Doncaster-Sheffield Airport will not reopen in 2026: the mayor explained the reasons.

Airport recovery under threat

According to The Sun: The recovery of the closed Doncaster Sheffield Airport received negative signals, as the region's mayor reported that there is currently no approximate date for resuming its operations.

Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) was closed in 2022 when its previous owners declared it economically unviable to operate.

Recently, ambitious plans for recovering the airport were proposed, including a promise from the UK government for funding of £30 million.

After a visit from Transport Minister Heidi Alexander earlier in the year, there were hopes for the return of passenger flights as soon as next year.

However, the situation changed as it became clear that the exact date for reopening the airport has not yet been determined, and it may not operate until 2026.

Oliver Coppard, the Mayor of South Yorkshire, noted: “At this moment, I still cannot say that we will open DSA and create this world-renowned center for sustainable aviation in Gateway East.”

He also added: “I want DSA to operate again, I have always said this, but not at any cost, as we do not have unlimited funds in South Yorkshire.”

Coppard warned that “the cost-benefit ratio of recovering DSA may be lower than our initial estimates.”

According to preliminary estimates, the airport could contribute up to £5 billion to the economy and create 5,000 new jobs.

However, in the event of recovery, a full reopening with passenger flights will not happen before 2028.

Coppard summarized: “If we cannot make a positive decision regarding funding for our airport's recovery, it will not be due to a lack of work, political will, or analysis.”

DSA existed for less than 20 years, opening in 2005 as Robin Hood Airport (it was renamed in 2016). It previously offered flights to 50 destinations, including Paris, Mallorca, Alcúdia, Berlin, and Dubrovnik.

Leigh Pitcher, a Labour MP for Doncaster East, noted that he is negotiating with airlines TUI and Ryanair regarding possible flights from the airport in case it is reopened.

He reported: “Yesterday, I chaired the latest meeting of the DSA action group, where we met with the Commercial Director of TUI in the UK and Ireland.”

Meeting participants expressed optimism, promising to continue working with TUI and other key stakeholders to keep the airport on the agenda.

A representative from TUI stated that the company 'is excited about actively engaging stakeholders for possible recovery.'

Pitcher also added: “I had a positive meeting of the DSA action group with representatives from Ryanair.”

New plans include building a new railway station near the airport, which will connect Lincoln and the Midlands with Doncaster. The total cost of this project is estimated at £1 billion.

Currently, the date for the airport's recovery remains uncertain, but optimism regarding its future has not yet faded.