Our Wide Area Dispersant Application Services provider, 2Excel Aviation, has confirmed that Doncaster Airport owners have decided to close Doncaster Airport permanently. The provision of aviation services at Doncaster Airport will start to wind down during the week commencing Monday, 31st October 2022.
This decision means that from 31st October, we will no longer be able to operate the 727 from Doncaster Airport.
2Excel Aviation is working hard to find an interim solution and has conducted a complete analysis of possible locations. Following this analysis, they have identified Cardiff as an interim solution for the 727 and associated assets (loading equipment, dispersant). The aircraft will move to its new location before 31st October.
There will be no disruption to our response readiness. We will maintain the ability to supply wide area dispersant application aviation platforms equipped with dedicated dispersant application systems with pilots/crew trained and experienced in low-level spray mission flying as detailed in the Service Level Agreement.
We want to reassure our members that our number one priority is maintaining our response readiness. Given the importance of the 727 to our members, we have set up an internal project team. The project team's focus is to ensure we maintain our response readiness throughout the 727’s move to its new location.
You will receive further communications as timelines and information become further defined. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Global Aviation Manager, Shane Jacobs.