THE RELAUNCH of a closed airport has been dealt a blow after the region’s mayor warned they ‘can’t say when it will reopen’.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) was forced to closed back in 2022, after it’s then owners said it wasn’t financially viable to stay open.
Doncaster Sheffield is unlikely to open next year, it has been warned[/caption]
The airport closed back in 2022, although recent plans hoped to relaunch flights by 2026[/caption]
There have since been major plans put forward to reopen it in recent months, including the UK government putting £30million towards the relaunch project.
And following a visit from Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander earlier this year, there were hopes of passenger flights returning as soon as next year.
Yet the airport has been dealt a blow after it was warned that there is still no confirmed opening date – and is unlikely to be 2026.
Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire, said: “At this point, I still cannot say we will be reopening DSA and creating that world leading sustainable aviation hub at Gateway East [a new business airport project].
He told ITV News: “I want to reopen DSA, I’ve always said that, but not at any cost because we don’t have unlimited funds in South Yorkshire.
He also warned that the “cost-benefit ratio of reopening DSA may be lower than we initially understood”.
It is thought that the airport would boost the economy by as much as £5billion, with 5,000 new jobs.
But the earliest the airport would open at full capacity – if it did go ahead – would be 2028, which would include passenger flights.
Mr Coppard finished by saying: “If we are not able to take a positive decision to fund the reopening of our airport, it will not be for a lack of work, a lack of political will, or a lack of analysis and insight.
“What I can promise, absolutely, is by the time we take that final decision, we will have done everything we can to take the best possible decision for the future for all the communities of South Yorkshire.”
Doncaster Airport operated for less than 20 years, opening in 2005 as Robin Hood Airport (with the name change in 2016).
It once offered flights to 50 destinations, including Paris, Majorca, Alicante, Berlin and Dubrovnik.
Airlines included Flybe (which left the airport in 2019) as well as Wizz Air and TUI Airways.
Doncaster East and Isle of Axholme Labour MP Lee Pitcher previously said he was in talks with both TUI and Ryanair to launch flights from the airport if it opens.
He told local media: “Yesterday, I chaired the latest meeting of the DSA Action Group, where we sat down with TUI’s UK & Ireland commercial director.
“It was a productive discussion, and we’ll continue to work with TUI, other key stakeholders, and push the Government to keep Doncaster Sheffield Airport firmly on the agenda.”
The airport once had Wizz Air flights, as well as Flybe and TUI Airways[/caption]
Recent plans also suggested a new train station could serve the airport[/caption]
A TUI spokesperson said: they were “excited about actively engaging with stakeholders about a potential re-opening”.
Mr Pitcher also said: “I chaired a positive DSA Action Group meeting with Ryanair, represented by their Head of Public Affairs.
“We discussed Ryanair’s position on Doncaster Sheffield Airport — and I’m pleased that they’ve agreed to be introduced to Fly Doncaster, the company that will manage the airport in partnership with international operator Munich International.”
And new plans for the airport to get a new train station were also put forward this year.
The proposed rail links would connect Lincoln and the Midlands to the airport, with the total cost estimated to be £1billion.
In the mean time, here is another UK airport which wants to reopen after 13 years.
And an airport in Kent also wants to reopen.
The earliest it could now open is 2028[/caption]