Peel boss 'visited' airport while redundant workers were at Doncaster job fair

An airport insider has claimed that Peel chairman Robert Hough was at DSA yesterday – at the same time some of the 800 staff threatened with redundancy at the end of this month were attending a specially organised careers event in Doncaster to help find them new roles.

The source said: “So Robert Hough decided to visit Doncaster Sheffield Airport to show his support and meet staff – on the day most staff were at the careers fair in Doncaster, because he's putting them out of a job.”

Peel is understood to be in talks with three potential investors interested in taking over the airport but have said that work towards its closure at the end of this month will continue in the meantime.

The Free Press understands that many workers have already secured new jobs and that those remaining have conceded defeat, with services removed and offices cleared.

Airline TUI has already switched its operations to other airports and the last flight is scheduled to take off from DSA on November 4.

Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones and South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard have offered a financial lifeline to Peel, offering to pay £7 million to cover the company’s losses while a new buyer is found.

The pair have said the clock is ticking on any deal however and have urged Peel to take potential investors seriously to help save the airport.

We have contacted Peel for comment.