Doncaster Sheffield Airport set to close as flights begin "winding down"

Doncaster Sheffield Airport will begin "winding down" flights from next month as it's set to close, according to bosses.

The regional airport will close indefinitely, potentially leading to the loss of 800 jobs with 2,700 more also likely to be affected. According to Peel Group - which owns the airport - a strategic review found that the airport was "not viable due to its lack of adequate forward revenues and high operating costs".

It has not yet been announced when the airport would officially close, however, it will be "winding down" flight from October 31. The decision to the shut down the airport reportedly came after it was offered public money to continue running until next year, the Mirror reports.

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Robert Hough, chairman of Peel Airports Group, said: "We recognise that this will come as a great disappointment to many. The intractable problem remains the fundamental and insufficient lack of current or prospective revenue streams, together with the airport's high operating costs.

"Our employees have always been DSA's greatest asset, and we are grateful to them all, past and present, for their dedication and diligence over the years. The immediate priority remains to continue engaging closely with them over the next few weeks."

One of the key factors that damaged the company's profits was the coronavirus pandemic, which saw a drop in passengers, as well as the departure of operator Wizz Air. In fact, the only carrier based at the airport currently is TUI.

South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said: "I’m devastated and angry about the impact it will have on our communities. Most importantly, there are hundreds of people across Doncaster