Doncaster Sheffield Airport has announced significant progress in the hiring of its Air Traffic Control team as it continues to prepare for re-opening.
Multiple positions have now been filled in both Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Air Traffic Services roles at the airport, including nine trainees now undergoing practical and theoretical training to complete Tower and Radar qualifications.
Led by Andy Hudson, Head of Air Traffic Services, the department has employed experienced staff members from other major airports, with the majority of positions now having been filled by South Yorkshire residents.
The airport has also announced investments into and installation of all-new Air Traffic Services technology, which will be used to monitor and direct aircraft, enable the team to conduct training exercises and put into place a number of essential procedures ahead of the airport’s re-opening – which last week saw a new milestone with the progression to the next stage of its Airspace Change Process (ACP).
Andy Hudson, Head of Air Traffic Services at Doncaster Sheffield Airport, said:I’d like to extend a warm welcome to all of our newest ATC hires. It's essential we invest in the future of aviation, and I'm pleased we’re able to do this as we re-open Doncaster Sheffield Airport. We will continue to play our part in addressing the national shortage of ATC professionals in the country in the coming years.
The fact we that have a mix of trainees and experienced staff members means that we have a very strong footing already, and it’s brilliant to see so much excitement, professionalism and knowledge from everybody involved. Safety and compliance are central to everything we do and this preparedness is invaluable as we look forward to building this team further in the coming months and years.
The airport is currently set to re-open to freight in 2027 and passengers in 2028, with improvements planned for airport infrastructure, as well as the Airspace Change Process, which is expected to be complete in Spring 2027.
