Government backs £30m plan to revive Doncaster Sheffield airport

The government has backed a £30 million investment plan to reopen Doncaster Sheffield airport (DSA).

The decision would see the creation of a sustainable aviation hub in South Yorkshire designed to “turbocharge” economic growth in the region.

The  announcement will enable the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) to use devolved funding to invest in the site, which has sat idle for years.

The plans are forecast to support 5,000 jobs, boost the economy by £5 billion and provide wider benefits of £2 billion by 2050.   

A government working group has been established with Doncaster Council and SYMCA to support local efforts to reopen the airport and explore how the project could unlock wider benefits in the region. The first meeting was attended by aviation minister Mike Kane.

The move follows government backing for a third runway at Heathrow, expansion of facilities at Luton and London City airports and transport secretary Heidi Alexander saying she was “minded to approve” Gatwick bringing a secondary runway into full use.

DSA shut in 2022 after former owner Peel Group said it was financially unviable but local politicians have been actively campaigning for a reopening in 2026.

Doncaster Council has formed a fully-owned subsidiary called Fly Doncaster and secured a subsidiary of Munich airport International as its strategic partner. 

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said: “Previous governments stood by as Doncaster Sheffield airport was closed by its owner despite the overwhelming support for it to stay open. 

“It now sits idle despite the potential to drive jobs and growth across the north. 

“I am delighted to work with City of Doncaster Council and the mayor of South Yorkshire Oliver Coppard to support their efforts to recreate South Yorkshire Airport City as a thriving regional airport.”

Alexander said: “This government will stop at nothing to fuel economic growth and deliver prosperity for people up and down the country, as part of our Plan for Change.  

“I’m thrilled to see devolved funding for South Yorkshire being used to revitalise the airport project, and boost the region as a whole, and I look forward to the first flights taking to the sky.”

South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard added: “This significant funding package, alongside the cross-departmental government working group we have now set up, is a vital signal of our shared commitment to our airport, to growth, to creating good jobs in our communities, and to the future of Doncaster and South Yorkshire.  

“Since day one, we have been fighting for our airport, so we can create good jobs in the industries of the future and play our part in developing the sustainable aviation technologies of tomorrow. 

“To now have the support of a government who don’t just understand that opportunity but truly want to help us realise it, couldn’t be more important.”