New funding sees Doncaster Sheffield inch closer to spring 2026 reopening
James ChappleEfforts to bring Doncaster Sheffield airport (DSA) back into commercial use by spring 2026 have taken another important step forward after a significant funding commitment to the project.
The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Board has agreed to release £3 million from existing earmarked resources to "progress reinstatement activity and commercial negotiations".
This includes "time critical" work to secure the required accreditation from the CAA and to examine the necessary infrastructure. South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard said he was "completely committed" to reopening DSA and creating "a world leading sustainable aviation hub".
DSA shut months after its final based airline, Wizz Air, pulled out in mid-June 2022. Wizz said it had failed to come to new commercial agreements with DSA, whereas DSA said Wizz was sacrificing its DSA routes to support services at other UK airports.
It comes after Doncaster Council earlier this month confirmed it had identified a bidder ready to reopen and operate the airport, which the mayoral authority this week described as "a credible international airport operator".
No clues have yet been given as to which airlines DSA would seek to operate from a newly reopened airport, although Tui – which previously operated from DSA – earlier this year said it would be keen on a return.
DSA is being positioned at the centre of a broader South Yorkshire Airport City concept, forming part of a 10-year plan to drive economic growth in Doncaster and the wider region. The mayoral authority believes the concept could create 5,000 direct jobs and generate £6.6 billion in new economic activity at a benefit to cost ratio of 9:1.
It said it was working "at pace" with Doncaster Council on the proposal, but stressed there was still "a series of milestones" to clear in order to realise the aim of restoring passenger flights by spring 2026.
The mayoral authority has already committed £138 million to the project, subject to "the right deal being struck with the right partner" with a view to DSA playing a key role in the economic regeneration of South Yorkshire and wider north of England region.
"It’s so important we get this right," Coppard added. "The deal we sign must offer a secure future for our airport, create growth in the economy, and offer real value for taxpayers."
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