Doncaster East & Isle of Axholme MP: DSA re-opening will persuade people to stay in South Yorkshire
Lee Pitcher believes a fully functioning airport will be worth 'billions' to the local economy
The MP for Doncaster East & the Isle of Axholme is 'optimistic' the re-opening of the city's airport will persuade many of 'the brightest young professionals' to build their lives in South Yorkshire.
Plans are in place to get Doncaster Sheffield Airport back up & running next year - following its closure in 2022 - with Munich Airport International announced as its new operator in February.
Labour's Lee Pitcher expects the potential re-opening of DSA to create over 10 thousand new jobs - both directly & indirectly - whilst bolstering South Yorkshire's local economy by 'billions' of pounds:
"It's about young pilots of the future, it's about air staff of the future, and ground staff of the future.
"There's some great jobs in manufacturing, so we can create an economic hub, and a thriving local economy with loads of highly skilled jobs and apprenticeships
"This will all come once the airport is re-open.
"It is so crucial that we retain local talent.
"Ultimately, it will help South Yorkshire thrive, because you've got really great young adults in the area - and their heart is in the area from growing up here.
"As it stands at the moment, a re-opened airport should create around 5,000 direct jobs, and another 6,500 indirect jobs from those kinds of services that support the running of the airport.
"It'll add about 5 billion pounds to our local economy.
"I had a meeting at DSA last week, and we've got a lot of businesses who want to come and work from the airport."
Doncaster Sheffield Airport closed in 2022 when its former operator - the Peel Group - said the site was no longer 'commercially viable'.
Doncaster Council agreed a 125-year-lease on the former DSA site a year ago - which was deemed to be the first stage in re-opening it.