A Tolhurst welcomed everyone to the remote meeting of the Airport Consultative Committee (ACC). 

Apologies for absence were noted as above. 

A Tolhurst opened the meeting commenting that, he had hoped that today’s meeting would have been held in person rather than electronically, but due to a second wave of the Coronavirus, there would be a longer period of uncertainty. 

The pandemic has had a devastating effect thus far on the economy and there is bad news still to come. 

Like so many other commercial activities, Aviation has been especially hard hit and almost each week there is news of further cutbacks and layoffs. 

Referring to some of the papers included in today’s agenda, representations had been made to the Government for support, but none has been forthcoming.  In fact, some Governmental changes have had an adverse effect with quarantine rules and airport testing being changed at a moment’s notice, air bridges being established and then demolished and that, instead of it being abolished, Air Passenger duty is to be increased next year.

Even setting up the Global Travel Taskforce headed by Grant Shapps and Nick Hancock, although most welcome, it seems to many sceptics to be too little too late.  He queried if it would lead to a coherent plan. 

It was noted that The Union Connectivity Review was currently underway, however, the Terms of Reference had taken nearly four months to produce.  The Review was a good development and could have an impact on the ‘levelling-up’ concept. 

Members’ attention was drawn to an excellent news article entitled ‘Airport Schemes are Taking off Despite the Many Challenges’. 

The news article had been published in the Yorkshire Post on 9^th October 2020. 

The news article stated that, "Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) is pleased to be involved in the Great Northern Conference and to be contributing to the crucial debate on how to best focus on rebuilding the economy and developing opportunities across the North of England in a sustainable way, particularly given the unprecedented events of the past six months".

Article available at: https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/airport-schemes-are-taking-despite-many-challenges-2998952

Referring to the latest UKACCs News Bulletin of 14^th October 2020, Members’ attention was drawn to an International Airport Review article published on 8^th October 2020 entitled ‘Strategising Airport Operations for the New Norm’. 

Article available at: https://www.internationalairportreview.com/article/138466/strategising-airport-operations-new-norm/

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the Airport Consultative Committee held on 16^th July 2020 be agreed as a correct record. 

i)          Questions and Answers Briefing Note on DSA’s Airspace Changes, Noise and Environmental Issues

Following the request at the September ACC meeting, there had been no receipt of any frequently asked questions from Members on DSA’s airspace changes, noise and environmental issues.  

Members were asked to submit any frequently asked questions to the Committee Secretary for inclusion in the document as soon as possible. 

ii)         Special Meeting of the ACC - Presentation by Genecon

Following discussion, the Committee requested that a special meeting of the ACC be arranged within the next month to allow representatives from Genecon to provide the Committee with a detailed presentation focusing upon the delivery of the economic output of the airport, including the type and nature of jobs onsite at the airport, the distribution of jobs and where they sit in terms of job sectors. 

K Stow added that, the airport would be happy to extend the invitation to any specialists within their organisations which Members represent.  ACTION: K Stow, A Tolhurst & A Shirt

iii)       Mayor Jones’ Covid-19 Recovery Group

A Tolhurst asked airport representatives if they were content with the response provided from C Hall in relation to the membership of Mayor Jones’ Covid-19 Recovery Group. 

K Stow replied that, although the airport was involved with regards to sustainability, they had not been involved in any economic discussions, both now and in the future. 

Councillor Mordue commented that it was imperative for the airport to be involved in discussions; the airport was a very important catalyst to supporting Doncaster’s economic future. 

On behalf of the airport, Councillor Mordue agreed to speak with Mayor Jones to highlight that there is a need for the airport to be involved in discussions and that they are an important contributor. 

A Bosmans added he was disappointed to note that, the local authority was not consulting with the airport, due to the airport being a key regenerator in the region. 

The Committee noted the contents of a letter from the Airport Operators Association (AOA) and its member airports who had written to the Prime Minister on 3^rd September 2020 to call for further Government action to support the UK aviation sector during the Covid-19 crisis. 

The Committee discussed the current situation at length and noted that there has been a lack of Government action to support the UK aviation sector during the Covid-19 pandemic.  Several Members asked if further action could be taken locally as they feared that the airport could be at risk without some support.

