Doncaster Sheffield Airport could reopen to passenger flights in time for summer 2026.
Doncaster mayor Ros Jones confirmed that a bidder to reopen and run the city’s airport has been identified with the aim of flights resuming from spring 2026.
However, details of the bidder will remain confidential “until further into the process” as commercial negotiations are ongoing, a council statement said.
Legal and contract confirmation stages are now underway and are expected to be completed before Christmas.
The airport has been closed since November 2022 after site owners Peel Group said it was no longer financially viable.
City of Doncaster Council will next week ask South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority for the immediate release of a £3 million financial package to continue commercial negotiations and help prepare “timely activity” on the site.
News is also awaited on the reinstatement of airspace which is currently under consideration by the Civil Aviation Authority.
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.
“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.”