Authorities in South Yorkshire have approved a funding package of up to GBP160 million to support the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport and see the long-awaited return of flights to the region.
The potential dates for the airports reopening, following its near five-year closure, have shifted following the funding decision. The aim is to have freight flights resume in summer 2026, while passenger flights are expected to be available to book from autumn/ winter 2026 for flights towards the end of the following year.
The airport closed in 2022 following its owners Peel Group declaring it commercially unviable. However, the latest funding boost paves the way for its reopening. It comes on top of GBP16m already committed by the board, including South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard, Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones and council leaders from Barnsley, Rotherham and Sheffield. The airport’s reopening was backed by Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves, earlier this year, when she announced in January: “We will work with Doncaster Council and the Mayor of South Yorkshire, Oliver Coppard, to support their efforts to recreate South Yorkshire Airport City as a thriving regional airport.”
Doncaster’s recruitment drive
A statement from Doncaster City Council revealed the search is now on to find three senior managers to help get the airport ready for opening.
The three roles include Head of General Aviation and Cargo, Head of Fire Rescue and Emergency Planning and Head of Assets are described as “critical to support the airport and would be part of its leadership team.”
South Yorkshire Airport City Director, Christian Foster, who is leading the programme to reopen DSA said: “With the funding agreement of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, the City of Doncaster Council is focused on delivering the airport.
“We now need to get the right people in place starting at the top tier in the executive structure. These jobs are vital to manage the comprehensive, technical, regulatory and legal operating requirements of an airport. This is the first tranche of the recruitment and these roles will support the further roll out of jobs in the future.”
A boost for the UK’s aviation supply chain
The reopening of the airport will also created an opportunity for the UK’s aviation supply chain. David Martin, Managing Director at Heamar, a precision tooling and lighting distributor, described the airport’s reopening as a “welcome boost for UK aviation” and a “timely opportunity for the region.”
He also noted that with services expected to return between 2027 and 2028, “operators will need early commitments on calibrated tooling, torque and crimp solutions, B1/B2 kits, and standardised spares to drive safe, fast turnarounds. MRO capacity will also need to scale for newer airframes and avionics, including composite repair, high-voltage and fibre-optic capability and data-driven maintenance practices.”
Noting that Heamar, will partner with operators and maintenance facilities to plan the bill of tools, deliver technical training and secure rapid sourcing through long-standing OEM relationships, Martin also said: “Done well, this programme will lift safety and reliability, create skilled jobs and build a resilient regional hub.”
The build up to the airport’s reopening
Doncaster City Council’s Mayor, Ros Jones, has also reiterated that while waiting for the GBP160 million funding to be approved it has been working behind the scenes to prepare for the airport’s reopening.
“This includes working with the Civil Aviation Authority to redesign the airspace needed and getting essential infrastructure back in as soon as we can, such as radar, air traffic control, fire service and other matters in place.”
The airport will be managed along with Munich Airport International (MAI) – DSA’s strategic partners.
“I want to stress that I am a firm believer that our airport will be the jewel in the crown of our economy, not just in Doncaster but across the wider region,” added Jones. “It will stimulate growth, bet the catalyst for business and industry and provide incredible opportunities for our residents and businesses.”
Photo: Doncaster Sheffield Airport
