Doncaster Central MP 'confident' a new operator for the city's airport will be announced this autumn
Doncaster Sheffield Airport shut down almost two years ago
Doncaster Central's Labour MP tells us she's 'confident' a new operator for the city's airport will be announced 'this autumn'.
Back in March - Doncaster Council agreed a 125-year lease with DSA's site owners - the Peel Group - & originally hoped to announce a new partnership in the spring.
However, Sally Jameson expects the new operator to be confirmed in the coming months - although she still thinks it'll be a while before we see planes back in Doncaster's skies:
"We're waiting for the operator announcement now, which should be in the autumn, so not too long now, and then we'll begin getting the airport open again.
"I think this is absolutely critical for Doncaster.
"Once a new operator is announced, there will be lots of things to do around getting the airlines back in.
"Then, they've got to be able to advertise their holidays, so I don't think it'll be as simple as passenger flights taking off straight away, but hopefully it won't be too long until we see flights taking off and landing in Doncaster again.
"I think this could be a really pivotal time for the city.
"We could end up attracting a lot of investment into Doncaster from the airport re-opening.
"The airport could become a centre of excellence really for the future of aviation and engineering.
"There's some really exciting companies around Doncaster that could feed into the airport re-opening.
"So, it's about getting our airport re-open, but then using it as a way to really promote Doncaster and create a high-skilled, high-wage economy that we want here."
Doncaster Sheffield Airport closed in 2022 after its owners claimed it was no longer 'commercially viable'.