Robin Hood signs new deal with holiday company

Doncaster’s Robin Hood Airport is set to take off for a bright new future after signing a long-term deal with a leading travel company.
Steve Gill and Karen Switzer sign the deal between Robin Hood and TUI.Steve Gill and Karen Switzer sign the deal between Robin Hood and TUI.
Steve Gill and Karen Switzer sign the deal between Robin Hood and TUI.

Bosses have agreed a new contract with TUI UK & Ireland which will see the travel firm operating Thomson and First Choice holidays from the region for many years to come.

Steve Gill, managing director of Doncaster Sheffield Airport said: “This is fantastic news for the Sheffield City Region and a real cause for celebration.

“TUI UK & Ireland has been with the airport since day one and was instrumental in the opening of this huge asset for the region.

“Signing this contract is a huge sign of TUI UK & Ireland’s commitment to the region and their confidence in the airport’s growth strategy.”

Doncaster Sheffield Airport returned to the ownership of Peel in 2013 and is part of Peel Airports Ltd which includes Liverpool John Lennon and Durham Tees Valley airports.

“TUI UK & Ireland’s confidence has been boosted by the progress in turning the Finningley and Rossington Regeneration Route Scheme (FARRRS) from a dream to a reality. The new road will dramatically improve journey times to Doncaster Sheffield Airport supporting development at the new Enterprise Zone and its other business parks,” added Steve.

There are expansive plans for the site thanks to the government announcement that Robin Hood Airport Business Park would be classed as an Enterprise Zone.

The site will eventually accommodate 2,000 engineering and manufacturing jobs, with hopes that once the land is occupied it will act as a catalyst for further investment, creating a further 2,500 jobs.

Karen Switzer, director of aviation planning for TUI UK & Ireland, said: “We are delighted to further cement our relationship with Doncaster Sheffield Airport. For us this is a long term commitment to the airport and to the Sheffield City Region.

“We recently visited the transformational new link road project and were impressed by the regeneration ambitions of the region.

“The new road will significantly improve access to the airport for passengers travelling from Sheffield and the surrounding boroughs. We look forward to welcoming the new customers to our holidays that this will bring.”

As well as assistance from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund, the Doncaster Council led regeneration project has backing from private sector partners Harworth Estates, the Peel Group and Verdion and is supported regionally by the Growing Places Fund and the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). The main contractor for the works is Carillion.