Airport operators 'confident' it will be viable

The new operators of Doncaster Sheffield Airport have said they are "confident" it will be financially viable if it reopens - but added that it was "too early" to announce airlines or destinations.

German firm Munich Airport International (MAI) will provide operational and management services to FlyDoncaster, a company set up by Doncaster Council to run the airport.

The council said securing MAI was a significant milestone in its plans to reopen the site by spring 2026.

Dr Lutz Weisser, managing director for MAI, said there were still long and confidential discussions ahead with airlines but that Doncaster was an ideal location.

He said: "The UK is a very important aviation market and we are interested in Doncaster because it is all there.

"This is not a greenfield project, this is not something that needs to be built. You don't have the risks of planning approval or construction and all these other things.

"It may need some renovation, and recertification is important, but it is all in place. It just needs a bit of polishing and then you have an airport and that is exciting."

The airport closed in November 2022 after landowners Peel Group cited a lack of profitability and disappointing passenger numbers. They are willing to lease the site to the council.

Mr Weisser said MAI had high standards and customer satisfaction and that passenger experience was important.

"We can really shine and make the customer journey very pleasing, it doesn't have to be cramped or people queuing forever.

"You can actually make money as well. Revenue comes from stable operations and making the airlines feel at home.

"We don't mind smaller airports. Everybody says you can't make money with low-cost airlines but there is a basic misunderstanding on how you treat your business community.

"You might not make a lot of money from the airlines, but you can still have a very satisfied passenger that brings some business to the airport.

"It's a lot easier to make money from 40 million passengers but even as a start-up airport, which this will be for a while, there is a viable option to turn a profit."

Mr Weisser said "major players" in the airline industry had shown interest but there were still "tough discussions" ahead.

"Whenever you have to mothball an airport like this and you try to reopen it, you have to be within the market and there's competition.

"We're fully aware of that, but some of the airlines will show a grain of trust now that we are bringing some of our operational expertise into the fold.

"This will be a long journey, for sure but there's nothing more exciting than aviation industry. Everybody loves to fly."

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