Local airports are not only crucial to air connectivity for the region they serve. They are also important employers and contributors to the economy. When one announces it is closing (a rare occurrence, but it does happen), there is a negative spillover effect on the greater community. As such, an internet campaign has begun to save Doncaster-Sheffield Airport (DSA) in the UK, following the announcement that it could be closing its doors, gates, and runways in October this year.The petition to save the airport, which is currently underway at Change.org, had, at the time of writing, collected 96,242 signatures. In mid-July, the owner of the airport, Peel Group, announced it would launch a six-week consultation period mid-July, to see if operations would still be viable following the closure of low-cost carrier Wizz's base one month prior. According to The Star, the Peel Group says its decision will depend on the results of the consultations, which are due in a week.

Petitioner blames high fees at airport

Some 800 jobs are at risk if the airport shuts down at the end of the summer season. Wizz Air still operates flights from the airport, as does TUI, GetJet Airlines, SmartLynx, and several charter leisure carriers. The airport is also host to cargo operations, which are reportedly doing better than the passenger side of the business. One potential avenue is that it could transition to freight-only services.

One of the signees of the petition said,

"I do not wish the Doncaster airport to close or move to solely cargo. Disgraceful Peel holdings have had all the grants available, caused chaos in the area with road and partial rail infrastructure works. Why shouldn’t we in this area have a viable airport, we know the answer as to why more airlines do not fly from here - the extortionate landing fees."

Wizz "sacrificing" its base a significant blow

Doncaster-Sheffield Airport, formerly Robin Hood Airport, is one of two international commercial airports in Yorkshire. In 2019, DSA handled 1.4 million passengers. The other, Leeds Bradford, handled just under 4 million. Peel says it has invested £250 million ($295 million) in the site. However, the airport has never reached the critical mass of traffic needed to be profitable and has, unsurprisingly, struggled even more as a result of the pandemic.

Speaking to The Worksop Guardian last month, Robert Hough, Chairman of Peels Airport Group, stated,

“It is a critical time for aviation globally. Despite pandemic-related travel restrictions slowly drawing to a close, we are still facing ongoing obstacles and dynamic long-term threats to the future of the aviation industry. The actions by Wizz to sacrifice its base at Doncaster to shore up its business opportunities at other bases in the South of England are a significant blow for the airport."

Do you know anyone who will be affected by the potential closure of Doncaster-Sheffield? Leave a comment below and share their story.

Source: The Star, The Worksop Guardian