A new airport.... South Yorkshire Airport City?

Doncaster Sheffield Airport Strategic Review Announcement​

Forums4airports discusses the latest press release from Doncaster Sheffield airport where the airport questions the future of the airport. The owners of the airport, the Peel Group have announced they are looking at their options as the group has decided the airport is no longer viable as an operational airport. Here's the press release:

"The Board of Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) has begun a review of strategic options for the Airport. This review follows lengthy deliberations by the Board of DSA which has reluctantly concluded that aviation activity on the site may no longer be commercially viable.

DSA’s owner, the Peel Group, as the Airport’s principal funder, has reviewed the conclusions of the Board of DSA and commissioned external independent advice in order to evaluate and test the conclusions drawn, which concurs with the Board’s initial findings.

Since the Peel Group acquired the Airport site in 1999 and converted it into an international commercial airport, which opened in 2005, significant amounts have been invested in the terminal, the airfield and its operations, both in relation to the original conversion and subsequently to improve the facilities and infrastructure on offer to create an award winning airport.

However, despite growth in passenger numbers, DSA has never achieved the critical mass required to become profitable and this fundamental issue of a shortfall in passenger numbers is exacerbated by the announcement on 10 June 2022 of the unilateral withdrawal of the Wizz Air based aircraft, leaving the Airport with only one base carrier, namely TUI.

This challenge has been increased by other changes in the aviation market, the well-publicised impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and increasingly important environmental considerations. It has therefore been concluded that aviation activity may no longer be the use for the site which delivers the maximum economic and environmental benefit to the region. Against this backdrop, DSA and the Peel Group, will initiate a consultation and engagement programme with stakeholders on the future of the site and how best to maximise and capitalise on future economic growth opportunities for Doncaster and the wider Sheffield City Region.

The wider Peel Group is already delivering significant development and business opportunities on its adjoining GatewayEast development including the recent deal for over 400,000 sq ft logistics and advanced manufacturing development on site, creating hundreds of new jobs and delivering further economic investment in the region.

Robert Hough, Chairman of Peel Airports Group, which includes Doncaster Sheffield Airport, said: “It is a critical time for aviation globally. Despite pandemic related travel restrictions slowly drawing to a close, we are still facing ongoing obstacles and dynamic long-term threats to the future of the aviation industry. The actions by Wizz to sacrifice its base at Doncaster to shore up its business opportunities at other bases in the South of England are a significant blow for the Airport.

Now is the right time to review how DSA can best create future growth opportunities for Doncaster and for South Yorkshire. The Peel Group remains committed to delivering economic growth, job opportunities and prosperity for Doncaster and the wider region.”

DSA and the Peel Group pride themselves on being forward-thinking whilst prioritising the welfare of staff and customers alike. As such, no further public comments will be made whilst they undertake this engagement period with all stakeholders.
During the Strategic Review, the Airport will operate as normal. Therefore passengers who are due to travel to the airport, please arrive and check in as normal. If there are any disruptions with your flight, you will be contacted by your airline in good time.
For all press enquiries, please contact Charlotte Leach at [email protected]."

"Not great news for DSA or the region"

Should the government or local council foot the bill and provide a financial subsidy to keep the airport open, thoughts...?

 

Well from what I understand its business as usual at LBA and there will be no enforcement and will go to a judicial review, they will have to look elsewhere for business to poach - as posted previously it will take at least 12 months from start up for any based airline operation

 

‘create a world leading sustainable aviation hub at Gateway East’

this is what i cannot understand.
it is quoted all the time, but no one as seemed to show the slightest interest in moving there.
who do they think is going to set up at DSA?
they must have someone in mind,

Don’t know. Maybe they’ve got some big names signed up to MOUs and they can’t announce anything until the funding is assured. Or maybe they just hope it’ll happen with the right ‘vision’ and ‘belief in the potential of Doncaster and South Yorkshire’. See also airline interest, freight interest etc etc.. Humberside haven’t exactly covered themselves in glory through all this when they apparently rebuffed TUI with a 2 aircraft base proposal but that’s another story.

 

Well from what I understand its business as usual at LBA and there will be no enforcement and will go to a judicial review, they will have to look elsewhere for business to poach - as posted previously it will take at least 12 months from start up for any based airline operation

I’m sure LBA will have a contingency plan in place whatever the outcome…. The commercial cost to jet 2 to move lock stock and barrel to DSA would be significant given their model to do everything in house and would also come with a significant commercial risk given the history of DSA….Add to that if they did move it would simply expedite the move by another operator to take their place and look to pick up their established market at LBA….

