Why warning signs over the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport cannot be ignored

In an ideal world, there is no reason for South Yorkshire not to have an airport that flies passengers to and from destinations all over the world, is a boon for the logistics industry and also acts as a sustainable aviation hub.

These are all things that generate economic growth, spread prosperity and create much-need opportunities.

That is why this newspaper has championed and advocated for the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA). It has all the right ingredients to act as a catalyst for good in South Yorkshire.

However, now that millions of taxpayer pounds are at stake, cheerleading in the hope of idealistic scenarios to play out is not enough.

The airport reopening project needs the utmost scrutiny. Scrutiny that stretches beyond the finances involved in just getting DSA reopened. What comes next is just as, if not more important.

There will be some who are minded to take Vincent Hodder’s comments with a grain of salt. He is, after all, the chief executive of nearby rival Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA).

However, those who are of that view need only look at the first incarnation of DSA before it closed down in 2022. Previous operator Peel was unable to make it work as a private concern.

Mr Hodder references his time as chief revenue officer of FlyBe, when the airliner operated out of the airport and the losses it incurred were paid for by Peel.

Worryingly, he adds that there is “almost no chance” that DSA “will ever generate a profit”.

Given that DSA is expected to make a loss of £80m in the first nine years of operation and won’t turn a profit until 2034, every penny needs to be accounted for. And local leaders must not allow optimistic projections of future profits to cloud their judgement.