Not wading back in, but an interesting update from the FSB.
Airport saga takes a new twist
The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has been supporting a campaign to defer the development of the former Sheffield City Airport site. The FSB has suggested that an embargo be placed on the development until an independent public enquiry is held to look into the future of commercial aviation in the Region.
A petition has been initiated aimed at the local small business community which has attracted over 1,300 signatories, which was met with a deluge of misleading statements in the media reflecting a notion that the airport was closed due to it being commercially unviable – an argument which the FSB has consistently contested.
A new twist in the airport saga has now occurred with the news that a potential bidder has made himself known to the FSB, who wishes to buy the airport from its existing owners and reopen it as a regional aviation facility. As well as contracting with airlines to operate scheduled flights to other UK and European cities, the bidder plans to offer flight training, air taxi and business charter services, and intends to include a restaurant and other leisure facilities in a redeveloped terminal.
The bid would be subject to the full support of the Sheffield City Council, including provision of all the necessary planning consents, to turn the property back into an airport and a realistic price being agreed between the present owners of the airport site and terminal building, with all existing infrastructure intact.
The bidder is locally-based but has other aviation interests within the UK.