 

I’m sure LBA will have a contingency plan in place whatever the outcome…. The commercial cost to jet 2 to move lock stock and barrel to DSA would be significant given their model to do everything in house and would also come with a significant commercial risk given the history of DSA….Add to that if they did move it would simply expedite the move by another operator to take their place and look to pick up their established market at LBA….

No way would they move lock, stock and barrell to DSA. Not a chance. It would cost an absolute fortune and they'd lose most of their trained staff in the process. They're more likely to just move some capacity to MAN until the situation at Leeds is resolved.
Assuming LBA seek a judicial review, I doubt anything will change until it's done and a final outcome known. If that goes against LBA then I'm sure there'll be an immediate planning submission.

 

No way would they move lock, stock and barrell to DSA. Not a chance. It would cost an absolute fortune and they'd lose most of their trained staff in the process. They're more likely to just move some capacity to MAN until the situation at Leeds is resolved.
Assuming LBA seek a judicial review, I doubt anything will change until it's done and a final outcome known. If that goes against LBA then I'm sure there'll be an immediate planning submission.

Completely agree - whilst Jet2 might fill a couple of based aircraft, there are just not the passengers in that area to sustain a significant base. Traditionally the leakage in the West Yorks. catchment area is to Manchester and unlikely to transfer from there to elsewhere.

 

Completely agree - whilst Jet2 might fill a couple of based aircraft, there are just not the passengers in that area to sustain a significant base. Traditionally the leakage in the West Yorks. catchment area is to Manchester and unlikely to transfer from there to elsewhere.

I think at the moment it’s not appropriate to rule anything out completely. My opinion is that Jet2 and LBA will work something out with the authorities, but there are examples elsewhere of slot restrictions due night curfews and so the slots just disappear and this would prevent Jet2 or any other operator from owning slots that result in arrivals out of hours. This I’m afraid would result in Jet2 moving aircraft from LBA to elsewhere. Obviously I hope it doesn’t come to that for the airports and Jet2s sake.

Coppard is being very positive now which suggests to me that it is a foregone conclusion that the board will approve in September, maybe im being naive but given how he’s been careful in statements more recently surely there’s something tangible on the pipeline for him to be confident enough to push the button? It can’t just be a local pride/politics thing can it? I do know that they’ve been number crunching for a long time to try to get it to ‘fit’ though, but it would be incredibly reckless to lend this money (because it is a loan) on the build it and they will come principle.

 

I understand your point - but I only thing I can think of I my option who is left to start a significant UK based passenger operation out of DSA “TUI (ok but the airline is currently shrinking is size a lot of the long hall program has been reduced) and are using partner airlines a lot now for holidays.

JET2 as other posters stated i can’t see them going in at all due to overlap between LBA & EMA

RYAINAIR has stated they are not interested

EASYJET? just opening a based operation in Newcastle and increased at LBA using W operations and are very heavily entrenched at MAN & LPL so I can’t see them basing so who left maybe a few W inbound from maybe Turkey Spain etc but this will no way sustain this airport, As said many times by various posters previously there is no need for another commercial airport this side of Pennines there will not be enough business to sustain, does not matter how many signatures, protests, MAN will always be the dominate airport in the north and will never change.

 

Coppard is, in conjunction with Yorkshire Post, to hold a live Q&A on the reopening of DSA next Wednesday which he is advertising as an opportunity to discuss the work ‘they’ve’ done and continue to do to reopen DSA and ‘create a world leading sustainable aviation hub at Gateway East’. Proof if any were needed that he and the board is going to say yes on 9th September.

What with the CLEUD findings this could become quite an interesting development for LBA, particularly as Jet2 will be planning on what they’re going to do if the findings are enforced.

Perhaps the issues with LBA and the clown-fest at LCC has convinced him that DSA can eat into LBA's market? In fact I wouldn't entirely surprise me if there had been some internal conversations within the Labour Party and the two councils about stifling growth at LBA to allow the case for DSA to reopen. It sounds far fetched, but watching the cluster-you-know-what of the central government right now nothing would shock me any more.

Of course most people on here understand the reality of the situation. Getting in the way of growth at LBA to gain the Leeds West moaner vote will more likely drive the business west of the Pennines. And DSA still stands to be a huge money pit to gain the support of a few holiday makers who don't want to travel outside of South Yorkshire to fly. None of it makes sense but I'm sure MAG are quietly watching with interest.

