Interesting comment on the DTVM website:
The airport is currently operating at a loss and is under risk of closure.
The press and politicians have presented the airport as being at risk of closure, the 2021 guarantee to keep the airport open will just fall away like a product warranty. Peel Airports strong statement citing uncertainty after 2021 a few days ago did not directly reference closure and is believed to have been nothing more than an attempt to encourage the sale going through. The general feeling within the business community is that no matter what Peels actions in future, there will always be someone ready to step in and run the airport.
para 22 of the Mayor's plan says:
"In more recent discussions the Combined Authority has been informed by Peel that it has already taken the decision that the Airport will close in or shortly after 2021."
No discussions in the Mayors plan other than closure or public ownership, but there again...
Essentailly the Mayor's plan is similar to the Peel Masterplan but backed by £75m of tax funding (£40m purchase price plus £20m to cover operating losses and £15m for improvements and maintenance), all underwritten by selling the land if it doesn't work.