Doncaster Sheffield return could be a possibility, Tui chief suggests

Tui UK & Ireland boss Neil Swanson has said the company’s airline is weighing the possibility of a return to Doncaster Sheffield airport in future.

Speaking at Abta’s Travel Convention in Majorca, Swanson responded to a question on the firm’s interest in the South Yorkshire airport, which shut in 2022 after it was deemed financially unviable.

The search for a private operator to revive flights started almost a year ago, with the airport mooted to reopen to commercial passenger flights by winter 2027.

Tui is understood to have already expressed an interest in returning to Doncaster Sheffield if it reopens.

Swanson confirmed: “Clearly that is something we are looking at and working on. It’s part of ongoing discussions.”

Jet2.com and Jet2holidays chief executive Steve Heapy would not say if the company was also interested in operating from the airport.

“We are talking to lots of airports all the time. It would clearly be inappropriate to say what we are thinking of but we will consider any [airport],” he said.

Doncaster Council mayor Rob Jones last month welcomed agreement for £160 million in funds to help fully reopen the airport.

She said: “In terms of people wanting to go on holiday from Doncaster, we want to see bookings being taken before the end of 2026, with holidays available for the winter 2027-28 season. Freight flights will resume sooner simply because of the logistics. 

The airport was closed after former owner Peel Group said it was financially unviable and the search for a private operator to help revive flights started almost a year ago.