Mayor Coppard on Airport Reopening and Funding: A Holistic Approach

Strategic Insights -

South Yorkshire Mayor Harry Harrison Mayor Coppard sat down with the Local Democracy Reporting Service to discuss the upcoming decision on funding for Doncaster Sheffield Airport, set for September 9, 2025. The interview highlighted Coppard's commitment to taking a long-term view on the airport's success, focusing on its potential to boost local economies and create sustainable aviation opportunities. Coppard emphasized the importance of considering the airport as a catalyst for growth, rather than solely focusing on profitability.

Key Takeaways:

  • Coppard is open to the idea of "pulling the plug" on the airport if it's not successful, but only after a period of investment and effort.
  • The airport's staff will spend their salaries in local communities, boosting the economy, and businesses coming to the airport site will pay business rates, retained in the South Yorkshire economy.
  • Coppard believes the current model for running the airport was not effective in making it profitable, and a more holistic approach is necessary.
  • The mayor wants to build a positive relationship with Peel, the landowners, and focus on the airport's contribution to the local economy rather than solely on profit.
  • Coppard operates in a different space, as the public sector, not the private sector, and has a different metric of success.

Statistics:

  • Millions of pounds of gainshare funding for Doncaster Sheffield Airport are set to be decided upon in September 2025.
  • Airport staff will spend their salaries in local communities, boosting the economy.
  • Businesses coming to the airport site will pay business rates, retained in the South Yorkshire economy.
  • The airport's current model has been deemed ineffective in making it profitable.

Sources:

  • Local Democracy Reporting Service
  • South Yorkshire Mayor Harry Harrison Mayor Coppard
  • Peel, landowners of the airport site