Doncaster Sheffield airport revival plan backed by £57m borrowing approval

A sum of up to £57 million in borrowing to fund the upfront and reopening costs of Doncaster Sheffield airport has been approved by the local council. 

City of Doncaster Council backed the financial support for restoring operations at the site yesterday (Thursday).

Funding of £193 million to fully reopen the airport has now been secured from a mix of sources including £160 million from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, approved in September.

The airport shut in 2022 after former owner Peel Group said it was financially unviable and the search for a private operator to help revive flights started more than a year ago.

Passenger flights could become available for the winter 2027-28 season, according to previous calculations.

The council was told that it is forecast that the airport could generate a pre-tax and interest profit of potentially up to £230 million from 2035 up to 2049. 

A report to the council noted that reopening the airport would “bring the significant benefits forecast to Doncaster and the wider region in the form of skilled employment, inward investment, tourism, economic growth and increased economic resilience”.   

Doncaster mayor Ros Jones said after councillors voted in favour of the borrowing proposal by 42–9: “I would like to thank councillors who supported this critically important decision because without this funding support we would not be able to fully reopen Doncaster Sheffield airport. 

“Had we not secured this cross party support the programme would have had to stop, that was the enormity of the decision taken by full council.  

“This decision now underlines the council’s commitment and determination to see our airport fully reopen and is a significant moment in our reopening journey.”

She added: “Fully reopening Doncaster Sheffield airport is set to be the largest single investment in Doncaster for more than a generation, with unrivalled economy opportunities for our residents and businesses.

“I know that the airport can be a huge success for Doncaster, South Yorkshire and the north.”