National Police Air Service temporarily relocate after closure of Doncaster Sheffield Airport

The UK’s National Police Air Service (NPAS) are relocating its fixed-wing operations to Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA), after Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) was closed.

The last operational flight left DSA on 15 November to assist South Yorkshire Police and Lincolnshire Police. Operations have not been impacted by the closure.

The move to LBA comes after Peel Group decided to close the airport, terminating NPAS’s lease at DSA. This is a short-term solution, but will allow NPAS time to identify a more suitable, permanent base for the crew and aircraft.

Currently, a base manager, six tactical flight officers and four pilots are employed in the fixed-wing team. They will all relocate to the temporary base at LBA. The fleet is made up of four aeroplanes and 19 helicopters.

NPAS Chief Operating Officer and Accountable Manager Chief Superintendent Vicki White said: “Termination of our lease at Doncaster Sheffield Airport was very much against our wishes. We are doing all we can to minimise disruption as we move operations temporarily to Leeds Bradford Airport. We expect that all the extra costs created by the early termination of our lease will be met by Doncaster Sheffield Airport.”

Aircraft is vital for policing worldwide, with Cook County Sheriff’s Office in the US recently having their funding application for a new police helicopter approved.