 

I understand your point - but I only thing I can think of I my option who is left to start a significant UK based passenger operation out of DSA “TUI (ok but the airline is currently shrinking is size a lot of the long hall program has been reduced) and are using partner airlines a lot now for holidays.

JET2 as other posters stated i can’t see them going in at all due to overlap between LBA & EMA

RYAINAIR has stated they are not interested

EASYJET? just opening a based operation in Newcastle and increased at LBA using W operations and are very heavily entrenched at MAN & LPL so I can’t see them basing so who left maybe a few W inbound from maybe Turkey Spain etc but this will no way sustain this airport, As said many times by various posters previously there is no need for another commercial airport this side of Pennines there will not be enough business to sustain, does not matter how many signatures, protests, MAN will always be the dominate airport in the north and will never change.

I know and I agree I’m just trying to rationalise a positive decision. I really want to believe that if they do reopen it that it’ll work out well given the impact it will have on HUY and regional commercial aviation in general, but I just cannot fathom how they can say yes to the full project in the absence of any serious backing by airlines and associated businesses. You can’t build a strategy on hope and Coppard and the SYMCA board cannot vote yes on that basis either. I’ve listened to the podcast and Chadwick took a bit of time up to give a kicking to the ‘dissenters’, something Coppard seemed to enjoy doing too. Didn’t seem handled very professionally.

I don’t think LCC want to damage LBA. I think some regional leaders and MPs can’t understand why LBA grew over DSA, in fact I know of one that I challenged directly and he accused me of being an LBA employee! Happily he’s far removed from politics now and faded back into obscurity. But if that’s the level of knowledge that is driving this (and there aren’t some major backers waiting in the wings) then it will fail and will be a national embarrassment.

I’m certain Jet2 will be watching very closely though, we can’t rule anything out at the minute.

 

No way would they move lock, stock and barrell to DSA. Not a chance. It would cost an absolute fortune and they'd lose most of their trained staff in the process. They're more likely to just move some capacity to MAN until the situation at Leeds is resolved.
Assuming LBA seek a judicial review, I doubt anything will change until it's done and a final outcome known. If that goes against LBA then I'm sure there'll be an immediate planning submission.

I know and I agree I’m just trying to rationalise a positive decision. I really want to believe that if they do reopen it that it’ll work out well given the impact it will have on HUY and regional commercial aviation in general, but I just cannot fathom how they can say yes to the full project in the absence of any serious backing by airlines and associated businesses. You can’t build a strategy on hope and Coppard and the SYMCA board cannot vote yes on that basis either. I’ve listened to the podcast and Chadwick took a bit of time up to give a kicking to the ‘dissenters’, something Coppard seemed to enjoy doing too. Didn’t seem handled very professionally.

I don’t think LCC want to damage LBA. I think some regional leaders and MPs can’t understand why LBA grew over DSA, in fact I know of one that I challenged directly and he accused me of being an LBA employee! Happily he’s far removed from politics now and faded back into obscurity. But if that’s the level of knowledge that is driving this (and there aren’t some major backers waiting in the wings) then it will fail and will be a national embarrassment.

I’m certain Jet2 will be watching very closely though, we can’t rule anything out at the minute.

The other issue is that any use of public funds to “incentivise” jet 2 or anyone else to even move a few aircraft let alone a whole operation would leave the door open to a significant legal challenge by LBA. It’s a different matter when private investment is used but in this case if public money is used which significantly damages a private business through unfair competition expect LBA to lawyer up and stop DSA in its tracks whilst the issue is resolved…..As to jet2 given their scale and entrenchment at LBA wouldn’t you expect them to have a level of priority by LBA over slots?
As to Coppard I still believe he is trying to sort the numbers….Remember he kicked out the external consultants recently and they are still hiding the business case from public security…I suspect he has been forced into the corner by both DMBC and central gov and has very little choice to do anything else but approve the loan on some very subjective numbers around a lose connection with the gateway development and more absolute nonsense around a “sustainable” aviation centre to try and placate the green lobby and Milliband….

