active 2022-12-03 - Doncaster Sheffield (EGCN) - Closure Procedures

[VATSIM UK Operations]

Effective 03 December 2022

As of 0001Z on the 3rd December 2022, the Air Traffic Service (ATS) for Doncaster Sheffield (EGCN) was terminated and the aerodrome fully closed. This post outlines the effect on VATSIM operations.

General

• No Doncaster ATC Service (Tower or Approach) shall be provided by controllers on the network.
• All Doncaster airspace (ATZ/CTR/CTA) shall be deactivated and revert to Class G.
• All procedures relating to Doncaster in VATSIM UK documentation are revoked.

LAG North / MPC Controllers

• Doncaster will no longer be covered top-down by any controller.
• Any outbounds that call on the ground should be instructed to depart on Unicom and may then receive a service/joining clearance once airborne.
• Any inbounds should be cleared to leave controlled airspace at an appropriate point, and UK FIS may be provided outside. The service should be terminated and the aircraft instructed to monitor Unicom prior to landing.
• All standing agreements relating to Doncaster (EGCN) are cancelled, and any traffic will be subject to individual coordination.

 

Further Notes

We recognise that the judicial review into Doncaster's closure has not yet concluded. However, while this may halt the removal of equipment and infrastructure, the ATS and airspace is being suspended from this point. Any new operator would therefore need to restart operations at a later date.

Update (03/12/2022) - the application for a judicial review was denied. Doncaster airspace is now NOTAM'ed as deactivated, pending the outcome of an Airspace Change Proposal to permanently remove Doncaster (and its airspace) from the AIP.