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LATEST NEWS:
Commencing on the 18th January 2010, Hurst Lane will be closed at its junction to the A638 Great North Road in a north easterly direction to a point immediately south of the junction with the Airport Access Road. It will be closed weekdays only between 0600hrs Monday to 1800hrs Friday commencing Monday 4th January 2010 to Friday 12th February 2010.
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Doncaster Council’s Planning Committee have approved variations to planning conditions submitted by Doncaster Sheffield Airport that have previously restricted certain categories of aircraft from operating from the Airport at night.
Aircraft can be categorised in terms of noise by a ‘Quota Count’ system and the original planning consent for the Airport when it opened almost 5 years ago, set a limit, or noise quota, for the amount of night time noise permitted in a year. Within this limit, slightly noisier Quota Count 4 (QC4) aircraft and above, were not permitted to operate during the night between 23:00 and 07:00. Until now, these restrictions have meant that the Airport has been unable to attract key cargo operators who need the flexibility to operate occasional flights with QC4 aircraft from the Airport at night.
In addition to approving the Airport’s proposal to lift the current QC4 aircraft restriction, the Council also approved proposals put forward by the Airport to reduce the overall annual quota count limit by 26% and to restrict numbers of QC4 aircraft movements at night to a maximum of 100 per year. The Airport also proposed a complete ban on all much noisier QC8 and QC16 aircraft – bringing tighter controls on the noisiest aircraft, which were also approved.
Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield sees this decision as vital if it is to capitalise on the opportunities to grow its air freight business, with the potential to create up to 440 jobs and bring a further welcome boost to the local economy.
Mike Morton, Airport Director commented, “This news is another important step in making this Airport even more attractive to prospective operators and to realise the potential it has in the air freight industry with the associated economic benefits this will bring for the region.
Throughout the consultation that took place ahead of today’s Council decision, we have stressed that this is not about creating increased noise, but about giving operators the flexibility to use a mix of aircraft that they need from time to time, but within an even tighter level of overall night time noise limits and ensuring that we maintain and enhance our commitment to minimise the Airport’s impact on local communities.”
Interesting Movements for January by Clive Featherstone out now. See whats been flying in, out and around the airport during January. Includes Atlantc Airways Lockheed, AN12 Meridian Cargo, London Executive Aviation, Jet2 Crew training, Diverts and an RAF Dominie to name but a few. see 'Stats and Stuff' Interesting Movements.
Aer Lingus Regional - Dublin timetable out now, see 'Stats and Stuff' - Route News.
Port plan 'should not be delayed' read more here> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/8471027.stm
Aer Arann signs Franchise Agreement with Aer Lingus.
Agreement sees return of Doncaster Sheffield Link to Dublin.
26th January 2010: Aer Arann and Aer Lingus have today announced that agreement has been reached to establish a franchise arrangement between the two airlines.
Under this franchise agreement Aer Arann will operate 12 routes from Dublin and Cork. The routes will include current Aer Lingus and Aer Arann routes as well as 3 new routes.
One of the three new routes is Dublin to Doncaster Sheffield which will operate daily from March 28th 2010.
These franchise services will be branded as “Aer Lingus Regional” and operated using Aer Arann ATR 72-500 aircraft and crew. All franchise flights including Doncaster Sheffield to Dublin are on sale from today on www.aerlingus.com.
The ATR 72 is one of a family of twin turboprop passenger and freighter aircraft developed and manufactured by Avions de Transport Regional (ATR). ATR, with headquarters in Toulouse, is a joint venture company between EADS and Finmeccanica / Alenia Aeronautica.
The family consists of the ATR 42 and ATR 72, of which the ATR 42-500 and ATR 72-500 are the models currently in production.
Welcoming the new agreement Aer Lingus Chief Executive Mr. Christoph Mueller said
“This franchise agreement is good news for all stakeholders in Aer Lingus as it will allow us to serve key regional destinations, linking them with our Dublin transatlantic network as well as offering our business and leisure customers improved schedule and frequency options.”
Aer Arann Chief Executive Mr. Paul Schütz also welcomed the agreement calling it an “a major development for Irish aviation and the tourism industry. The combined strengths of both airlines, including brand power and market presence, will allow us to offer a quality customer product that meets the capacity requirements of existing and new destinations including Doncaster Sheffield.
