Funding Approved for Doncaster Sheffield Airport

[SheffieldForum]

 

Plans to bring commercial flights back to Doncaster-Sheffield Airport (DSA) are set for review, with a new vision to turn the site into a key economic hub for the region. South Yorkshire’s leaders will meet on 12 November to consider funding for the project, which aims to have flights taking off again by Spring 2026. The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), led by Mayor Oliver Coppard, is exploring an additional £3 million to support preparations and advance discussions with potential operators.

 

The South Yorkshire Airport City concept goes beyond just reopening DSA; it’s part of a longer-term plan to drive economic growth around the Gateway East site. Already home to major companies like McLaren and Rolls-Royce, the site is set to become a centre for sustainable aviation and advanced manufacturing. The ambition is to bring in jobs and investment to benefit the wider South Yorkshire community.

Building Momentum with Local Investment

Earlier this year, the SYMCA Board supported the proposal to draft a detailed business case for the project. Since then, City of Doncaster Council has signed a long-term lease with Peel, the site’s owners, and has shortlisted an operator for the airport. The SYMCA has also approved up to £138 million in support for the project, provided there is a fair and effective deal with a new operator.

 

The additional £3 million will allow essential preparations, including meeting Civil Aviation Authority standards, to proceed while negotiations continue. South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said, “We’re committed to giving DSA a strong future, with the right balance of support and oversight to make this project work for everyone in South Yorkshire.”

 

Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones added, “This project could bring more than just flights back to Doncaster. It’s a chance to establish South Yorkshire as a hub for sustainable aviation and innovation, creating jobs and growth for the whole region.”

[Guest]

I'd support re-opening it, but only if they include long haul flights and not just short "hops" over to France and that.

 

 

 

[slh73]

11 minutes ago, XboxMan2024 said:

I'd support re-opening it, but only if they include long haul flights and not just short "hops" over to France and that.

 

 

 

Why wouldn't they include long haul? They did before it closed.

[HeHasRisen]

47 minutes ago, slh73 said:

Why wouldn't they include long haul? They did before it closed.

They didn't really unless you include the odd TUI to Florida. 

 

Fact remains, and I mentioned this on the other thread, unless Easyjet or Ryanair want to base planes there the reopening is ridiculous.

[slh73]

1 minute ago, HeHasRisen said:

They didn't really unless you include the odd TUI to Florida. 

 

Fact remains, and I mentioned this on the other thread, unless Easyjet or Ryanair want to base planes there the reopening is ridiculous.

I flew to Cyprus and Rhodes from there. Not long haul, but still a bit more than a short hop to France. There were flights to fliruda, as you say, and they were going yo introduce cancun and other Caribbean flights but then it closed. No reason to not do that if it reopens, they've got the runway for it. Personally I'd use Doncaster over Manchester every time. 

[Guest]

8 minutes ago, slh73 said:

I flew to Cyprus and Rhodes from there. Not long haul, but still a bit more than a short hop to France. There were flights to fliruda, as you say, and they were going yo introduce cancun and other Caribbean flights but then it closed. No reason to not do that if it reopens, they've got the runway for it. Personally I'd use Doncaster over Manchester every time. 

Well yeah because it's significantly nearer, and probably considerably cheaper, than flying from Manchester.

 

 

[slh73]

2 minutes ago, XboxMan2024 said:

Well yeah because it's significantly nearer, and probably considerably cheaper, than flying from Manchester.

 

 

Distance and price have nothing yo do with it. If I'm going to sit on a plane for 5 hours, another hour in the car is neither here nor there. I prefer donny to Manchester because Manchester Airport is probably the worst airport I've ever flown from. Massive queues, no staff, and just a general lack of organisation. Whereas every time I've flown from Doncaster it's been drop the car off, cross the road to check in, straight through that and up the stairs, and you're in departures ready to go. No messing, no hold ups. 

[RollingJ]

Forgive me for possibly not remembering correctly, but have SYMCA not already spent millions on a 'strategy' for DSA?

[HeHasRisen]

32 minutes ago, XboxMan2024 said:

and probably considerably cheaper

This was never the case when pricing up flights and holidays tbh, Doncaster was almost, without exception, more pricey.

 

Also more inconvenient as they had less flights per day to the places I wanted to go to.

[HeHasRisen]

28 minutes ago, slh73 said:

Distance and price have nothing yo do with it. If I'm going to sit on a plane for 5 hours, another hour in the car is neither here nor there. I prefer donny to Manchester because Manchester Airport is probably the worst airport I've ever flown from. Massive queues, no staff, and just a general lack of organisation. Whereas every time I've flown from Doncaster it's been drop the car off, cross the road to check in, straight through that and up the stairs, and you're in departures ready to go. No messing, no hold ups. 

Ive used Manchester T2 twice this summer/autumn, the latter at peak flying time, and waltzed straight through security, the new terminal upgrade is a damn sight better than the crumbling  Terminal 1 which thankfully is scheduled to close next year.

 

No Europe flight is "long haul" btw.

Edited November 5, 2024 by HeHasRisen