An international airport operator is ready to run Doncaster Sheffield airport, the local council has been told.
The agreement with an unnamed firm is being secured as part of a procurement process to partner with City of Doncaster Council.
FlyDoncaster has been established as wholly owned limited company to run the airport.
The council has applied to use some of its share of government funding to support the airport reopening and outlined why public funding is an “appropriate mechanism” to help.
Mayor Ros Jones noted that the process was complex and that there were several milestones to be reached before the airport can reopen in spring 2026.
She told a full council meeting: “I want to confirm to council and the people of Doncaster that we have an international airport operator, ready and waiting in the wings to work with us.
“FlyDoncaster is a wholly owned company of this council, which has been established to manage the airport and partner with our international airport operator.
“Its key initial role is to mobilise the reopening of the airport for passenger flights in spring 2026. Further details in relation to this will be included in the reports to go through the council decision making process in the weeks ahead.”
She added: “This is set to be the largest single investment in Doncaster for more than a generation, hence the considerable level of due diligence and our rigorous and logical approach to accomplish this monumental challenge of saving and re-opening our airport.
“I would like to thank the residents and businesses of Doncaster for their patience, we are not over the line yet, but we are nearly there.”
The next stage includes the mayor’s proposals as part of the council’s budget setting process and approval from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority which are scheduled to go through the decision-making process over the coming weeks. This will culminate at a full council meeting on February 27 that seeks budget approval.
The airport has been closed since November 2022 after site owners Peel Group said it was no longer financially viable.