Some huge news with regards to the opening of the Doncaster Sheffield Airport as South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard and council leaders approve a £160m funding package that will see commercial flights once again return, which is big news for the City of Doncaster as well as the surrounding region.

The decision was unanimous, with all five board members voting in favour of the funding. The board was composed of Oliver Coppard, South Yorkshire Mayor, who chairs it; Sir Steve Houghton, Leader of Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council; Ros Jones, Mayor of the City of Doncaster Council; Chris Read, Leader of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council; and Tom Hunt, Leader of Sheffield City Council.

It was reported that Munich Airport International (MAI) will be providing operation and management services. Back in February, Dr Lutx Weisser, managing director for MAI, said it was “too early” to announce airlines or destinations.

Doncaster council’s website says that the potential dates for opening have shifted following the funding decision. The aim is to have freight flights resume in summer 2026 and passenger flights be able to be booked from autumn/winter 2026 for flights towards the end of the following year.

Doncaster Free Press reported that South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard said: “We’re reopening DSA. Today, we’ve made a historic decision; to invest in the plans to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport, and to create a sustainable aviation and advanced manufacturing hub at Gateway East.

“I’ve always said I wanted to reopen DSA, but we needed to know exactly what the plan looked like. That’s why we’ve taken the time and done the work. No plan of this size or scale is ever easy, or without risks, but today we’ve taken a bold step forward, backed by data, expertise, and a shared vision for the type of South Yorkshire we want to build, because DSA is a unique opportunity.

“The plan we have backed today is about more than holiday flights or passenger numbers, it’s a long-term commitment to drive jobs, growth and opportunities in sustainable aviation, advanced manufacturing, freight, and even the defence sector, here in South Yorkshire.”

Mayor of City of Doncaster Council Ros Jones, said: “This is an important day in our airport’s story. Today we have taken a huge step forward towards fully reopening our airport. Over the last three years this airport has been the number one question on the doorstep, in the pub and across our communities.

“This project is not simply to reopen our airport for passenger flights, it’s about the wider economic impacts, creating a hub for aviation related industry, delivering jobs and opportunities for our residents and putting Doncaster back on the map.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: “Our first mission was to fix the foundations of our economy, now we are investing in Britain’s renewal so that we can build an economy that works for, and rewards, working people. “The reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport is a huge milestone for communities and business across South Yorkshire, delivering better connections, jobs and economic growth.

“We are ending the era of chaos and decline by choosing stability and investment, to grow our economy and put more money in working people’s pockets.”

Lee Pitcher MP for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme, said: “This isn’t just an airport – this is our airport. Having DSA open again will bring growth, jobs and opportunities for my constituency. Most importantly, it will bring the heart back to our community.

Find out more information via the council’s website here.

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Feature Image Credit: Doncaster Sheffield Airport

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