Aviation Minister visits Doncaster Sheffield Airport to discuss role in improving 'regional connectivity around the UK’

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Aviation Minister, paid a visit to Doncaster Sheffield Airport to discuss how the airport can “deliver greater national connectivity” from the Sheffield City Region.

The airport sits as part of a 1,600 acre site with unconstrained capacity to handle up to 25 million passengers and 250,000 tonnes of cargo a year.

On March 20th, the minister met with the airport’s senior team and discussed a range of aviation issues, including DSA’s role in delivering a major contribution towards the UK’s long term aviation capacity need for both passengers and cargo.

The minister was shown improvements in surface access to the airport by arriving via the Great Yorkshire Way motorway link road connecting the airport to the M18.

He also viewed the recent £6m infrastructure investment made in resurfacing the runway, one of the longest in the North of England.

During the visit, the minister met Robert Hough, chairman of Peel Airports, Steve Gill, chief executive of Doncaster Sheffield Airport and Peter Nears, strategic projects director of Peel Group.

The minister heard about the airport’s record year for growth and long term plans to be unveiled later this year, which includes proposing a new East Coast Mainline station at the airport.

The station would provide a major connectivity boost to the region and deliver an international gateway for the east side of the UK, boosting trade and delivering associated economic benefits locally.

Steve Gill, chief executive of Doncaster Sheffield Airport said: “We were delighted to welcome Lord Ahmad to our airport today, for him to see the infrastructure investment we have made that uniquely places us to deliver significant new capacity for the UK from the North.

“It was also good to hear his priorities for UK aviation and to discuss how we at DSA can support these to deliver greater national connectivity.”

Aviation Minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon commented: “I’m delighted to have visited Doncaster Sheffield Airport and see the investment that has been made.

“This will attract both new airlines and new routes, which increases choice for passengers and provides vital links to more destinations for this region.

“This Government is committed to improving regional connectivity around the UK and boosting connections to global markets as part of the Northern Powerhouse. The airport’s growing network of passengers and routes will make sure the north of England is well placed to trade with the rest of the world.”

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