“Quickest Reopening Ever?“

In 2022, flights from Doncaster Sheffield Airport ground to a halt. South Yorkshire lost its only regional airport, thousands of jobs were affected and passengers have been forced to fly from airports such as Manchester, Leeds and London to reach their dream holiday destinations.  

Three years on, the region’s holidaymakers are one step closer to being able to jet off abroad from an airport on their doorstep.

City of Doncaster’s full council meeting on Thursday 27 November saw councillors of all political stripes in a cross-party agreement overwhelmingly approve a £57m loan towards running costs, 42 out of 51 councillors voting yes to carry the motion.

The results of the vote

Following a campaign heralded by South Yorkshire politicians Ros Jones and Oliver Coppard, City of Doncaster Council’s approval of the borrowing is a “critical turning point” in securing the airport’s future. 

The reopening of the airport is the centre of the wider South Yorkshire Airport City Plan, a ten year programme which aims to develop a sustainable aviation hub to boost economic growth. 

Ros Jones, Labour Mayor of Doncaster, said the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport is “vital for future prosperity” and will create “unrivalled economic opportunities.”

Mayor Ros Jones addressing the council chamber

Similarly, Guy Aston, Reform UK Group Leader, said the airport is a “gateway to opportunity and a symbol of regional pride.” 

While Jones and Aston are committed to “standing together for South Yorkshire and Doncaster” and “delivering for the people” they serve, with the total costs running up to just over £193m, critics of the project have questioned the council’s massive financial undertaking.

Jane Cox, Conservatives Councillor for Finningley, said the vote on the borrowing was the most “toxic” she had ever been involved in and Rachel Reed, Reform UK Councillor for Conisbrough , accused council leaders of a lack of transparency around proceedings.

With the airport due to run at a loss for the first nine years of its operation according to council reports and climate activists condemning the project as “damaging”,  the journey towards “lift off” has been complex and controversial.

Why did Doncaster Sheffield Airport close down? 

First opened in 2005 on the former RAF Finningley base, Doncaster Sheffield Airport ran services across Europe and the globe including Spain, Greece and Turkey. The travel hub was once home to flagship budget airlines Wizz Air, Flybe and TUI and in

In October 2022, Peel Group, the owners of Doncaster Sheffield Airport, announced the closure of the site due to a lack of financial viability. The group cited the high operating costs, the impact of the COVID 19 Pandemic and revenue as factors behind their decision.

Following Flybe’s withdrawal in 2019 and WizzAir’s transferral to Leeds Bradford, TUI was the sole remaining operator by the airport’s closure.

Despite efforts from the mayors to encourage Peel to seek alternative investors and a judicial review, Peel Group phased out flights shut down services and phased out flights. 

Who is running the airport now? 

City of Doncaster Council established a subsidiary company FlyDoncaster which will be responsible for managing and running the airport alongside German company Munich Airport International who will support the operation. 

Criticism has been levelled at the “conflict of interest” with key City of Doncaster Council executives on the board of FlyDoncaster. Mayor Ros Jones has promised there has been “total transparency” in all stages of the process.

Where are the funds for the airport coming from? 

South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority is giving £160m to the City of Doncaster Council towards the reopening of the airport.

This will be paid in annual £6 million instalments from City of Doncaster Council to FlyDoncaster.

The £57m loan agreed by City of Doncaster Council is intended to assist with immediate cash flow to accelerate the reopening process. It has not been taken out because of a shortfall in funds.

Is the public in favour of the plans? 

The Save Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) campaign led by local garage owner Mark Chadwick launched a public petition which received 130,000 signatures. 

During November 2025, City of Doncaster Council launched an online public consultation form which as to date of publication has has had over 8,700 respondents and 93% have said they are in support of the reopening of the airport. 

Sheffield Wire spoke to some locals and they gave us their thoughts:

What is Gateway East?

Gateway East is a multi-purpose site which houses Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

The site is part of a wider manufacturing, leisure and residential development which intends to create a sustainable, multi-use hub and drive economic growth. The masterplan includes a plaza, a commercial Innovation Quarter and 1200 residential homes.

Environmental Implications: 

The environmental impact of the reopening of the airport has been strongly criticised by local climate groups.

Council reports stated “Re-opening DSA is also likely to reduce the number of journeys from the region to other airports therefore reducing associated emissions. It is the intention of FlyDoncaster Ltd in partnership with Munich Airport International to undertake an environmental assessment to ensure we maximise every opportunity to be a green city airport.”

Chris Broome, campaigner for South Yorkshire Climate Alliance, does not think this will be enough. He said: “What the council and the air authorities stress is that they are going to have renewable energy at the airport, they’re going to have a rail line, improve the bus services, carbon zero buildings.

That will affect 2% of emissions, 98% will be from the flights themselves.

It’s completely inadequate by a huge margin.”

When will I be able to fly from Doncaster Sheffield Airport? 

Freight flights for business and commercial uses are due to commence in 2027.

Commercial flights for passengers are expected to resume in summer 2028.

What’s next for Doncaster Sheffield Airport?

The council continue to seek a private investor who can support the reopening project who the council have a “significant confidence of success” in.

A fully functioning airport for South Yorkshire is now one step closer to being reality thanks to the approval of Doncaster council funding.