Doncaster Sheffield Airport closed its doors back in November 2022 after the Peel Group declared it financially unviable, but now the City of Doncaster Council has said it is committed to reopening by the Spring of 2026.
The news comes as South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard told the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority SYMCA) AGM, he expects to decide on releasing gainshare funding in “early September”, according to Doncaster Freepress.
The original timeline was estimated for summer, so the new date shows more delays. But despite setbacks, the Doncaster Mayor’s plans for flights in the first half of 2026.
Mayor Jones said in a statement: “I must emphasise the importance of the Gainshare decision in early September and swift release of Gainshare funding alongside the £30m from Government that the Prime Minister announced in April.
“We are at a critical point, where we need this certainty of funding in order to continue our plans to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport,” West Bridgeford Wire reported.
Tui, which previously operated out of the airport, have hinted at making a comeback. A TUI spokesperson said in February: “TUI has always supported Doncaster Sheffield Airport, proudly flying customers from the region and were disappointed when the airport closed. We’re excited about actively engaging with stakeholders about a potential re-opening.”
Munich Airport International (MAI) will be providing operation and management services. Back in Febraruy Dr Lutx Weisser, managing director for MAI, said it was “too early” to announce airlines or destinations.
The BBC reported that he said: “The UK is a very important aviation market and we are interested in Doncaster because it is all there. This is not a greenfield project, this is not something that needs to be built. You don’t have the risks of planning approval or construction and all these other things.”
“It may need some renovation, and recertification is important, but it is all in place. It just needs a bit of polishing and then you have an airport and that is exciting.”
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