 

The other issue is that any use of public funds to “incentivise” jet 2 or anyone else to even move a few aircraft let alone a whole operation would leave the door open to a significant legal challenge by LBA. It’s a different matter when private investment is used but in this case if public money is used which significantly damages a private business through unfair competition expect LBA to lawyer up and stop DSA in its tracks whilst the issue is resolved…..As to jet2 given their scale and entrenchment at LBA wouldn’t you expect them to have a level of priority by LBA over slots?
As to Coppard I still believe he is trying to sort the numbers….Remember he kicked out the external consultants recently and they are still hiding the business case from public security…I suspect he has been forced into the corner by both DMBC and central gov and has very little choice to do anything else but approve the loan on some very subjective numbers around a lose connection with the gateway development and more absolute nonsense around a “sustainable” aviation centre to try and placate the green lobby and Milliband….

That’s something I want confirmation on. If they’ve kicked out all external commercial consultants it suggests a flawed business plan and therefore they cannot in good faith vote in favour of Gainshare being invested.

Anyway, clearly big plans down at EMA

'Lesser seen side' of East Mids Airport set to create 20,000 new jobs

East Midlands Airport 'comes alive' at night with an operation that could grow the region's economy by billions

www.nottinghampost.com

 

@GolfFox i have asked someone i Know in public sector about whether or not SYMCA are obliged to release information to the public ahead of a decision on Gainshare. The answer is no, there is no legal obligation to do so. The decision can be made with scant public engagement on behalf of the public and the decision is ultimately Coppards to make.

So I think it’s pretty safe to say that despite him recently saying it’s ’not a foregone conclusion’ (he has to say that, be against the rules to say otherwise) it actually is and will be given the go ahead in September.

 

the yorkshire post will be holding an interactive Q&A with Mayor Oliver Coppard on the plans on Wednesday (27 August) between 2pm and 3pm.
i hope they only take questions from people in south yorkshire

OC has faced questions about the timescale of the decision from the Doncaster Chamber of Commerce, with chief executive Dan Fell saying: “The risks of prolonged delay and indecision are far greater than the risks of proceeding at pace.”
However, Mr Coppard said: “I think when the Chamber sees some of the work we’ve done and some of the things we’ve both found out … they will understand why we’ve taken that step.”

interesting?

 

the yorkshire post will be holding an interactive Q&A with Mayor Oliver Coppard on the plans on Wednesday (27 August) between 2pm and 3pm.
i hope they only take questions from people in south yorkshire

OC has faced questions about the timescale of the decision from the Doncaster Chamber of Commerce, with chief executive Dan Fell saying: “The risks of prolonged delay and indecision are far greater than the risks of proceeding at pace.”
However, Mr Coppard said: “I think when the Chamber sees some of the work we’ve done and some of the things we’ve both found out … they will understand why we’ve taken that step.”

interesting?

Old news, Coppard has brought himself back in line with the DSA fanatics and is using positive language again. Claims it would be ‘illegal’ for him to prejudge the decision but that’s exactly what he is doing with his interview on the mechanics podcast a case in point.

The Q&A isn’t being done to answer questions in an open and honest forum, it’s to quash the ‘negative’ and sell the virtues of reopening. I would be very surprised if there was any frank dialogue about ‘some of the things we’ve both found out’ because these things are probably not going to inspire confidence in the scheme.

Since that statement SYMCA appear to have taken the assurance process in-house. It could be that they feel they have enough information now to make a case for a positive decision, but it could also signal that the external scrutiny team perhaps couldn’t fit the square peg in the round hole and some more public sector creative licence is required.

A reopened Doncaster Sheffield Airport will not operate passenger flights until 2028 if the £150m project gets the green light next month, South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard has revealed.

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Doncaster Council, which is hoping to run the airport through a council-owned company if Mr Coppard releases its share of devolution funding for the project, has repeatedly previously said it wants to reopen the airport from spring 2026.
But in a speech to business leaders in Doncaster on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Coppard revealed a new timeframe for the potential reopening of the commercial element of the airport, which was closed by previous owners Peel in 2022 following years of running at a loss.

Oliver Coppard made the announcement in a speech to business leaders in Doncaster.

“We would be unlikely to see commercial passenger flights into or out of DSA before 2028, albeit we will of course aim for that to happen sooner.”


Mr Coppard said “there will be things happening sooner”, with freight and potential private flights “easier” to arrange.
A final decision on releasing funds for the project had originally been due in February this year but was delayed by Mr Coppard to seek independent advice over concerns that backing the scheme carried a “significant risk” to public money.



