Thomas Cook Airlines has made it even more convenient for holidaymakers in Yorkshire to jet away next summer by offering more choice on flights from Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

Those looking for sun, sea and sand will be able to fly to Antalya in Turkey every Sunday from 1st May to 30th October 2011.

Antalya is one of the largest cities on the Mediterranean Coast and offers modern shops, restaurants and nightlife. For those who want to explore, the Turkish countryside nearby offers stunning waterfalls and dramatic scenery.

Nick Smillie, Aviation Sales Director at Doncaster Sheffield Airport, said: “We are thrilled Thomas Cook Airlines has decided to increase the number of flights from Doncaster Sheffield for next summer, especially to such a wonderful destination as Antalya – and one which has proved very popular with our passengers.
“This is more great news for the airport and our passengers who can now choose from a wider range of destinations to fly with Thomas Cook.”

Ian Derbyshire, Chief Executive Officer of Thomas Cook UK & Ireland, said: “Turkey is a fantastic option for families, couples and groups looking for great beaches, food and sightseeing. We’re committed to our flying programme from the region, so with these extra options, we’re really pleased to be able to offer even more choice to travellers from Doncaster Sheffield Airport.”

Next summer, as well as Antalya, Thomas Cook will fly to Ibiza, Majorca, Tunisia and Dalaman from Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

About Thomas Cook UK & Ireland:

Thomas Cook UK & Ireland is the second largest leisure travel group in the UK with around 19,000 employees. The company has a network of more than 800 high street stores (Thomas Cook and Going Places), leading websites (www.thomascook.com , www.directholidays.com  and www.airtours.uk ), and some of the world's favourite travel brands.

These brands include Airtours, Club 18-30, Cresta, Cruise Thomas Cook, Direct Holidays, Elegant Resorts, Flexibletrips, flythomascook.com, Gold Medal, www.hotels4u.com , Manos, www.medhotels.com , Neilson, netflights.com, Panorama, Pure Luxury, Style Holidays, Sunset, Sunworld Holidays, Swiss Travel Service, Thomas Cook, Thomas Cook Signature and Thomas Cook Sport.

Thomas Cook Airlines operates a fleet of 44 aircraft from 19 regional airports to destinations worldwide.

Thomas Cook offers a range of financial services including foreign exchange, the Thomas Cook Credit Card, the Thomas Cook Cash Passport (the new generation of travellers' cheques), and a wide range of travel insurance policies. It is FSA regulated for its travel insurance, which is underwritten by White Horse Insurance Ireland Ltd.

Thomas Cook also has a leading publishing division offering a comprehensive portfolio of over 300 independently authored travel guidebooks to more than 150 destinations across the world.

Thomas Cook is an Official Supporter of the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games and the exclusive partner for UK short breaks and trips to the Games. Thomas Cook's London 2012 packages will go on sale in 2011 and will include accommodation, transport and event tickets.

Thomas Cook UK & Ireland is part of Thomas Cook Group plc (www.thomascookgroup.com ).

Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield has fought off fierce competition to be nominated for one of the travel industry’s most prestigious awards.

The UK’s newest purpose built airport, Doncaster Sheffield has been shortlisted for the prominent Airport of the Year prize in the TTG Travel Awards, run by the industry’s leading trade newspaper, Travel Trade Gazette.
The airport will be up against Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff, East Midlands and Manchester for the title Airport of the Year.

Jodi Stow, Marketing and Communications Manager at Doncaster Sheffield Airport said: “The TTG Travel Awards are held in the highest regard and acknowledged as a universal benchmark of quality within the travel industry.
“We are tremendously proud to have been shortlisted and it is testament to all the hard work of everyone associated with Doncaster Sheffield Airport.”
The nomination is the latest success for the airport, which saw the second consecutive month of rising passenger figures last month, with bosses announcing a 16 percent year-on-year increase.

