Doncaster-Sheffield airport faces divisive reopening
By Marie Koehl
February 19, 2024

The council has announced £138 million will be invested in reopening the Sheffield-Doncaster airport, which closed in late 2022 after failing to make a profit. 

The site is still owned by the Peel group, who still refuse to sell the property, after the council came to an agreement for a lease of £138 billion pounds by South Yorkshire. 

However, Opinions are divided

Hanna, a Polish student at the University of Sheffield said of the airport: “It’s the most convenient, and going to Doncaster was like £3, and if really an Uber was needed it was around £20, but it was easy to find someone to split it with, whereas to go to the Manchester airport it’s a bit more complicated and more expensive.” 

Marta, another Polish student at the University of Sheffield said: “Using the taxpayers’ money is not the best way, but if the airport manages to get more routes to different places, it could become interesting for local people since it could benefit a lot of people.”

Mark Chadwick, a local garage owner in Doncaster: “After talking with some of the staff working there, it was obvious that the airport was run to a loss, internal bills that were way higher than they should.

“Doncaster council hired two aviation and business consultant, they arrived at the conclusion that if the airport would be run properly it could bring benefits”

Nevertheless, for a lot of people, the reopening of the Doncaster Airport raises concerns, since the council will be using public money. 

A Twitter poll shows that more than half of the voters are not convinced for now.

The Peel group has yet to responded to comment.