The airport was closed in November 2022. Credit: CoDC

Doncaster sets sights on reopening airport in 2026

4 November 2024 17:41 Neil Tague Comments (0)

Mayor Ros Jones said that a bidder to run the airport has been identified, with legals expected to be completed before Christmas.

Details of the bidder remain confidential at this stage, City of Doncaster Council said, but the aim is to have passenger flights taking off from South Yorkshire by spring 2026.

Doncaster will next week ask South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority for the immediate release of a £3m financial package to continue commercial negotiations and help prepare activity on site.

The business case will be heard at SYMCA ‘s meeting on 12 November. The funding also requires central sign-off, from the government’s subsidy advice unit (SAU), which will require details of the proposed package of public support.

This request for support is part of Doncaster’s £138m gainshare from SYMCA. SAU is expected to provide a decision in early January 2025.

Mayor Ros Jones said: “Reopening our airport is my number one priority and I am delighted to announce that we have reached the major milestone of identifying the bidder to help us reopen our beloved airport. This current step in the reopening process is certainly great news.

“I appreciate that people will want to know who the successful bidder is but at this time we must continue to have discussions with them on a strictly confidential basis. I will of course share who has been appointed when I can.

“I know our residents and businesses are keen for the airport to reopen and would want that to happen yesterday but please rest assured we are working as hard as possible to get the airport reopened with the aim of being operational by Spring 2026.”

News is also awaited on the reinstatement of airspace which is currently under consideration by the Civil Aviation Authority.

The business case highlights the significant opportunity around the reestablishment of aviation within the region. CoDC said that the return of aviation and associated development could create more than 5,000 direct jobs and 6,500 indirect jobs and could boost the economy by £6.6bn when fully operational.

Leaders across the board in South Yorkshire spent the 18 months from November 2022, when landowner Peel closed the airport it opened as Robin Hood Airport in 2005, working to return aviation to South Yorkshire.

CoDC placed planning restrictions on the site as it sought a way forward, restricting Peel’s options. The council then agreed a 125-year lease with the land and property giant in March this year.

Mayor Jones concluded: “Our proposition is not just an airport but will be a hub for sustainable aviation related industry. South Yorkshire Airport City – the programme to reopen the airport – has incredible potential, to bring jobs and prosperity to Doncaster and the wider South Yorkshire region.”