In reply, K Stow said that a consistently powerful voice from Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, across the Mayoral Combined Authority, Doncaster MBC and from Nick Fletcher MP would be welcome.  She then highlighted the activities of Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen in support of Tees Valley International Airport, as a good example of an effective campaign.

A Bosmans said that he was concerned there was a fragmented approach locally and that the message needed to be more comprehensive.  This view was supported by other Members who expressed pride in the airport and commented on the value DSA adds to the local economy.

K Stow reminded Members of the investment already made by Peel Airports Limited in DSA and said that there were currently two funding opportunities which DSA was currently bidding for.  The first opportunity, was to create a Doncaster Freeport which would drive inward investment and incentivisation to those companies to invest on-site and provide employment opportunities. 

The second opportunity was in relation to a Freeport Infrastructure Fund bid, which Government was currently actively pursuing. 

The airport was also heavily involved in discussions with the University of Sheffield with regards to the aspiration to create an Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) type facility and locate this on the airport site. This would provide a research and development anchor and supply chain opportunities on the airport site. 

Following a lengthy discussion, the Committee agreed that DSA is a key contributor to the sustainability agenda and plays a leading role in the local economy, the loss of which would have a devastating impact and yet the above points do not appear to be being made strongly enough to Government. 

The Committee recognised that the recovery and sustainability packages are being addressed regionally and locally but Members felt that the case for supporting DSA could be enhanced regionally and nationally. 

The Committee’s view was that, without a more cogent case being made to sustain DSA, the facility must be at risk.  Accordingly, the Committee agreed that a letter be sent by the Airport Consultative Committee to Mayor Dan Jarvis, copied to local Leaders, Doncaster and Nottinghamshire Local Chambers of Commerce, to request that, they do all that they are able to make the case for supporting DSA, so that operations can continue in their current form and for the airport to remain a key contributor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Committee noted the contents of a UKACCs Briefing Note which summarised Government’s response to the HoC Transport Committee’s second report on the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Committee also noted the contents of UKACCs’ letters to the Secretary of State for Transport and to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, setting out UKACCs’ concerns reading the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on UK airports.

RESOLVED – That the Committee:-

i)          Noted the contents of a UKACCs Briefing Note which summarised Government’s response to the HoC Transport Committee’s second report on the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.

ii)         Noted the contents of UKACCs’ letters to the Secretary of State for Transport and to the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The Committee noted the contents of a news article written by the Airport Operators Association’s (AOA) Chief Executive Karen Dale, following the Chancellor's Statement unveiling the Winter Economic Plan. 

RESOLVED – That the Committee noted the contents of the news article. 

The Committee noted the contents of an ICCAN briefing note giving details of the publication of their report, ‘Aviation Noise and Public Health: Rapid Evidence Assessment’, which explores the relationship between aviation noise and people’s health. 

The briefing note also set out the key findings and ICCAN’s next steps. 

RESOLVED – That the Committee noted the contents of ICCAN’s briefing note. 

K Stow provided the Committee with a verbal update on airport activities. 

The following key business updates were noted:

·                The Wizz Air base at DSA was scheduled to open on 22^nd October 2020. 

·                The outlook for TUI remained very challenging.  The airport anticipated that TUI would operate a limited number of flights during the winter season from DSA, mainly due to passenger demand and customers deferring their holidays until next year.  Next summer sales for TUI were currently very strong. 

The January / February holiday booking period for TUI would be very important.  It was hoped that customer confidence would return next year. 

·                Due to the financial impact of Covid, representations had been made to Peel Airports for considerable investment on DSA’s 5 year Business Plan.  

·                The airport continued lobbying working in partnership with the Strategic Aviation Special Interest Group (SASIG), the Regional and Business Airports (RABA) Group and the Airport Operators Association (AOA). 

The airport continued to respond to all consultations, letters and were involved in a number of Special Interest Groups. 

D Thomas added that, in relation to lobbying, there had been signs of ‘green shoots’ emerging from discussions with RABA, the AOA and from an expert Steering Group which DSA sat on with other airports, airlines and members of Treasury etc. who were asking for easements which would help operational reductions throughout the winter period to help sustain employment.  The Steering Group were also examining NextGen testing and when it would need to be introduced. 