Aer Arann is a leading regional airline and in addition to operating routes for Aer Lingus Regional the airline will continue to operate under its own Aer Arann brand on routes within Ireland, from Ireland to the UK and France and from the Isle of Man to London and Paris.
Nick Smillie, Aviation Sales Director, said: “This is great news for the airport and for people living in South Yorkshire, the North Midlands, Lincolnshire and the Humber.
“We have been working hard to bring back Dublin, which was one of our most popular routes from Doncaster Sheffield Airport and are delighted to be able to make this announcement today.
“This route will be able to open up transatlantic connections to our passengers via Dublin and is a huge step forward for us. This Aer Lingus Regional connection means that passengers travelling to the States will be able to travel on one through booking. They’ll be able to drop their baggage at Doncaster Sheffield without having to check it in again at Dublin for their onward connection, and importantly clear US Immigration in Dublin ahead of arriving in New York and Boston.
“We are focused on delivering services that our customers are asking for so that their journey does not have to involve a long drive across the Pennines or on congested motorway networks to reach their departure airport. Already voted Yorkshire’s Best Airport on customer satisfaction levels, we know this is where people in the region want to fly from!”
Today’s announcement has been warmly welcomed by the region’s tourism organisation Welcome to Yorkshire who are confident there is tremendous potential in attracting more Irish visits to the region.
Gary Verity, Chief Executive from Welcome to Yorkshire, said “These new routes are great news for the region, the airport and our local tourism businesses.
“Ireland is an increasingly important market for us; recent research shows that an increasing number of visitors from Ireland are choosing Yorkshire as their holiday destination so these new flights will mean they have more opportunities to spend more time in our county which is great news for Yorkshire.”
The news also comes as a major boost to the regions business community. In a 2008 business travel survey conducted by Doncaster Sheffield Airport, 43% of the top 100 businesses in the Sheffield City Region cited Dublin as an important market for them.
Daniel Fell, Head of Chamber at Doncaster Chamber said "The announcement of new flights from Robin Hood Airport to Dublin is a great boost to the local economy, particularly those businesses operating in the tourism sector.
"Dublin is one of the top destinations for local business travelers and the new daily flights will be incredibly popular.
"Business confidence in Doncaster is currently significantly ahead of regional and national trends; Robin Hood Airport remains the most significant development in Doncaster and South Yorkshire for decades, its continued growth and status as a key economic asset for the borough will help Doncaster stay ahead of the curve for years to come.
"It is now critical that the infrastructure necessary for the growth of the airport is delivered and, even more importantly, that businesses within the airport's catchment area make Robin Hood their airport of choice."
The aircraft that operated the first commercial revenue flight when DSA opened, G-THOG Boeing B737-300 was withdrawn from use by Thomson on 1st Nov 2009. To go onward to Europe Air Post as EI-STA .
Holiday makers are getting set to experience the perfect Mediterranean getaway thanks to Robin Hood Airport’s new flight for a week-long ‘Seven Cities of Italy’ tour.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport has teamed up with specialist tour operator, Newmarket Holidays, to host direct flights to Verona and Venice for the breathtaking Lake Garda trip, which includes visits to the cities of Chianciano, Verona, Assisi, Rome, Florence, Siena and San Gimignano in September 2010.
The seven-day, holiday will see travellers tour the north of the country, taking in stunning scenery of magnificent lakes and mountains, with escorted visits to the cities with an expert tour manager.
Return flights are included in the package, along with dinner and continental breakfast at the three-star Bristol Hotel in Riva Del Garda for three nights, and four nights at three star hotel, Minerva Hotel in the popular Tuscan spa resort of Chianciano Terme.
Jodi Stow, Marketing & Communications Manager at Robin Hood Airport said “We are thrilled to be working with Newmarket Holidays, to offer this exclusive tour which will fly to one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
“The new flights in September 2010 will give travellers in the region a fantastic chance to see the wonders of Lake Garda and all these beautiful cities, and the airport is looking forward to adding Verona and Venice to its repertoire of excellent destinations.”
The Seven Cities of Italy holiday departs on 5th September 2010 and is £759pp.
A variety of other resort-based Lake Garda holidays, with chances to explore the surrounding region on optional excursions, and including flights from Robin Hood Airport are also on offer, with prices from £566pp, departing 5 September 2010.
