Union's concern for future of Doncaster Sheffield airport

New research, commissioned by Unite the union, has revealed securing the future of the airport is crucial to the economic wellbeing of the regional economy could take ‘decades to recover’ if nothing is done.

The airport generates £62 million a year for the Yorkshire economy and supports about 1,000 jobs. Development plans are anticipated to create 73,000 new jobs and provide £3.2 billion to the regional economy by 2048.

The union is warning that without ‘urgent action’ by central government to stabilise the aviation sector, jobs dependent on DSA, including crew, ground staff, engineers and associated retail, transport and other roles, could be lost.

Unite has said it has produced a strategy of how the Government should intervene across the entire aviation sector, including airlines and airports, to protect the jobs and conditions of workers.

Any loans would come with strict strings attached regarding ‘executive pay, corporate governance’ and requiring ‘strict environmental standards’ to be adopted to radically improve the industry’s carbon footprint.

The blueprint also recognises that in order to secure their future, airports of the size of Doncaster Sheffield may need a ‘different ownership model’ in order to push on, with ‘public ownership or a public private partnership’ being an alternative.

Karl Stephenson, Unite regional officer, said: "Airports are hives of economic activity. Doncaster Sheffield Airport alone pumps £62m into the regional economy, supporting the jobs and livelihoods of scores of workers, from air crew to taxi drivers to shop staff.

"Overnight, airports were effectively shut down by the government to protect the public's health, but we are now pleading with ministers to protect our area's long-term economic security.

"We are not asking for a giveaway, but for loans and we have support for this from across the political spectrum.

"But the clock is ticking. It is more than two months since the Chancellor promised a support package would be forthcoming for aviation, however he has yet to deliver. The communities that rely on Doncaster Sheffield airport for jobs and prosperity cannot wait much longer.”