New PM says Doncaster-Sheffield and other regional airports are ‘vital’

Liz Truss has hailed the role of regional airports in her first Prime Minister’s Questions session in the House of Commons today (September 7).

The new prime minister made her comments in response to a question from the Conservative MP for Don Valley, Nick Fletcher, who has been campaigning to keep Doncaster-Sheffield airport open.

The future of the airport was thrown into doubt in July after its owner, the Peel Group, said the site “may no longer be commercially viable” following the announcement that Wizz Air will withdraw, leaving Tui as the only airline maintaining a base at the facility.

Fletcher said: “I thank her for her support of my campaign to keep Doncaster-Sheffield airport open.

“Will she now help further, writing to South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard and Peel Holdings chair John Whittaker to remind them of their powers, duties and responsibilities to the people of South Yorkshire and beyond?

“Will she use the full weight of her office on these decision-makers so as to keep Doncaster-Sheffield airport open?”

More: Shapps ousted as Anne-Marie Trevelyan named transport secretary

Truss replied: “Regional airports including Doncaster-Sheffield airport are a vital part of our economic growth.

“What I will make sure is that the new transport secretary is immediately on this issue.”

She indicated towards Anne-Marie Trevelyan, who has replaced Grant Shapps, and added: “I can see she is; I can tell she is already contacting the people of Doncaster and Sheffield to make sure we protect that airport and we protect the vital infrastructure and connectivity that help our economy grow.”

A petition launched in July calling for Doncaster-Sheffield airport to be saved has had more than 103,000 signatures.

Previously international trade secretary, Trevelyan is a chartered accountant and was first elected MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed in the 2015 general election.

Main picture: Liz Truss responding to Nick Fletcher, with Anne-Marie Trevelyan (white jacket) nearby.