customers travelling for leisure reasons. The company is expected to remain in the red until 2010 but the new ski season should provide the airport with a substantial capital boost.
The recent threat of redundancy may hint at an increasingly severe financial situation. It is interesting to note that only two days after Peel Airports promised to create 17,000 new jobs over the next twenty years, the company threatened to axe a significant proportion of their operational staff.
Mike Morton, a spokesperson for Robin Hood, blamed the recent ‘credit crunch’ for the airport’s woes: “These are some of the most difficult trading conditions the aviation industry has experienced in decades.”
Robin Hood airport has been the subject of several damning newspaper reports and it seems increasingly likely that the owners are using the credit crunch as a scapegoat to avoid admitting the extent of the airport’s debts to the media.
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I wouldn't worry about TOM pulling out and going to LBA. Firstly they always seem to divert whenever there is bad weather at LBA, they seem to have higher limits than any other airline. I cant remember TOM ever doing a CAT3 into LBA, though I may be wrong here. Secondly would they really go in direct competition with the likes of Jet2 and Ryanair who are starting to do more than just DUB ex LBA these days. Thirdly how many ac are based at DSA and how many spare overnight stands are there at LBA?
IT WON'T HAPPEN!
IT WON'T HAPPEN!
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Yes, but bear this in mind:
TOM have a number of aircraft based at DSA and currently none at LBA.
TCX have the only based 'charter' aircraft at LBA and, if current additions to the operation ex-LBA for Summer 2009 mean anything, one might conclude that they're not doing too badly up there.
As such, I'd assume that, although TOM might not pull DSA entirely, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see at least one of the Donny aircraft heading north for 2010.
TOM have a number of aircraft based at DSA and currently none at LBA.
TCX have the only based 'charter' aircraft at LBA and, if current additions to the operation ex-LBA for Summer 2009 mean anything, one might conclude that they're not doing too badly up there.
As such, I'd assume that, although TOM might not pull DSA entirely, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see at least one of the Donny aircraft heading north for 2010.
They are already reshuffling their timings for even the popular routes such as TFS, for less attractive timings and frequency. I suspect things could go down to one based machine with others on W patterns.
How long before Wizz have had enough? FR are already scaling back their Polish operations.
Wheres the money going to come from to keep the place running? I know Peel are wealthy but surely it would be completely unviable to continue supporting increasing losses with more and more staff redundancies?
How long before Wizz have had enough? FR are already scaling back their Polish operations.
Wheres the money going to come from to keep the place running? I know Peel are wealthy but surely it would be completely unviable to continue supporting increasing losses with more and more staff redundancies?
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TCX have the only based 'charter' aircraft at LBA and, if current additions to the operation ex-LBA for Summer 2009 mean anything, one might conclude that they're not doing too badly up there.
At DSA, TCX will operate 48 flights during S09 (W patterns), versus zero flights in S08!
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The only extra TCX flight at LBA is a stop in the GLA-REU flight on Mondays in August and September. Monastir has been added but is a direct replacement for Malaga
The TCX flights into DSA this year aren't new, but taken over from other carriers. Though the B757 on Monastir is a capacity increase
The TCX flights into DSA this year aren't new, but taken over from other carriers. Though the B757 on Monastir is a capacity increase
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This should stop the constant sniping from the anti-DSA brigade about TOM.
AIRPORT bosses have quashed rumours a major operator is to pull out of Robin Hood Airport and insist they have expansion plans.
Rumours that jobs would be in jeopardy if Thomson was to pull out of the Finningley airport have been refuted by Robin Hood chiefs.
They said today Thomson - part of the TUI group - has a long term commitment to the airport and is to increase the number of people flying from Doncaster.
Robin Tudor, spokesman for owner Peel Airports, insisted Thomson would continue to fly from Robin Hood for approximately 10 years. He said: "Doncaster Sheffield Airport continues to work closely with TUI and is delighted that the operator will in fact be increasing its capacity through the airport for summer 2009 by utilising larger aircraft on many of their routes."
Thomson currently flies to 21 destinations from Robin Hood Airport, including Spain, Greece and Turkey.
The company also denied the rumours but stated flight services were continually up for review. A spokesman said: "Doncaster airport continues to be an important departure airport for Thomson and we are currently offering flights to a number of destinations up to the end of April 2010.
"Beyond this, Thomson has every intention to feature Doncaster airport in future flight schedules when they go on sale next year."
Thomson will be introducing new flights in 2009 to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt in the midst of plans to expand the airport.
Rumours that jobs would be in jeopardy if Thomson was to pull out of the Finningley airport have been refuted by Robin Hood chiefs.