For further details visit www.newmarketholidays.co.uk
Peel Airports Aviation Sales Director Nick Smillie along with Kate Waiton Group Sales Manager, address FODSA open meeting 20th January. see 'FODSA News'
Ken's Monthly Notes for December out now. All the latest information on Passenger Figures, Landmarks, Records and Route News researched and compiled by Ken Bardell. see 'Stats and Stuff', also Summer 2010 schedule update, see 'At the Airport'
Jet2.com has pledged to fly a pride of neglected lions from a Romanian zoo to Yorkshire free of charge this February as part of, what is planned to be, the biggest ever big cat rescue to date. Jet2.com has joined forces with Yorkshire Wildlife Park, who is leading the mission, to charter a one-off flight to rescue a pride of 13 lions which are being held in cramped conditions, facing an uncertain future at Oradea Zoo, Romania. Under the supervision of leading wildlife veterinarians, the big cats, which range in age from one to 27 years old, will be flown to Doncaster Robin Hood Airport, 11th February, and re-housed at a specially built 10-acre enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster.
Fresh talks will be held over proposals to loosen restrictions on night flying at Doncaster's Robin Hood Airport.
Following discussions with the airport and consultation with interested parties and residents Peel Airports has submitted revised consultation documents that replace the documents put forward for consideration in January last year.
The submitted revised consultation documents can be read here>
Robin Hood Airport director Mike Morton said the airport wants to ease the restrictions because it would give them more chance of attracting freight operators.
He hopes it could lead to 440 jobs being created in airfreight by 2016.
Mr Morton said: “It would mean more revenue for the airport and for the local region there are huge job opportunities on the back of these businesses coming in.”
Letters have been sent to interested parties, such as parish and town councils, and residents who have previously objected to the proposal. Neighbouring authorities will also be consulted.
All the latest updates on Airlines, Aircraft Types, Cargo Aircraft and World Aircraft Registrations at Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield courtesy of Clive Featherstone, visit 'Stats and Stuff'
A New Day has Dawned, the Future is Bright.
The future is looking bright for Robin Hood Airport as yet another new business is set to take up residents at the airport.
Renaissance International Completions Ltd held its official launch in Directions hangar 2 where it will set up its European headquarters. 
Over 100 guests were invited to the launch which took place on Tuesday 15th December. They came from a wide spectrum and included delegates from the Canadian High Commission, the Quebec government, BAE Systems, European Sky Bus, Kinch Aviation, Aero Recourses, Corporate Jet Management, Jet Aviation to name but a few, guests also included members from DMBC, Doncaster Chamber, Invest in Doncaster, Yorkshire Forward, Directions, RHADS, FODSA, Mayor Peter Davies and the Rt Hon Caroline Flint MP.
The Renaissance International Completions Centre will be using the site at Robin Hood Airport for serving, maintaining and kitting out the interiors of private jets – believed to be the only one of its kind in Europe.
The company says it has a worldwide client list and Doncaster will become its international office so it can serve the European and Middle East Market. 
Renaissance has plans in the long term to expand its operations at the airport. Recruitment of a minimum of 40 people is to start in January, with the figure potentially rising to 70.
The move to the town follows talks with officials from Doncaster Council's 'Invest in Doncaster – Take Off' trade fair team in Montreal earlier this year.
Bryan Landry, president of Renaissance International Holdings, said: "There's no doubt that the warm welcome of Doncaster's residents, its dynamic working environment, and the beautiful scenic views of South Yorkshire played a significant role in our decision to choose Robin Hood Airport as the completions service hub of Europe.
"We would like to thank all those involved for giving us this opportunity to develop our European operations benefiting both Renaissance and Doncaster's business community."
Coun Jonathan Wood, Doncaster Council's cabinet member for business, said: "The aviation sector is really taking notice of Doncaster as an attractive business destination and I am delighted to welcome Renaissance.
"This new base will bring high flyers from around the world to Doncaster and I am hoping that we can become the business jet capital of Europe."
Guest speakers for the evening were, Bryan Landry, Anthony Codrington and Steen Staudal - Renaissance, Mike Morton - RHADS, Cllr Jonathan Wood - DMBC, Pierre Boulanger - Quebec Government, Mayor Peter Davies - DMBC, Rt Hon Caroline Flint MP and Guest of Honour Alan Tolhurst.
Visit Renaissance website here> http://renaissancerih.com/