The petition of residents of the United Kingdom,
Declares that Doncaster-Sheffield Airport is incredibly important to the economy and wellbeing of the City of Doncaster, and should not be closed down; further that the owners, Peel Holdings, have indicated their intention to close the airport on the basis that they say it is not commercially viable; notes that the airport provides employment for some 800 people and brings in valuable trade and business to Doncaster; and further that it would be a real setback to the levelling up of our City for the airport to be closed.
The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Government to take all necessary steps to keep Doncaster-Sheffield airport open and safeguard the employment of all those who work in or around the airport.
And the petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Nick Fletcher, Official Report, 18 July 2022; Vol. 718, c. 814.]
[P002757]
Observations from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Robert Courts):
I recognise that Doncaster Sheffield Airport’s review into the future of the airport will be concerning for passengers and those who work at the airport. The Government are in close contact with the airport to understand its plans.
I met with the Peel Group and the airport on 21 July, and strongly expressed the Government’s clear view that, whatever the outcome of the review, it leads to a viable, thriving aviation future for the airport. I urged Peel Group to get around the table with interested parties to find a way to preserve the future of the airfield, and to allow sufficient time for solutions to emerge.
I am pleased that Peel Group and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority are now working closely together to consider options through their working group. I have jointly signed a letter to Peel Group with Mayor Coppard, Ros Jones the Mayor of Doncaster and local MPs calling for the extension of the review period, which has now been extended until 16 September, and for them to outline the options they are willing to explore for the future of the airport.
As set out in our 10-year strategic framework for aviation, Flightpath to the Future, the UK Government are committed to working with the aviation sector and local stakeholders. We also recognise the importance of our existing comprehensive aviation infrastructure across the UK. Regional airports are key in serving our local communities, supporting thousands of jobs in the regions and act as a key gateway to international opportunities. That is why during the pandemic we supported them through our £161 million Airports and Ground Operators Support Scheme. We will continue to bring forward our plans to level up and ensure the whole of the UK has the connections people need.
The UK aviation market operates predominately in the private sector. Airports invest in their infrastructure to attract passengers and airlines, while airlines are well placed to deliver services to their customers by responding to demand for different routes.
This will be a commercial decision for the owners of the airport in discussion with local stakeholders, although we hope they conclude that there is a viable aviation future for the airport.
Peel Group has confirmed that it wants to make best use of the site and that it is still open to the continuation of aviation activities on the site.