It was highlighted that, the airport still needed answers from Government with regards to business rates relief, a solution to Air Passenger Duty (ADP) and a bespoke aviation jobs scheme package. 

·                DSA would be submitting a bid to the Port Infrastructure Fund, which had recently been announced by Government for the construction of new facilities. 

·                A joint DSA and iPort bid for Freeport status was currently on-going.  A Government announcement had been made on 7^th October 2020, setting out further details around how it would create a number of new innovative Freeports across the UK to create jobs, drive investment and regenerate communities. 

·                In relation to the Gateway East Rail Scheme, the DfT had rejected proposals for the Scheme to enter the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline (RNEP) process to circa £1.5m of funding which would have allowed the Scheme to progress to outline business case stage. 

Partners’ were of the view that there were not strong grounds to reject the proposal at this time.  Work would continue to progress the Scheme. 

·                The Coronavirus Testing Centre remained operational onsite at the airport.  The contract with the Department for Health and Serco had been extended. 

·                Conversations continued with the Vulcan to the Sky Trust with regards to their ambitions for a Business Plan, linking with the airport’s operational requirements and regulations. 

·                Neil Lees had recently stepped down from his position as Deputy Chairman of the Peel Group.  It was likely that John Peter Whittaker would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

RESOLVED – That the draft minutes of the Noise Monitoring and Environmental Sub-Committee held on 24^th September 2020 be noted. 

RESOLVED – That future meetings of the Airport Consultative Committee be held on:-

Thursday 28^th January 2021 (AGM and Ordinary)

Thursday 22^rd April 2021

Thursday 15^th July 2021

Thursday 14^th October 2021

All meetings will commence at 10:00 am. 

Due to the on-going Coronavirus pandemic, Members would be notified of the meeting arrangements in advance of the meeting.   

i)          Heritage Memorial Project

Parish Councillor Worthington asked if an update could be provided in relation to the current status of the Heritage Memorial Project. 

K Stow replied that, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, work on the Heritage Memorial Project had been paused.  However, it was on the Marketing Team’s agenda to progress and complete the work during the first quarter of 2021. 

Parish Councillor Worthington added that she had located details of all the deceased RAF officers and would forward this information when work re-commenced on the project. 

ii)         Training Flights

Parish Councillor Scutt reported that an easyJet aircraft had been undertaking training at the airport during the morning of 14^th October 2020.  Although the aircraft had varied its route, there were some instances where the aircraft had flown directly over Blaxton village. 

He added that, "promises" had previously been made by DSA that training flights would not fly over local villages.  Furthermore, it was illogical for the airport to require commercial flights to follow the Noise Preferential Route, but allowed training flights to pass low over Blaxton village. 

K Stow replied that easyJet training flights operated within the framework of the permitted routes.  Furthermore, the movements were within the training flights voluntary restrictions implemented in 2019. 

It was highlighted that, no promises had ever been made that training flights would not fly over local villages.  Training flights would take the authorised permitted route and be limited to 40 circuits per day. 

A Tolhurst commented that the Committee had never received assurances from the airport that training flights would not fly over local villages.  Wherever possible, training pilots would try to avoid local villages, but this was very much dependent upon the wind and weather at the time of flying. 

Parish Councillor Scutt was requested to forward details of his complaint via email to allow D Thomas to investigate.  ACTION: Parish Cllr Scutt / D Thomas. 

A Tolhurst reminded Members that all complaints regarding aircraft noise should be reported directly to the airport, to allow them to log the complaint, investigate and opportunity to provide a response. 

To lodge a complaint, Members could do so by leaving their name and address followed by the date of the disturbance, time and any other information to assist the investigation by:

• Calling the 24 hour answering service on 01302 623499
• Emailing environment@flydsa.co.uk
• Use the online web form at https://www.flydsa.co.uk/about-us/environment/
• Or by writing to:

Environment & Community Manager
Doncaster Sheffield Airport
Heyford House
First Avenue
Doncaster
DN9 3RH

RESOLVED – That the Annual General Meeting and Ordinary Meeting of the ACC be held Thursday 28th January 2021 at 10:00 am.