A Doncaster Sheffield Airport employee who dreamed of working there as a child is 'devastated' that it is soon to close.
Josh Brown started working at the northern travel hub as a security guard 12 years ago, scoring a major promotion to airfield operations officer five years into the job.
The now 31-year-old has always loved airports, and planned his future employment at Doncaster Sheffield when proposals for it were first tabled when he was a child.
With news that flight scheduled to the airport will be wound down from next month, and Liz Truss's promise to keep it open seemingly in tatters, Josh's working future is in turmoil along with 800 other people who are employed there directly.
A further 1,900 jobs linked to the airport are also in jeopardy.
"I love the airport, I love working in this industry and in this airport specifically," Josh told the Mirror.
"I live 20 minutes down the road in Retford and I remember as a kid when the idea of them wanting to open the Doncaster Airport was tabled.
"From that point I knew I wanted to work there. I love the whole holiday experience. I loved travelling through the airport as a kid.
"I was interested in what the airlines were and different airports around the world. None are ever the same.
"They all have their own distinctive feel and Doncaster was something new. I remember the potential we all thought it had and still think it has."
Josh said that many of the more than six million people who live within a 60 minute drive of the airport love the ease of travelling through it.
"People say you land, get bags, and you're home within an hour of touching down," Josh said.
"People are devastated. Now they've made the decision, I think it's final. I don't think anything can be done quickly enough. I don't know what I'll do. We'll see what the future holds."
Managers at the regional terminal, serving 1.4 million passengers a year across 54 destinations, had been in talks with government officials about a rescue plan.
Yesterday a spokesperson for the Peel Group said these hadn't delivered "any tangible results", and following a strategic review, the business was declared "unviable".
A date for when the airport will shut for good has not yet been released.
The decision to close comes despite Truss's vow to protect it at her first PMQ's performance earlier this month.
The Tory leader said she had asked the new transport secretary, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, “to make sure we do protect this airport and we protect that vital infrastructure and connectivity that helps our economy grow”.
Yesterday a Department for Transport spokesperson said the decision to close was "incredibly disappointing" and encouraged "local leaders and Peel Group to work together and find a solution".
They made no mention of government intervention.
The GMB Union, which represents staff at Doncaster Sheffield, slammed the decision to close, saying it is "absolutely vital to the South Yorkshire economy".
The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority and Doncaster Council have offered to cover the airports operating losses for up the 13 months while a buyer is found.
The Peel Group has turned the offer down, saying it cannot "responsibly accept public money".
Sarah Barnes, GMB Senior Organiser, said: “Doncaster Sheffield Airport is absolutely vital to the South Yorkshire economy, providing hundreds of direct and supply chain jobs as well as an international transport hub.
“It’s hard to think of a better use of public money than keeping it open until a buyer can be found.
“Peel Group’s decision to close, despite the offer of help, is a narrow minded failure by fat cat bosses to see the big picture.
“The airports closure will be a devastating blow to workers, their families and the wider community.”
