Airport makes £200,000 investment as passenger numbers take off
TRAVELLERS from Doncaster Sheffield Airport are set for even faster journey times following a £200,000 investment in departure and security operations.
Currently one of the fastest growing airports in the UK, forecasting 1.3m passengers for the year ahead and recently seeing record passenger numbers for the months for April and May, the airport has made significant investments in equipment for the security and departure areas of the airport.
The purchase of four security machines will allow for quicker scanning of hand luggage and reduce the number of person searches required, the airport said.
On average, the airport now aims to process passengers through security within 10 minutes.
Other improvements include the introduction of airport ambassadors who will meet and greet passengers on arrival, assisting with any information requirements.
Steve Gill, chief executive of Doncaster Sheffield Airport, said: “We are delighted to be seeing growth in our passenger numbers and have made this investment in our terminal and staff to ensure that we improve the ease and speed of using our airport.
“This will allow us to increase the speed of journeys for our passengers through the airport whilst maintaining stringent security levels so a real gain in convenience for leisure and business travellers alike.”
This news closely follows the opening of Great Yorkshire Way, the new motorway link road from junction 3 of the M18 delivering faster travel times to the airport from across the region.
Ian Howarth, finance director of Pegler Yorkshire Group, a regular user of the airport for business travel from the Doncaster head office, said: “The airport is key to supporting our business, allowing us to easily bring staff to our UK operations from group operations in France, Germany and Holland alongside facilitating our wider travel needs. The ease of access to the airport through the new link road, convenience of parking and quick processing times through the airport are all major reasons driving the use of our local airport.”
Jillian Thomas, managing director of Future Life Wealth Management based in Sheffield and President of Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, added: “The new Flybe routes to European travel hubs have been a real benefit to my business allowing me to access long haul destinations such as Dubai.
“The opening of the new motorway link road, the closeness of the parking to the terminal and fast processing through the airport means I use our local airport whenever possible. I would encourage others to use the airport when travelling to enjoy these benefits and support a key asset for the Sheffield City region.”
