Low cost airline Wizz Air adds new destinations to Sheffield Doncaster Airport as it expands in the region

The operator is providing an extra 300,000 seats a year, adding destinations like Alicante, Malaga, Larnaca and Faro, with hopes that this will lead to massive expansion and a major boost to the local economy.

This will be the Hungarian airline’s second base in the UK and will also serve Eastern European destinations, providing an extra link home for many foreign workers and allowing their families to visit the region, boosting local tourism.

Owain Jones, managing director of Wizz Air UK told the Yorkshire Post the move was “great news all round” as it would immediately create 36 new jobs, with hundreds of auxiliary jobs to follow.

“We’ve been flying to Doncaster Sheffield Airport for 14 years. We’re the fourth largest airline in the UK and are in the very fortunate and slightly unique position to be able to expand our presence as the best capitalised airline in Europe.

“There are more family friendly destinations with year round appeal - people will be able to go on holiday to Portugal during the summer for a family holiday and also in the winter for golf, for example.”

Chris Harcombe, aviation development director at DSA said it was a challenging time for the aviation industry, adding: “It’s a huge vote of confidence in the airport and in the wider region. For Wizz Air to expand their presence here is very significant for the tourist and service sector, especially at this time.

“These conversations have been a long time in the making but it’s really positive that Wizz Air were keen to push forward and make it happen.”

Robert Hough, chairman of Doncaster Sheffield Airport, said: “There is no doubt that the aviation sector faces its greatest challenge in modern day history at this time. It is essential that the UK Government acknowledges and supports airlines and airports that bring much needed investment into the UK economy. Doncaster Sheffield Airport contributes over £60 million to the Sheffield City Region economy and already supports over a thousand jobs.”

“Doncaster Sheffield Airport’s management team and Peel Group have been working with Wizz Air for over a decade, in a collaboration which has seen them become DSA’s largest airline, carrying over 900,000 passengers every year. We began our collective journey early in the 2000s with a shared vision to bring opportunity through travel to a wider audience. Fast forward just over a decade and Wizz Air is one of Europe’s most successful and well-established airlines and Doncaster Sheffield Airport is one of the UK’s fastest growing airports – it’s a true partnership that has gone from strength to strength.

“A new A320 airbus and crew will take residence at DSA from November, providing more ultra-low fares to popular destinations loved by our customers and served by an airline providing an excellent product. With strong performance there is now a real possibility for the base to grow from one aircraft initially to a multi aircraft base further broadening the range of routes available.

Sheffield City Region Mayor, Dan Jarvis, said: “At a time when the aviation industry is facing the challenges of adapting both to the immediate shock of COVID and to the demands of cutting our carbon footprint, this is a strong statement of investor confidence in the South Yorkshire economy. Investment from the private sector will help us to get through our current crisis and grow stronger after it has passed. The presence of Wizz Air will boost Doncaster Sheffield Airport and further connect our region to the world.”

Nick Fletcher, MP for the Don Valley, said: “Connectivity is critical to Government’s levelling-up agenda. The opening of this base will bring with it jobs for the people of the Don Valley and reinforce the case to bring an East Coast Mainline station into the site. This in turn, will provide a future public transport catchment area in excess of 9 million people, not only to access the airport, but an economic district of innovation and greater employment.”

Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, said: “Our persistence and hard work is paying off as DSA is recognised as a catalyst for economic growth like no other in this region. Our collective public-private sector partnership that saw the aspiration and delivery of the Great Yorkshire Way, both linking the airport and expanding it catchment area, has overdelivered all of our expectations.”