This is further good news for Peel Airports’ with Liverpool John Lennon Airport, also part of the Peel portfolio winning the prestigious title in 2007.
Judges for the awards include experts from leading travel companies and trade bodies such as Thomas Cook, Sandals and the Institute of Travel and Tourism, as well as leading figures from commerce and retail.

Daniel Pearce, editor of TTG, said: “Faced with ash cloud, airline strikes and global recession, the UK’s best travel companies have really proven their worth, and we’ve been overwhelmed by the strength of this year’s entries.

“Our unique combination of voting by travel agents and judging by industry experts makes a TTG Award the real hallmark of excellence within travel. We congratulate all those who’ve made it onto our hotly-contested shortlist.”

This year’s winners will be announced at a spectacular ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel on September 23.

FODSA Gives Assistance at 7 Lakes Rescue Day. see 'FODSA News'

An evening with Mr Mike Morton. see 'FODSA News'

Ken's Monthly Notes out now. Landmarks and Records, plus Passenger Figures direct from the CAA. see 'Stats and Stuff'

June saw the second consecutive month of rising passenger figures at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
Bosses announced a 16 percent year-on-year increase in passenger numbers last month, with the figures showing over 109,130 people used the airport during June 2010.

The most popular 5 destinations for holidaymakers flying from Doncaster Sheffield last month include - Palma (Majorca), Alicante (Spain), Dalaman (Turkey), Faro (Portugal) and Katowice (Poland).
Mike Morton, Airport Director said: “This is fantastic news. We are really beginning to see the impact our new routes are having on the number of passengers using Doncaster Sheffield Airport for their travel needs.

“Holidaymakers from across Yorkshire and the Humber, North Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire are realising how much easier it is to fly from their local airport and are looking to use us when planning their trips.
“We are now looking ahead to our winter routes for 2010/11 and should be announcing these in the coming months. Thomson Airways recently announced extra capacity for Summer 2011 which is thanks to strong forward sales so we look forward to seeing more and more passengers starting their journey from Doncaster.

“This is great news and it is very pleasing to see that our figures are rising.”

FODSA lend a helping hand. see 'FODSA News'

Friday June 4th an Irish Night was held at Doncaster Racecourse in which FODSA members were asked to assist. During the evenings racecard Aer Lingus had kindly sponsored one of the races.
Andrew Bosmans and Keith Stones from FODSA accompanied Jodi Stow, Marketing and Communications Manager for Robin Hood Airport, to distribute literature promoting the airport and Aer Lingus to race goers and also handing out free prize draw tickets.
Not knowing to him, during the evening FODSA member Andrew Bosmans had handed out the winning ticket to a lucky lady from Armthorpe who romped past the winning post to win a prize that will see her soaring to new heights.
                                                                        

                                                            Airport Director Mike Morton with lucky winners Gemma Vickers and Katie Sewell at Doncaster Racecourse's Irish Night.

Gemma Vickers, aged 26, went along to the special night which paid tribute to the Emerald Isle and won a prize courtesy of Robin Hood Airport and Aer Lingus, who joined forces to offer racing fans at the Doncaster course the opportunity to win return flights to Dublin along with tickets to a race meeting at nearby Fairyhouse Racecourse.
Jodi Stow, Marketing and Communications Manager for Robin Hood Airport said: “We were delighted to present Gemma with this special prize and are sure she will have a fantastic time at the races in Dublin.”
The horse racing communities within both Doncaster and Southern Ireland provide a great market opportunity for Robin Hood Airport to promote the new Aer Lingus’ flights to and from Dublin.
Gina Kelly, Media and Communications Manager of Aer Arann, who operate the service under the Aer Lingus Regional franchise agreement said “We look forward to welcoming Gemma and her guest on the Aer Lingus flight from Doncaster to Dublin.”
With full racing calendars at both courses for 2010, Dublin is the perfect destination for Yorkshires’ horse racing fans to visit, with renowned courses such as Fairyhouse, Punchestown and The Curragh only a short distance away, the flights also offer the chance for Irish racing fans to visit the famous Town Moor course at Doncaster” she added.
Daily flights to Dublin, with onward transatlantic connections to New York and Boston are available now with Aer Lingus from Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Prices start from £29.99 one way including taxes.

