UK airport to finally reopen 5 years after closing under new £160m revamp
One of the UK's largest city regions is set to once again have an international airport following a huge multi-million-pound investment. Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) near Finningley in Doncaster, started out as an airfield used by the Royal Flying Corps in the First World War.
It was later turned into a commercial flight hub called Robin Hood Airport, with flights from 2005 to holiday hotspots including Alicante, Majorca, Paris, and other destinations. But the airport was forced to close in 2022 after its owners, Peel Group, deemed it financially "unviable". They cited various factors, including plateauing passenger numbers. It meant South Yorkshire was left without an international airport.
But in September 2025, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) formally approved a £160million funding package built on earlier commitments to reopen the airport as DSA in a major boost for the area.
Its revival came after campaigning by residents and local politicians, and has been backed by the British Government.
Authorities are looking to bring back international flights in the coming years, Airport Industry News reported.
SYMCA had previously committed £16million of the investment.
Announcing the approval of the £160million investment last year, Mayor Oliver Coppard said: "We're reopening DSA. Today, we've made a historic decision to invest in the plans to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport and to create a sustainable aviation and advanced manufacturing hub at Gateway East.
"I've always said I wanted to reopen DSA, but we needed to know exactly what the plan looked like. That's why we've taken the time and done the work.
He added: "No plan of this size or scale is ever easy, or without risks, but today we've taken a bold step forward, backed by data, expertise, and a shared vision for the type of South Yorkshire we want to build, because DSA is a unique opportunity."
And while significant passenger operations aren't expected to restart until the summer of 2028, the SYMCA previously teased the potential for limited passenger activity and cargo from next winter.
Doncaster mayor Ros Jones shared an update on the plans on Facebook at the start of the year, writing: "As the South Yorkshire Airport City programme develops into the next phase of delivery, you'll hear more from me about what actions are being taken to reopen the airport."
Looking ahead to this year, she said highlights include:
- Airspace - We continue to have regular meetings with CAA, Department for Transport & Aviation Consultants in relation to Airspace Change Process (ACP)
- Licencing of Aerodrome
Ms Jones said in the January 2 post that she will "share further details over the coming weeks and months as we work to fully reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport".
She added: "Thank you for your ongoing public support because without your backing we wouldn't have got to this place."