Who are 'Friends of Doncaster Sheffield Airport'
Background
Friends of Doncaster Sheffield Airport (FODSA) was established in February 2005 by a small group of people who had previously been part of ‘FLY’ Finningley (Finningley locals say YES). The ‘FLY’ group was formed in 1998 by like minded people who agreed that it was in the best interests of South Yorkshire and the surrounding districts for the old Finningley RAF base to be turned into an international airport. The group gave support to the planning application, actively collecting many thousands of letters of support for the development. People from the ‘FLY’ group also gave evidence at the Public Inquiry and indeed received praise, for the quality of their evidence, from counsel representing both those for and against the development. The FODSA group is not unique and has followed the footsteps of ‘Friends of Liverpool Airport’ (FOLA) whom we have to thank for help setting up our own organisation. However, as FOLA point out in their own literature, it is almost unique to have a Friends association, when elsewhere, many other airports have to battle it out with pressure groups. However, we do aim to be an independent,and non-political organisation and hope to gather members from near and far.
Basis of our activities
Our aim is to promote ROBIN HOOD AIRPORT at each and every opportunity, through encouraging its preservation, development and improvement. We will also help to inform public opinion by providing advice and information about the airport, the airlines that use it and services available from it. As a society, FODSA brings together like minded people with a common interest. At present we hold meetings twice monthly, have regular visits to places of interest and produce a quarterly Newsletter distributed free to members.
How do we do this
These broad objectives are put into practice in a variety of ways and we aim to assist the airport to develop its potential in every way possible. For example, we assist the airport by providing additional hands for distribution of advertising material and in other promotional activity. In due course we hope that FODSA members will be acting as guides to visiting school parties. We will also be looking at setting up exhibitions in large factories and office blocks to promote Robin Hood Airport. We can also help to keep the airport in the public spotlight by writing to the press and prominent people regarding subjects that affect the airport and its operations.
Looking to the future
Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield International Airport is the first all new airport in this country since Stansted was built in the late 1960’s. It promises to be a real success and it is important that the FODSA group grow and adapt alongside the airport. So if you would like to help promote or simply just keep abreast of developments at this brand new airport then joining FODSA should be a priority.
Meetings
FODSA hold two meetings a month. They are held in The Duxbury Theatre, which is the second building on the right hand side of the Airport approach road after turning at the Hayfield Lane traffic lights. Meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday in the month and are open to all members. The meeting on the first Wednesday commences at 07.30pm and the meeting on the third Wednesday commences at 7:30pm. Meetings usually last about one and a half hours. The meetings provide an opportunity to obtain news on airport activities. There is a good deal of open discussion on matters relating to FODSA and details of the society correspondence. We occasionally manage to get a member of the airport management team to attend a meeting and update us with the latest news and, if time permits, answer questions from the floor.
Newsletter
FODSA produce a quarterly newsletter containing news, views, and articles about the airport and its environs. It also has news about FODSA activities. Members are encouraged to contribute.
Special events and trips
FODSA have a social secretary and organise outings to places of interest. In recent times FODSA members have paid visits to London Stansted Airport, John Lennon Airport at Liverpool, Robin Hood Airport Control Tower and Fire Station, RHADS Fire Station for instruction on Airfield Habitat Management, RAF Scampton to see the Red Arrows team, Elvington Air Museum, the Imperial War Museum Duxford and the Royal Airforce Museum at London. All members have the opportunity to take part. We may also organise occasional charter aircraft trips and maybe take advantage of budget flights available from the airport to various destinations for day trips or weekend breaks.
Internet site
The site is regularly updated and contains all the information about the FODSA group and Robin Hood airport and the services available from it. There are links to RHA website and the various airlines that use the airport. There is also a link to the FOLA website at Liverpool.
Membership
Membership is open to all and following recent changes to the constitution will run from Jan 1st to Dec 31st. Included in the membership is a quarterly newsletter.
ConcessionsFODSA make efforts to obtain concessions for members at various outlets. These will be announced in the Newsletter when and as they become available.
Application Membership Forms are available to print off via link at top of this page.
Alternatively send an e-mail to :