Mr Coppard said while he has been criticised for postponing a decision by the MayoralCombined Authority board made up of himself and other South Yorkshire political leaders, further work was necessary following the failure to find a private operator to take the airport on.


“That material change has required us to undertake a new and deeper level of analysis, to satisfy the very significant demands of using public funding for a project of this nature and this scale,” he said.
“I have made, and will make, no apology for that approach; for doing the proper due diligence when being asked to potentially spend in excess of £150 million of public money, to make real a project that has the potential to be either a huge economic driver, or a significant drain on public funds.”

Mr Coppard said almost 1,000 pages of “investment grade due diligence” have been done on the scheme and also revealed the potential economic benefits of the reopened airport are “lower than we initially understood”.



Doncaster Council’s business plan has not been made public but the authority has previously said it shows the scheme will act as a catalyst for wider regeneration around the site involving new homes and employment land and forecasted that 5,000 direct jobs could be created with a potential economic benefit of £9 for every £1 spent.
It also hopes to have up to five airlines operating from DSA.
But Mr Coppard said: “We know the commercial aviation and passenger forecasts have the potential to make or break this project, and that at the lower end of those forecasts do have the potential to undermine the viability of DSA.
“But we also know now that the wider South Yorkshire Airport City project will not, cannot, solely be focused on providing low-cost holiday flights.



“There is no future for a regional airport in South Yorkshire with a business model solely concerned with commercial passenger flights.
“We now know that if we are able to realise our ambitions of a world leading sustainable aviation hub at Gateway East, the funds from business rate retention would offset a huge proportion of the costs of reopening DSA.
“We now know that the cost-benefit ratio of reopening DSA may be lower than we initially understood, but with the right conditions the project could still provide a strong economic and social benefit to South Yorkshire, and a decent return to taxpayers over the long-term.”
Mr Coppard insisted he is committed to the principle of saving DSA and has put years of work alongside partners into making it happen and disagreed with those who say it should remain closed. But he added a final decision on whether it will reopen is still yet to be made.



“I still cannot say we will be reopening DSA and creating a world leading sustainable aviation hub at Gateway East,” he said.
“There are still challenges for us to overcome.
“There have been and will always be decent people arguing in good faith that we should not reopen DSA. While I disagree, I have never been immune to those arguments.
“So, I cannot prejudge the decision we will be taking as an MCA Board not least because that work is still going on. The money we have to spend on this project is not – indeed never has been – unlimited.
“But I can say that if we are not able to take a positive decision to fund the reopening of our airport, it will not be for a lack of work, a lack of political will or a lack of analysis and insight.


“What I can promise, is that by the time we take the final decision, we will have done everything we can to take the best possible decision for the future, for all of the communities of South Yorkshire, that I will remain transparent and accountable, and that whatever that final decision, I will be able to stand in front of you and in good faith, hand on heart, say that I have done everything I can to take the right decision on behalf of South Yorkshire, and to save DSA.”
The Mayor’s decision will be announced on September 9, when a meeting of the Mayoral Combined Authority Board will take place.
Following Coppard’s speech, a spokesperson for the City of Doncaster Council said: “Technically DSA is already open again with 2Excel planes back using the runway, but in relation to freight and passenger flights it will be a gradual re-opening.
“There of course remains a number of interdependencies. Once we have the Gainshare decision signed off in early September we can finalise our plans, including progressing with the Airspace and signing-up airlines and freight providers.”

Doncaster Sheffield Airport passenger flights won't start until 2028, Oliver Coppard reveals

A reopened Doncaster Sheffield Airport will not operate passenger flights until 2028 if the £150m project gets the green light next month, South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard has revealed.

www.yorkshirepost.co.uk

So for those interested to discuss @White Heather @rabbitfoot @GolfFox @radar @northsouth @Aviador

 

The Q&A isn’t being done to answer questions in an open and honest forum, it’s to quash the ‘negative’ and sell the virtues of reopening. I would be very surprised if there was any frank dialogue about ‘some of the things we’ve both found out’ because these things are probably not going to inspire confidence in the scheme.

I’ve just read an article in the YP - dated today - in which Mr Coppard seemed to be incredibly frank about passenger flights not starting until 2028, the economic benefits being lower and the fact that the business case can’t just be about low cost holiday flights. That doesn’t seem to be a case of quashing the negatives. I know everyone loves to hate politicians, but it is possible that he’s taken proper independent advice and has conducted a thorough assessment of the costs vs benefits.

