Doncaster Sheffield Airport opened to airline passengers in 2005 and has focused on holiday, low-cost, and regional services. In the past 17 years, it grew to a maximum of 1.4 million passengers. Now it's likely to close, probably by the end of October, unless a new owner is found. Its location – close to many larger airports – hasn't helped its situation. Ironically, its location will help its probable future: as a logistics and warehouse facility.

Is Doncaster Sheffield to close?

Since opening to airlines, Doncaster Sheffield has reportedly lost £170 million and anticipates a further £45 million loss in the next five years. The closure of Wizz Air UK's base at the airport soon after it opened hasn't helped.

Nor has a significant terminal development to attract new airlines and improve the passenger experience. Now it primarily benefits TUI, the only remaining based airline typically with four aircraft, and Wizz Air, which serves the airport using non-based aircraft.

Following a review, the board of the airport determined that it "may no longer be commercially viable" and the owner, the Peel Group, is undertaking an external, six-week consultation.

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Multiple airports are close

Some 1.8 million people live within a 45-minute drive of Doncaster Sheffield, which is its core catchment. It rises to six million within a 60-minute drive, but that's shared with larger East Midlands and Leeds Bradford. Extended a bit more, it doubles to 12 million, but Manchester and Birmingham then feature. Such is the number of commercial airports within the UK and the degree of competition.

While passengers are just one part of Doncaster Sheffield's business, it has struggled with consistent airline growth and driving and achieving sustainable numbers.

According to UK CAA data, its best year was 2019, when it had 1.4 million passengers. No wonder the airport cites "a lack of critical mass" as one reason for its predicament. That year, it was the country's 21st-busiest airport, behind Cardiff but ahead of Exeter. But it was responsible for only 0.5% of UK passengers.

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Will the successor succumb?

Peel Group will probably sell the airport. If there's no buyer or other owner, it'll shut. If that happens, Doncaster Sheffield will join a list of other UK airports that have closed over the past two decades or so or – if they still exist – no longer have airlines. They include Blackpool, Coventry, Manston, Plymouth, Sheffield City, and Swansea.

The closure of Sheffield City is important as it gave rise to RAF Finningley – now Doncaster Sheffield – becoming a commercial airport. It has nearly gone full circle.

14.9 million passengers in all

Between 2005 and 2021, Doncaster Sheffield welcomed 14.9 million passengers. However, the figure below shows how its passenger traffic in 2019 (1.4 million) was only 400,000 more than in 2007. This highlights the difficulty facing the airport. In its existence, it revolved around seven airlines, as detailed below in order of total flights:

1. TUI (previously Thomson/Thomsonfly): served 2005 to present; 51 routes over the years, including long-haul
2. Wizz Air Group: 2005 to present; 32 routes
3. Flybe: 2006-2019; 13 routes
4. Ryanair: 2005-2013; 6 routes
5. easyJet: 2005-2006, 2010-2011; 6 routes
6. Links Air: 2014-2015; 3 routes
7. Aer Lingus: 2010, 2015-2016; 1 route

Alicante: number one

Since opening, Alicante has been Doncaster Sheffield's top route, followed by Dublin, Katowice, Malaga, Gdańsk, Palma, Belfast City, Jersey, Amsterdam, and Poznan.

Following the exit of Flybe, Dublin, Belfast, and Amsterdam remain unserved, an unusual situation for a UK airport. But they're all available from nearby airports, underlining the challenge.

I've flown from Doncaster Sheffield and enjoyed it. What do you think will become of the airport? Let us know in the comments.