Travellers flying from Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield with Aer Lingus can expect a top ranking service following a recent survey.
The Irish airline has been rated second out of 18 European short haul airlines in a recent customer airline satisfaction survey by consumer watchdog website, Which.co.uk.

The report states that flying with good quality airlines such as Aer Lingus, can really make a difference to your holiday or short break.
Aer Lingus was awarded an overall customer satisfaction score of 71%, just one percentage point away from topping the poll.

‘Which’ surveyed 5,745 customers on their satisfaction levels with all the main European carriers, including British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM and Swiss, amongst others.
Jodi Stow, Marketing and Communications Manager for Robin Hood Airport said: “We are delighted that one of our airlines ranked so highly in the survey for service.
“Customers who have had a good experience are more likely to use an airline again and good service is always remembered.”

Customers were asked questions in a number of categories such as value for money, cabin staff, baggage allowance, cleanliness, and dealing with delays – with Aer Lingus receiving top marks.
Aer Lingus operates flights from Doncaster Sheffield Airport seven days a week to Dublin with onward transatlantic connections available to New York and Boston. Flights to Dublin start from £29.99 one way including taxes.

For further information on flights or to make a booking visit www.aerlingus.com To view the full survey article log onto www.which.co.uk/airlinesurvey  

South Yorkshire music lovers will be heading to Spain for the popular Benicassim Festival from their local airport this July.
Thanks to new low-cost flights with easyJet from Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield to Barcelona, travellers will be able to see the likes of The Prodigy, Kasabian and the Gorillaz perform at the event which is based between Valencia and Barcelona.
Jodi Stow, Marketing and Communications Manager for Doncaster Sheffield Airport said: “Festival season is certainly here and while many have flocked to Glastonbury and the Isle of Wight to hear their music favourites perform the European music festivals always attract big names and a strong following.
“Now that we have easyJet flights to Barcelona on offer we expect to see a number of music fans heading out for the festival which takes place between July 15 and 18.”
Benicassim has something to offer across the whole musical spectrum, as indie and rock bands rub shoulders with DJs and more experimental music projects, Dizzee Rascal, Ian Brown and the Specials are also on the bill for the event.
Established in 1994 and now in its 16th year, the International Benicassim Festival, FIB is sited just walking distance from the beach and a huge water park.
As well as this diverse array of musical performers, the festival has an extensive bill of non-musical entertainment, including dance, art, theatre, fashion, silent disco and short films.
easyJet flies four times a week to Barcelona airport from Doncaster Sheffield Airport with flights starting from £24.99 (one way including taxes)

Interesting Movements for June out now. Read about the aircraft flying in, out and around the airport during June, includes CS-TQI 767-300, Flybe Dash 8D special livery, Aero Nova SA-227 Metro, Learjet Air Medical. On the Military side, Britten Norman Islander, Tornado-F3, Bell 412 Griffen, plus much much more. see 'Stats and Stuff' Interesting Movements by Clive Featherstone.

Vancouver Airport Services announced today (22nd June) that it has reached agreement with The Peel Group to acquire a 65 per cent share in Peel Airports Limited which includes key airport assets of Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield, Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Durham Tees Valley Airport.

The Peel Group will retain a 35 per cent investment in Peel Airports Limited and a presence on the board and looks forward to the opportunities the strategic partnership with Vancouver Airport Services will generate

George Casey, President and CEO of Vancouver Airport Services said, “Vancouver Airport Services has a strong track record of investing in and providing value-added management services for airports around the world.

“We look forward to working with The Peel Group and the stakeholders involved in these airports.”

