Final Doncaster Sheffield Airport to land this week as owner presses ahead with closure

Peel Group said it is shutting the airport, which employs about 800 people, due to “a fundamental lack of financial viability” and it has begun winding down operations.

Local leaders have been fighting to save Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) from closure. They have identified a number of investors who are interested in a takeover and offered £7m to underwrite the airport’s losses so it can remain open for up to two years.

But Peel Group has refused, claiming no one has come forward with a credible offer, and promised to develop “a forward-thinking strategy” for the site.

The final outbound flight took off at 10.55pm last Saturday, for Katowice in Poland, and the last arrival, from Hurghada in Egypt, is due to touch down at 9.15pm this Friday.

The terminal is then due to close to passengers at 7am the following day.

Sarah Barnes, GMB Organiser, said: “Doncaster is one of the finest airports in the country. Workers love it, passengers love it and it’s vital for the south Yorkshire economy.

“Yet despite public cash being made available to keep it open, the Peel Group seem determined to close it, knock it down for housing and make as much money as possible, with no thought for the community.

“When the final flight leaves on Bonfire Night, hundreds if not thousands of people will see their future go up in smoke.”

Peel Group said it has invested more than £250m in DSA over the last 25 years and “pursued all viable commercial aviation opportunities”.

It said DSA has never made any profit due a passenger shortage, which was exacerbated by Wizz Air’s decision to stop running flights from the airport in June and the pandemic.