They said today Thomson - part of the TUI group - has a long term commitment to the airport and is to increase the number of people flying from Doncaster.
Robin Tudor, spokesman for owner Peel Airports, insisted Thomson would continue to fly from Robin Hood for approximately 10 years. He said: "Doncaster Sheffield Airport continues to work closely with TUI and is delighted that the operator will in fact be increasing its capacity through the airport for summer 2009 by utilising larger aircraft on many of their routes."
Thomson currently flies to 21 destinations from Robin Hood Airport, including Spain, Greece and Turkey.
The company also denied the rumours but stated flight services were continually up for review. A spokesman said: "Doncaster airport continues to be an important departure airport for Thomson and we are currently offering flights to a number of destinations up to the end of April 2010.
"Beyond this, Thomson has every intention to feature Doncaster airport in future flight schedules when they go on sale next year."
Thomson will be introducing new flights in 2009 to Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt in the midst of plans to expand the airport.
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Peel Airports have recently concluded a new deal with Wizz Air which will keep the airline at both Doncaster Sheffield and Liverpool for the forseeable future. The company did what they called a "Peel Deal"
I believe my origional question was a perfectly legitimate one. It has already been realised that the airport was not needed after all and the closure of SZD needs looking into. Without dwelling on the past though, what are they going to do to keep going? OK so Wizz are staying for the 'forseable future' and well done to them for claiming the Polish market in Yorkshire.
What about diversity of business routes? BHD not doing well and is subsidised by a Yorkshire development agency... FR have cut flights to DUB and TOM have downscaled, recession acknowledged, this will cause a mass decline in pax figures. Not so good for an operator (Peel) which seems to rely on big numbers for alternative revenue...
What about diversity of business routes? BHD not doing well and is subsidised by a Yorkshire development agency... FR have cut flights to DUB and TOM have downscaled, recession acknowledged, this will cause a mass decline in pax figures. Not so good for an operator (Peel) which seems to rely on big numbers for alternative revenue...
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If they want to secure more punters from Sheffield they need to arrange some public transport. It's quicker and more convenient to reach either MAN or EMA, probably LBA too, from Sheffield than taking the slow train and bus combo via Doncaster. That is mainly what keeps me from using DSA frequently. The feeling that Peel stole Sheffield City from us council tax payers also has a part to play however.
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The feeling that Peel stole Sheffield City from us council tax payers also has a part to play however.
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Be realistic!
In reply to the last few posts, Derek and Simone in Nether Edge, Sheffield, with their three kids, considering their summer holiday may be saying:
D: ' I was thinking about us flying from Donny Airport this year but I heard they had summat to do with Sheff airport closing'
S: 'But we never used Sheff airport anyway, and what's it matter? Do they fly anywhere we want to, and how much?'
...and later
D. 'Well we could have a week on the Costa Brava in Lloret - Ryanair's very cheap to Girona from Donny at the minute. On the other hand I'm very seriously worried by the poor public transport links to the airport.'
S: 'We live three miles from the city centre anyway you daft lummox. Do you think it'd be any easier getting to Manchester or East Midlands? And do you really expect us to drag Louise, Shannon and Jack about on a train with four cases as well. Give the taxi firm a ring and I bet it'll be cheaper to go to Donny than anywhere else by miles! Or I'll get our uncle Sam to take us and give him twenty quid for the petrol'
D: ' I was thinking about us flying from Donny Airport this year but I heard they had summat to do with Sheff airport closing'
S: 'But we never used Sheff airport anyway, and what's it matter? Do they fly anywhere we want to, and how much?'
...and later
D. 'Well we could have a week on the Costa Brava in Lloret - Ryanair's very cheap to Girona from Donny at the minute. On the other hand I'm very seriously worried by the poor public transport links to the airport.'
S: 'We live three miles from the city centre anyway you daft lummox. Do you think it'd be any easier getting to Manchester or East Midlands? And do you really expect us to drag Louise, Shannon and Jack about on a train with four cases as well. Give the taxi firm a ring and I bet it'll be cheaper to go to Donny than anywhere else by miles! Or I'll get our uncle Sam to take us and give him twenty quid for the petrol'
And of course, now, since 6th Feb there is CAT III ILS on rwy 20 and CAT I on 02 it might make a few more companies interested
I dont see that it makes too much of a difference in attracting airlines, perhaps more diversion contracts though...
So as an operator you wouldn't be attracted by 24hr Cat III/Cat I landing capability?
I'm sure Thom Wizz Ryan etc are gutted that now they can make approaches in conditions that previously would have meant a diversion away from the airfield ...
