Government is urged: ‘Save the airport at all costs’

Airport workers from the GMB’s North East, Humber and Yorkshire branch protested outside Parliament as they handed over a petition with 100,000 signatures to save the airport.

DSA operators, Peel Group, announced that the airport is set to “wind down” aviation activity on October 31, with closure expected in early November because no “potential investors were found” within its consultation period, which began in August.

South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard and Doncaster mayor Ros Jones had pledged to fund Peel’s operating losses for the next 12 months so that a consortium — made up of three private sector investors — could negotiate  potential takeover of the airport.

GMB workers and South Yorkshire MPs, including Ed Miliband, Stephanie Peacock and Louise Haigh, handed in the petition to plead for the government support to counter Peel’s decision to close DSA.

In her very first PMQs in September, new prime minister Liz Truss said she would do “all she could” to help protect DSA from closure.

GMB organiser Sarah Barnes said it made no sense for Peel to turn down offers of funding.

“Whatever the motivation is, it’s certainly not in the interests of the people of South Yorkshire,” she said.

“We need the Department of Transport to step in and make some extra cash available until the right buyer is found.

“The people of South Yorkshire deserve an international transport hub.”

Barnsley East MP Ms Peacock criticised transport secretary Anne-Marie Trevelyan for not “upholding” the government’s promise to save DSA.

Miss Peacock said: “The PM committed to protecting the airport, yet the transport secretary won’t use her powers to uphold this promise, refusing today to even meet local leaders.”

Mr Miliband said the petition’s large support showed “the strength of feeling on the matter” but added responses from the transport secretary during a session of Parliament were simply “not good enough”.

He added: “We know there are credible investors.

“Doncaster Council and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s offer to cover the airport’s losses for the next year while a deal is worked out is still on the table.

“The government cannot wash its hands of its responsibility.

“We will not let them do so.”

Mrs Trevelyan said she was “disappointed” by Peel’s decision to close operations at DSA but she did not commit to any form of government intervention.

“We recognise this will be difficult news for those who use the airport as well as businesses and people working at the airport,” she said.

“I have held meetings with local leaders and Peel to find a solution which will benefit local people and the region's economy.”