2Excel Aviation aircraft to depart Doncaster-Sheffield Airport
Innovative aerospace services company 2Excel Aviation has outlined plans for its move to new operational bases following Peel Group’s decision to close Doncaster-Sheffield Airport.
The company has swiftly reacted to the closure news, delivering an accelerated movement plan for 18 of its aircraft that previously operated from Doncaster. After the airport closes, employee-owned 2Excel will retain its premises in DSA’s Hangar 3, with ground-based support roles such as continuing airworthiness, procurement, design engineering, safety and operations continuing to be based there for the foreseeable future.
Of the 18 2Excel aircraft on the move, the company’s two Boeing 727 aircraft, operated on behalf of Oil Spill Response Ltd in the counter-pollution role, will be based at Teesside Airport. Three King Airs and two Panther variants of the PA-31 Navajo operated on behalf of the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency are slated to move to Humberside, along with another Navajo used by OSRL as a spotter aircraft.
Other PA-31s and King Airs used for pilot training and check flights and others operated by the company’s Capability Development design engineering, manufacturing and maintenance business unit, which also includes a flight trials operation, will also move to Humberside. A pair of Charter King Airs will on occasions visit Humberside when not out flying customers.
Andy Offer, 2Excel’s co-founder and Director, said: “It is a testament to all at 2Excel that since the announcement of Doncaster’s closure on 26 September, our employees have worked flat out to react to the news and reconfigure the business, delivering a plan to minimise huge potential disruption in a safe and efficient manner.
“While disappointed that we are being forced to move our operational base away from Doncaster-Sheffield Airport, a place we’ve been proud to call our home for a decade, we have been overwhelmed by the swift response from across the industry. We know that it is a close-knit community, but the number of offers to help us manage the unexpected transition and to provide temporary basing options have been much appreciated. We’ve also proved we are agile, flexible and responsive, proceeding at pace to devise a solution.
“Special thanks must go to Humberside and Teesside Airports, where many of our aeroplanes will be based for the first time. The professionalism of these operators and their willingness to accommodate us is much appreciated. They have provided a great welcome at very short notice. And we are happy to be returning several other aircraft to the company’s spiritual home at Sywell Aerodrome, where we retain our corporate HQ and where 2Excel started out with The Blades aerobatic team.
“We look forward to working with all those at our new bases who have made us so welcome.”