Peel Group Chairman John Whittaker added, “We are delighted to move forward and partner with Vancouver Airport Services. Its network of international airports and expertise as a leading airport specialist will further increase the success of these growing regional airport businesses.

“The retention of a significant investment in the joint venture, together with our associated airport-related property, is firmly in line with our strategy of creating long term partnerships to unlock value from the synergy between our diverse infrastructure, transport and real estate assets.”

Craig Richmond, newly appointed CEO of Peel Airports Limited, further added "This investment will result in further success for the airport and the communities and region it serves. An impressive foundation has already been established and together we can now move forward. I am excited to join this community and to work with everyone involved to create long-term value for the airport, Yorkshire and the surrounding regions."

About Vancouver Airport Services

Vancouver Airport Services is a leading global airport investment, management and development company. It is jointly owned by Vancouver Airport Authority and Citi Infrastructure Investors. With this investment, Vancouver Airport Services operates and/or invests in a global portfolio of 19 airports. In 2009 its network of airports reported revenues of more than CDN$530 million and combined passenger traffic totalling more than 28.5 million.

See www.yvras.com  for more details.

Three new companies add to the ongoing success of Robin Hood Airport Business Park.
Communications agency Pepper Tree now has offices at Meteor House and HR specialist Chrysos, who have recently been accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development to deliver new qualifications, have moved into Armstrong House, while aviation recruitment specialist ACT Aerospace moves into offices in hangar 3.

ACT Aerospace, who already have offices in Malaga, has the capabilities to provide permanent, temporary and contract professional engineers throughout the whole aviation sector.

More than 15,000 extra passengers will be able to take off from Doncaster Sheffield Airport in summer 2011 thanks to a boost in capacity following strong sales.
Thomson Airways, the airline for Thomson and First Choice holidays, has announced that they will be putting extra seats on sale with the main growth routes heading to Dalaman, Bodrum, Tunisia, Lanzarote, Malaga and Mahon.

                                                                      

                                               Airport Director, Mike Morton with Thomson Airways Cabin Crew Katie Windsor, Deborah Sweeney, Clive Vessey and Joanne Renn

Mike Morton, Airport Director from Doncaster Sheffield Airport, said: “We are delighted by the news that Thomson Airways are set to grow capacity by 9% year on year.
“The growth is a result of strong summer 2010 forward sales and will see Thomson Airways operating two 737-800’s and one 737-300 for summer 2011.
“We have been working to raise awareness of the routes we serve and are happy with this predicted growth looking forward.”
The news comes just a few weeks after that the airport celebrated its fifth birthday with business and tourism leaders from across the region .

KINCH Aviation Services – Cessna/Citation Service Centre – Official Opening.

Photographs by FODSA member Clive Featherstone.

KINCH Aviation Services who service and repair corporate jets had their Official Opening Day on a glorious afternoon 1st May 2010.

      

                                 Kinch Aviation Services main entrance and reception.                                                              RAF Air Training Corps on parade with Citation Mustang in back ground.

Kinch Aviation, run by Paul and Deborah Kinch, has relocated to Hangar 2 at Doncaster Sheffield Airport from Gamston Airport, in Nottinghamshire.

Paul Kinch, explains: “As the market for new private jets has declined the market for maintenance, service, and repair of these aircraft has seen a dramatic increase and as a result of this we needed to find a new base for our business to grow into.

      

                                                                   Citation Mustang Cockpit.                                                                                                                                                      Caroline Flint MP,  with guests.

“The recent decision to relocate to Doncaster Sheffield Airport was an easy one for the company to make, as the airport has all the necessary infrastructure a busy jet centre needs to operate effectively.

“Our new home in Hangar 2, offers the operating hours to suit our multinational customers and a very helpful team at Doncaster Sheffield Airport and Directions Finningley all contributed to the move.”
Kinch Aviation was appointed as a Cessna Citation Authorised Service Centre in 2008 once they had completed a large investment in training, spares and tooling.