 

I’ve just read an article in the YP - dated today - in which Mr Coppard seemed to be incredibly frank about passenger flights not starting until 2028, the economic benefits being lower and the fact that the business case can’t just be about low cost holiday flights. That doesn’t seem to be a case of quashing the negatives. I know everyone loves to hate politicians, but it is possible that he’s taken proper independent advice and has conducted a thorough assessment of the costs vs benefits.

Just posted the article above for all to see. I have to say I admit I was wrong to read into the more positive tones of late. This seems to be the first step in setting expectations at least. I fully expect this won’t go down too well in certain quarters who have questioned delays and the lowering of confidence that they claim would result. It’s the first time Coppard has clearly stated that the ROI ‘isn’t as much as expected’ and seems to be indicating that the airport can’t be a low-cost getaway, presumably because they’ve realised there is no market existing for it.

It is clear though that he wants to say yes, and has taken note of those against the reopening but appears to not agree with their (our?) opinions, though he admits he’s been swayed by those beliefs at times.

Certainly seems to be a man who’s hamstrung by big political promises and is doing all he can to say yes in the knowledge that what the people want isn’t necessarily what the people will get!

 

Hoping this link will work for itv news
ITV news

I’m really suprised this interview, he does seem to state he his not wanting to make the choice on politics. I’m wondering now if maybe they will just push for a GA site?

 

https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2025-08-26/mayor-cannot-say-closed-airport-will-reopen?fbclid=IwY2xjawMaubBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBIQVBKMDhzODRZTFlOQVVhAR4_Fwt4a0I0EnJif1ZXcpUIQzoTwkBbvmm-Gat38bszfGxdPzLv-ypR5jYMWw_aem_qfp_DIx7hav4_fOIWVhRiA

I watched this. OC sounded far from reassuring for the DSA fans. There was a healthy dose of realism. It seemed he was preparing people for what might not be the news they were hoping for.

Personally, I have been saying for the past year that there was zero chance of passenger flights from Spring 2026 even assuming any airlines took the bait. Yet still, the politicians fed the fans of DSA with complete nonsense, repeating the claims it would. Interesting to note thoough how quiet the Doncaster Mayor has been recently now she's re-elected. Keeping her head down?? Aware that her plans are maybe not going the way she intended?

 

‘There is no future for a regional airport in South Yorkshire with a business model solely concerned with commercial passenger flights’

I mean, I can’t disagree with a word of what he said, it’s nothing that hasn’t been batted around this thread for months on end. There may indeed be a future for a Prestwick/Hawarden/Lasham/Cambridge/Kemble type of operation, but whether it would provide a better return for their £150m than Peel's plan for the site…?

The FB group is not taking this well. In particular, they are unhappy with OC for being honest about timelines for passenger operations. Which is a little unfair. They should be angry with the liars who peddled the spring 2026 myth, and the morons in their midst who shouted down any scrap of realism as ‘negativity’.

 

Just posted the article above for all to see. I have to say I admit I was wrong to read into the more positive tones of late. This seems to be the first step in setting expectations at least. I fully expect this won’t go down too well in certain quarters who have questioned delays and the lowering of confidence that they claim would result. It’s the first time Coppard has clearly stated that the ROI ‘isn’t as much as expected’ and seems to be indicating that the airport can’t be a low-cost getaway, presumably because they’ve realised there is no market existing for it.

It is clear though that he wants to say yes, and has taken note of those against the reopening but appears to not agree with their (our?) opinions, though he admits he’s been swayed by those beliefs at times.

Certainly seems to be a man who’s hamstrung by big political promises and is doing all he can to say yes in the knowledge that what the people want isn’t necessarily what the people will get!

This afternoon does appear to mitigate the 'positive' words of late to a point where I have no idea of exactly what will transpire! It does sound reading between the lines that he has little positive news to impart on the aviation front but mentions the 'world leading sustainable aviation hub' at Gateway East which is interesting - whatever he means by that. He does seem sincere insomuch as they have not yet enough information upon which to take a decision, but if true it would seem unlikely another two weeks will make much difference after all the time already spent. If that is the case - and he sticks to 9th September - the decision becomes less about viability and not withstanding what he said - more about politics. Frankly, I don't think he knows what to do!
A decision based upon insufficient data (although I suspect there is plenty of negative stuff from independent Consultants) but swayed by politics in my opinion will be a recipe for disaster.