Doncaster Sheffield Airport has moved a step closer to reopening after an agreement was reached to bring the airport and its adjacent Innovation Quarter employment land into public ownership. The proposed acquisition, involving the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), City of Doncaster Council (CDC) and Peel Land, is expected to provide greater certainty for the airport’s long-term future.
The transaction remains subject to formal approval by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Board on 27 October and agreement by Peel’s board. If approved by both parties, SYMCA would acquire the airport and the surrounding employment land, giving the region greater control over the site’s redevelopment and reopening plans.
The move represents a significant milestone in South Yorkshire’s ambition to establish the wider South Yorkshire Airport City vision. The project aims to develop a major UK hub focused on sustainable aviation, advanced manufacturing and innovation.
Public ownership is expected to provide the long-term control, flexibility and certainty required to unlock the site’s economic potential. The plans could support the creation of thousands of jobs, attract substantial private investment and strengthen the region’s position in sustainable aviation and industrial innovation.
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard welcomed the agreement, describing it as a turning point after years of uncertainty surrounding the airport.
“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,” Coppard said.
He added that the agreement would restore local control over the airport and provide the foundation needed to realise one of South Yorkshire’s most significant growth opportunities.
Coppard recalled that the airport’s closure had appeared inevitable four years earlier. At the time, he and Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones had pledged to do everything possible to save the facility.
After months of negotiations, the two authorities have now reached an agreement with Peel Land. Coppard said the government’s devolution agenda had gradually provided greater flexibility to pursue the acquisition.
He noted that the region had faced considerable obstacles when the airport was threatened with closure, including owners unwilling to sell, a lack of legal powers to intervene and the absence of government backing at the time.
With the proposed purchase now advancing, Coppard said the airport’s future would once again be in the hands of South Yorkshire’s residents.
Reopening preparations gather pace
Doncaster Sheffield Airport closed in November 2022, leaving South Yorkshire as one of the UK’s largest city regions without a commercial aviation presence. The closure also created significant uncertainty over the future use of the airport and its surrounding land.
Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones has made reopening the airport her top priority and believes the proposed acquisition offers the clearest route towards restoring operations.
“Fully reopening this airport is my number one priority and with the backing and support of South Yorkshire this deal will make that become a reality,” Jones said. She described public ownership as the right approach to securing the airport’s future and reopening it as soon as possible.
Jones also highlighted the partnership with SYMCA, which builds on preparations undertaken over the past four years.
According to the mayor, Doncaster has been working on airspace certification and airfield readiness, recruiting key personnel and maintaining discussions with airlines, businesses and support service providers. Further information will be released when the time is appropriate.
She also thanked local communities, businesses and campaigners for continuing to support the airport throughout the process, describing the agreement as an important opportunity to bring the facility back into public service.
Preparatory work has also intensified across the airport organisation. Teams have been recruiting senior aviation professionals to lead key departments and progressing regulatory requirements, including Airspace Change Proposals.
Procurement activity is under way for technology and equipment needed to support safe and efficient operations. This includes fire tenders and a new radar system, both of which form part of the broader readiness programme.
Airport management welcomes greater certainty
Simon Hinchley, Executive Director of Airport Operations at Doncaster Sheffield Airport, said the proposed changes to ownership would provide greater visibility over the airport’s future and strengthen confidence among its commercial partners.
He described the agreement as another vote of confidence in the facility, highlighting its potential contribution to the regional economy and national supply chains.
Hinchley said airport staff had worked exceptionally hard over the past year to put the necessary elements in place for a successful reopening. Greater certainty over the airport’s future, he added, would help suppliers, partners and customers make longer-term investment decisions.
Negotiations with Peel Land have continued over the past 12 months, as the parties explored possible arrangements for both the airport and the Innovation Quarter. Those discussions have now concluded, and the resulting agreement is due to be considered by South Yorkshire leaders later in October.
Freight operations targeted for autumn 2027
The reopening programme envisages a phased return to aviation activity, with freight services expected to resume in autumn 2027, followed by passenger operations in spring 2028.
Both milestones remain dependent on completing the regulatory and operational work required to reopen the airport. The planned timetable therefore depends on progress across certification, infrastructure, staffing and operational readiness.
The return of freight operations would restore an aviation gateway for cargo movements in the region, while the subsequent launch of passenger services would re-establish commercial air connectivity for South Yorkshire.
However, the proposed acquisition also carries financial risks for taxpayers because of the scale of public funding involved. Despite those concerns, the report submitted to regional leaders recommends approving the project.
If the transaction receives the necessary approvals, SYMCA would become the freehold owner of the airport, while also assuming the position of landlord under the lease held by City of Doncaster Council.
The forthcoming decisions by the two boards will determine whether the agreement can proceed, marking a decisive stage in South Yorkshire’s efforts to restore Doncaster Sheffield Airport and develop the wider Airport City project.