   

                   Mr and Mrs Mike Morton - Airport Director - with FODSA members.                                                                                                                 Lunch is served.

The company was started in 2001 to provide high quality support of Business Aircraft in the North of England and today provides services for over 50 aircraft from across Europe and as far afield as Moscow and South Africa.
Mike Morton, Airport Director said: “We are delighted to welcome Kinch Aviation to our growing network of businesses that have relocated to the airport business park.

“The fact that we are attracting such a high quality of businesses to Doncaster is great for the town and will no doubt have a positive impact on our business.”
Kinch Aviation has grown rapidly over the last five years and now employs a local workforce of highly skilled engineers. Specialising in the Cessna Citation range of Corporate Jets Kinch employ 15 engineers and have 4 apprentices on their books at present from South Yorkshire and surround areas. 
                                                        

                                             A presentation was made by Mark Paolucci, Senior Vice President Customer Services Cessna Citation to Paul Kinch (right) to mark the occasion. 

Private jets have a lifespan of 30 years +, and so regular maintenance, service, modification and painting is required to keep the aircraft in pristine condition which is what Kinch Aviation’s business is built around.

FODSA wish Kinch Aviation Services all the very best for the future at Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield.

More photographs of Kinch Official Opening by Clive Featherstone can be viewed here>   http://finningleygallery.fotopic.net/c1844884.html

SOUTH YORKSHIRE BUSINESSES pledge to take off from their local airport:

Read more here> http://www.robinhoodairport.com/press-releases/south-yorkshire-businesses-pledge-to-take-off-from-their-local-airport.html

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easyJet...... flights from Robin Hood Airport (DSA) to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Faro,Majorca and Prague are bookable via  www.easyJet.com

Read more here> http://www.robinhoodairport.com/press-releases/easyjet-take-off-from-doncaster-sheffield-airport.html

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 Aer Lingus are now selling tickets from Robin Hood Airport (DSA) to New York (JFK) and Boston (BOS).

Dublin here we come..... flights to Dublin from Robin Hood Airport (DSA) are bookable via www.aerlingus.com .

                          First Flight from Robin Hood Airport ready for departure.                                                                                                                                  Dublin here we come.....

For the latest Route News and more see 'Stats and Stuff'

Updates on all Summer 2010 Flights and Destinations, Summer 2010 Cruise Flights, One off Holidays, Winter 2010/11 Provisional Cruise Flights and December 2010 Provisional Lapland Flights. see 'At the Airport'

Provisional Summer Schedule 2011 from Thomson and Thomas Cook.see 'At the Airport'

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Landings at Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield are set to be weather proofed thanks to an investment of almost £1m. New equipment will mean that aircraft can land in the region, even in extremely poor weather conditions.

The CAT III Instrument Landing System (ILS) allows aircraft to make approaches to the runway in deteriorating visibility and cloud conditions thanks to glide path and central line information being fed to the cockpit allowing the pilot to maintain a course for the runway.

Mike Morton, Airport Director for Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield said: “This is a huge investment in the airport and will mean that more flights will be able to land in adverse weather conditions.
“This upgrade continues our commitment to improving our airfield infrastructure and it also means that Doncaster Sheffield Airport will be able to host aircraft that have been diverted from other airports who don’t have this equipment and are suffering from poor weather.

“Our aim is always to provide the best possible service for our customers and by investing in this top of the range equipment we will be increasing the number of flights that can land here whatever the weather and further improving on the reliability of our services.” 

The Instrument Landing System (ILS) is a ground-based instrument approach system that provides precision guidance to an aircraft approaching a runway, using a combination of radio signals and, in many cases, high-intensity lighting arrays to enable a safe landing during instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), such as low cloud ceiling height or reduced visibility due to fog, rain, or blowing snow.

Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield Master Plan to 2030 click to read or down load.

A Dragon Rapide Experience  see 'FODSA News'