On the 21st March, Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones announced a 125 year lease agreement for Doncaster airport.
This will open the airport again for the first time since November 2022 when it ceased operations.
Mark Chadwick, owner of Stadium Garage Ltd, started the ‘Save Doncaster Airport’ campaign in June 2022. He says “Personally I set-up the group and I probably have 70 hours a week invested in running the campaign with over £100 a month invested.”
“I set up the group because there was no information available as to why Doncaster Airport was closing and what people were doing to help stop the closure.”
A procurement process is ongoing with Doncaster Council and Mark says there should be a deal by the end of Spring.
The lease agreement in March will now enable two potential operators to put business plans in place and submit them to Doncaster Council so they can make their decision.
Mark says “both are international airport operators with all the requirements, experience, contacts, airlines, licence and qualifications to operate an airport with funds for further investment when needed.”
However, he shares concerns over what this could mean for the people of Doncaster. He added “I don’t like big businesses that don’t look after the local community.
“I see loads of people who have been overcharged or have been ripped off by big businesses.”
Mark says: “It’s public money and with that comes scrutiny from certain people. They will have ensured that the lease is water tight to avoid any of this scrutiny.”
Sharing his disappointment over the lack of support towards the airport he added: “It’s a shame that we have not had a full cross party support for the airport from all political parties and MPs. This may have been so much easier and may have been quicker if they had.”
MP for Don Valley, Nick Fletcher, denied an interview request but openly supports the re-opening of the airport.
For all the latest updates, visit the Save Doncaster Sheffield Airport Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/save.our.dsa/