Doncaster Sheffield: 'international operator' ready to run airport

"I want to confirm to council and the people of Doncaster that we have an international airport operator, ready and waiting in the wings to work with us,” Jones told a meeting of the full council.

Jones said FlyDoncaster’s "key initial role" would be to "mobilise" efforts to reopen the airport by spring 2026, and stressed the tone was positive as various mechanics of the process go through council decision-making processes.

"We are not over the line yet, but we are nearly there," she added. "This is set to be the largest single investment in Doncaster for more than a generation, hence the considerable level of due diligence and our rigorous and logical approach to accomplish this monumental challenge of saving and reopening our airport."

Doncaster Sheffield shut in November 2022 after owner, Peel Group, said it was no longer financially viable. This followed several carriers pulling out of the airport, including Wizz Air, which was DSA’s last based airline.

Tui has also operated from the airport in the past, and last year said it was excited about the prospect of DSA reopening and was "keen to return".

Late last year, asked whether Jet2.com and Jet2holidays might put any capacity into a reopened DSA, chief executive Steve Heapy said Jet2 would be open to meeting with the airport "in the near future".