South Yorkshire’s Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) is set to become publicly owned again as a deal between the landowner and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is almost agreed upon.
South Yorkshire airport to reopen once again
Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) was shut in November 2022 due to a conflict between airport operators over a commercial agreement. This left the city without a commercial aviation presence, affecting residents and causing a large amount of uncertainty over its future.
Between an extended review and public consultation, Doncaster Council was unable to reopen the hub, and it has remained unoccupied until now.
South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard commented on this, stating,
“When the airport closed, almost everything was against us; the owners did not want to sell, we had no legal powers to intervene or stop the airport from closing, and no backing from the government at the time. Today, the future for DSA is bright, with the airport back in our hands, the sky’s the limit.”
The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has since made plans to buy the airport along with the terrain surrounding it, meaning they would become the owner and landlord, avoiding commercial disputes.
Plans to bring back aviation to the region were supported by a group effort from the City of Doncaster Council, local MPs, and the Government, who have engaged in 12 months of negotiations with Peel Land to discuss options for the airport.
This has resulted in an formal agreement which will be available to South Yorkshire leaders later this October 2026.
Whilst waiting for formal approval, Coppard said,
“I’m delighted to say that subject to formal approval of the MCA Board next week and then Peel, we’ve agreed a deal that means we’re taking Doncaster Sheffield Airport and adjacent Innovation Quarter employment land into public ownership. This is a deal that puts the future of DSA back in our hands and finally gives one of the biggest and best growth opportunities in South Yorkshire the platform for long-term success that it needs and deserves.”
Plans for the aviation hub
Once the final formal agreement is delivered, construction and development on the airport will likely proceed, with the project possibly being funded by taxpayer money. The first services to be introduced are freight aircraft, which are planned to return in autumn 2027, with passenger services joining in spring 2028.
Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones talked about what this project means:
“In Doncaster, we have worked hard to get the preparations ready, in relation to airspace certification and airfield readiness, getting key staff in place and importantly keeping those critical conversations with airlines, businesses and support services going. More will be shared when the time is right. Our communities have cheered us on throughout, as well as local businesses and campaigners, and I would like to thank them for their faith in this airport. This deal presents an amazing opportunity to get the people’s airport open again. I look forward to discussing this further next week.”
Leaders in South Yorkshire will decide on the proposals at a SYMCA Board meeting at 3.30 pm on Tuesday 27 October, and the City of Doncaster Council will come to a conclusion at a cabinet meeting on October 22nd.
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