Government commits to £30m Doncaster Airport investment
The airport, which has been closed since Peel deemed it unviable in 2022, has had funding confirmed as part of the government’s devolution focus.
The government’s investment will be channeled through the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, which will use its devolved funding to support critical infrastructure development.
Plans for the wider Airport City include building homes alongside it. In November, land owner Peel announced its plans for up to 1,800 homes as part of the masterplan.
In January, Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones announced that the council-owned FlyDoncaster will operate the airport, which will require £100m of public money to fund its reopening in 2026.
Munich Airport International is a strategic partner in the project.
Speaking on Wednesday, deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said: “Through our bold devolution plans, we can back our Mayors and get opportunities for jobs and growth off the ground – just as they will with this thriving regional airport.
“Previous governments stood by as Doncaster Sheffield Airport was closed by its owner despite the overwhelming support for it to stay open.
“It now sits idle despite the potential to drive jobs and growth across the north.
“I am delighted to work with City of 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.”
Oliver Coppard said: “Since day one, we have been fighting for our airport, so we can create good jobs in the industries of the future and play our part in developing the sustainable aviation technologies of tomorrow.
“To now have the support of a government who don’t just understand that opportunity but truly want to help us realise it, couldn’t be more important.”
Coppard believes that reopening the airport will support 5,000 jobs, boost the economy by £5bn and provide wider benefits of £2bn by 2050.
Let’s hope now there is Local, Regional and National support will help the Airport become viable, with many routes and public footfall.
By TJL
Sadly a decision more to do with the upcoming Elections than any economic sense whatsoever. The £30 M is not new money and will come out of the regions transport funding so will obviously be detrimental to any other plans Just waiting now for details of what “incentives” they will be offering airlines to operate flights. Not a good story in the offing!”
By Anonymous