Operations at Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) in South Yorkshire (UK), will begin to “wind down” from 31 October, the airport’s owner Peel Group has announced.

The airport is set to close permanently by the end of the year and will impact at least 800 direct and 2,700 indirect jobs.  This follows the surprise announcement by Wizz Air in June that it would curtail operations (see BTN 29 August www.btnews.co.uk/article/19537). The airline plans to transfer its remaining routes in one go to Leeds Bradford Airport on Monday 31 October. Customers already booked can take a refund or have credit with the airline.

Robert Hough, Chairman of Peel Airports Group, said: "We recognise that this will come as a great disappointment to many. The intractable problem remains the fundamental and insufficient lack of current or prospective revenue streams, together with the airport’s high operating costs”.

Peel Group added that despite active efforts to engage with local and national political stakeholders, none of these discussions have delivered “any tangible results that have changed the board of DSA or Peel’s clear view that the airport is and will remain unviable”.

The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and Doncaster Council have offered to cover the airport’s operating losses for up the 13 months while a buyer is found.  It has the support of the Prime Minister.

The Peel Group has turned the offer down, saying it cannot ‘responsibly accept public money’ – despite the massive economic benefits keeping the airport open has to the region.

Sarah Barnes, Organiser, GMB trade union, said: “Doncaster Sheffield Airport is absolutely vital to the South Yorkshire economy, providing hundreds of direct and supply chain jobs as well as an international transport hub.

“It’s hard to think of a better use of public money than keeping it open until a buyer can be found.

“Peel Group’s decision to close, despite the offer of help, is a narrow-minded failure by fat cat bosses to see the big picture”.

“The airport’s closure will be a devastating blow to workers, their families and the wider community”.

https://flydsa.co.uk

www.peel.co.uk