Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) and Doncaster Rovers have announced a new partnership.
Both parties will work together to promote the airport's new and expanded destinations across Europe and the rest of the world to fans and their families.
The new collaboration will see DSA named as the club's official airport partner and Flybe as the club's official airline partner, with both parties working together on fan initiatives to underline the benefits of flying locally.
The airport will undertake a visible presence inside the Keepmoat Stadium as part of the deal, along with launching exciting competitions and special offers for Rovers fans.
The airport has just recorded its best ever year with 1.2million passengers using the airport in 2016, and it coincides with a significant increase in destinations following the launch of 11 new routes with Flybe including Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin, Dublin, Malaga, Alicante and Jersey, bringing the total number of destinations the airport serves to more than 40.
Travel times have also been greatly reduced from across parts of Doncaster and the rest of the region thanks to Great Yorkshire Way, the new motorway link road from junction three of the M18.
Steve Gill, chief executive at Doncaster Sheffield Airport, said: “I’m really pleased to be launching this exciting partnership and look forward to making it a success. Our two organisations are key pillars of the community and by working together we can make sure we deliver more benefit locally to Doncaster. We want to be the first choice for all Rovers fans which in turn will help us to offer more routes and services locally.”
Gavin Baldwin, chief executive of Rovers, said: “We’re delighted to announce this significant partnership with Doncaster Sheffield Airport. We see the airport as a majorly important asset for the region and are deeply committed to supporting its development. There will be some great opportunities for fans to benefit including chances to win some fantastic prizes as well as supporting the club’s desire to get behind our local airport.”
Mathieu Baudry, Rovers defender, who was on hand to launch the partnership, said: “I really like the airport and so do my parents who regularly use the Paris service with Flybe to visit me. They find the airport so easy and convenient to use and it’s especially easy to get to for when I collect them. I’d encourage fans to check out the variety of destinations available, as I will be when the season is over.”
Doncaster Sheffield Airport currently serves more than 40 destinations plus onward connectivity to global destinations including hassle free to the US via Dublin. The airlines offering year-round flights include Thomson, Flybe, WizzAir and Aer Lingus. For more information about DSA’s destinations and flights, visit www.flydsa.co.uk.