Doncaster Airport: Mayor Warns of No Blank Cheque

South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard has warned there will be no "blank cheque" to pay for the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA), emphasising the need to protect public money.

DSA closed in 2022 after owners Peel Group declared the airport unviable. City of Doncaster Council has since formed an arms-length company, supported by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), to reopen the site.

Safeguards for taxpayers

Speaking at the SYMCA board on Tuesday, Coppard said: "We absolutely have to protect taxpayers' money as well as doing everything we can to reopen DSA and expanding our gateway as a world-leading sustainable aviation hub."

The mayor was questioned by a member of the public who raised concerns about September being a critical time for the airport plan. They asked whether appropriate protections were in place for taxpayers and sought clarification on how much public money would be recoverable if the reopening did not go ahead.

Coppard responded: "We want to see that progress but public funding, as people would expect, has to be protected and the right safeguards must be in place."

Ongoing lease negotiations

SYMCA and City of Doncaster Council are involved in ongoing negotiations with landowner and former operator Peel. Most aspects of the lease variations have been agreed, with the turnover rent clause remaining under active discussion.

Coppard said: "Whilst I want to see swift progress on this lease negotiation, it has to be the right deal."

Work on the site has continued during the negotiations. The airport is expected to reopen in spring next year.

Worker protections

Dave Pike from the regional Trades Union Congress asked what measures were being taken to ensure contracts with companies involved with the airport would include protection for workers' pay and conditions, health and safety and trade union recognition.

Coppard said equality questions were included in the procurement process. While he could not make promises on behalf of operators Fly Doncaster, he said the operators shared those values.