Aviation Minister Baroness Vere visited Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) at the beginning of July, as the Peel Group announced plans to build a £2 million solar farm that will generate 25% of the energy used by the airport.

This part of a 20-year master-plan that should see the airport’s passenger numbers reach 1.45 million this year and double in the next five years.

Baroness Vere was also there to witness the airport signing up to the Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter, which makes a commitment to building a more balanced industry for women.

This follows the launch of the airport’s ‘Bright Futures’ schools engagement programme, which aims to inspire children — particularly girls — to consider a career in aviation.

She said: “To bring about real change in transport, we need to do things differently.

“From decreasing carbon emissions at airports to increasing female representation, the aviation industry is acting now to safeguard our future.”

Through both aviation and rail, DSA is the catalyst to delivering thousands of new jobs, housing, advanced manufacturing, logistics, community facilities, while providing a major international gateway for the eastern side of England.

DSA (www.flydsa.co.uk) has the highest number of new routes launched at any airport in the UK since August last year, including long-haul flights to Orlando Sanford (Florida), Budapest and Krakow, and another record year for cargo is also expected.