Doncaster Sheffield Airport: South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard looking for new investors to take over

The head of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has previously pledged to help secure the future of the airport.

He accused owners Peel Group of trying to “run down the clock” and undermine confidence in its future.

In July, Peel began a review into the airport, claiming it was no longer commercially viable.

The airport, like the whole travel sector, was badly hit by the disruption caused by the pandemic, and then WizzAir announced it was leaving DSA.

The mayoral authority says there has been no clarity from Peel about their intentions for the site, so the mayor and local council leaders have decided to explore all market options.

Mayor Coppard said: “Since Peel announced the review into DSA our biggest fear has been that they are running down the clock while undermining confidence in the airport.

“Since then, our fears over their motives have seemingly been confirmed time and again. Peel have given us no clarity over their intentions while expecting us to come up with ideas for ways forward.

“A few weeks is far too short to develop meaningful plans and Peel are wasting valuable time.

‘We promised to explore all options to keep DSA open’

“So enough is enough, we have decided to take matters into our own hands and undertake a search for potential investors or operators.

“We promised to explore all options to keep DSA open and that is what we are doing.”

He added: “Earlier this week, Peel Group announced a short extension to the initial review period. The MCA and local leaders have asked for that period to be extended to the end of the year.”

The mayor and said he believes that a thriving, commercially-led Doncaster Sheffield Airport is a “central, vital part of the economic strategy for Gateway East, Doncaster and South Yorkshire, and I am committed to working with both private and public sector partners to achieve that aim.

“Under my leadership, South Yorkshire is a region which welcomes those individuals, organisations and companies who wish to unlock innovation, grow jobs and create wealth.

“However, potential returns from commercial investment are matched by both risks and responsibilities. Those responsibilities include a duty to invest, to take risks, to bear losses and to act with a duty of care to employees and the wider community of which they are a part.

“As South Yorkshire’s Mayor, I expect companies with whom we are working in partnership to act as responsible stakeholders in our community.

“In my view, announcing a review of DSA with less than 24 hours’ notice, creating an artificially short timetable for that review, remaining unclear about future intentions for DSA and wilfully draining the confidence of employees and investors, is not the behaviour of a responsible partner.”

He added: “I am joined in that opinion by Doncaster Council, Doncaster’s local MPs, the Minister for Aviation, the front runner to be our next Prime Minister and thousands upon thousands of people from across the communities of South Yorkshire and beyond.”

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