South Yorkshire’s regional leaders have reached a landmark agreement to bring the closed Doncaster Sheffield Airport and its surrounding Innovation Quarter back into public ownership. The deal, announced Monday, marks a major step toward reopening the site for freight and passenger flights, pending formal approval from the regional board on October 27.
Public Acquisition of the Airport Site
The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) plans to acquire the freehold of the airport and the adjacent employment land from current owner Peel Land. The move follows a year of private negotiations, representing a shift from previous attempts to simply lease the site. Mayor Oliver Coppard confirmed the agreement, stating that the project puts the future of DSA back in our hands and finally gives one of the biggest and best growth opportunities in South Yorkshire the platform for long-term success that it needs and deserves.
South Yorkshire leaders set to back new public ownership deal for Doncaster Sheffield Airport https://t.co/W8RV05gYBr
While the financial terms of the purchase remain undisclosed, the SYMCA previously approved about £160 million of funding last year to support the airport’s revival. The deal requires final sign-off from the SYMCA board and the board of Peel Land. Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones, who described the full reopening as her number one priority,
stated that the deal was the “right option” to ensure the site is returned to public control.
Stephen Wild, Managing Director of Peel Land, noted that there had been significant collaboration between the partners to achieve this wider vision. The acquisition marks a reversal for Peel, which in 2022 had rejected offers of public money to cover operational losses, citing a lack of profitability after Wizz Air pulled its aircraft from the site. Labour MPs across Doncaster have also praised the deal, with Chancellor of the Exchequer John Healey describing the agreement as “concrete proof” of the benefits of shifting power from Whitehall to local leaders.
Project Timeline and Operational Goals
The airport has been closed since November 2022. While local authorities had previously targeted a return to passenger flights as early as spring 2026, the current roadmap has been extended to accommodate operational requirements.
- Autumn 2027: Expected resumption of freight services.
- Spring 2028: Planned return of commercial passenger flights.
These dates remain subject to extensive regulatory and operational preparations. According to reports, the City of Doncaster Council has been working to secure airspace certification and airfield readiness, including the recruitment of senior aviation specialists and the procurement of essential operational equipment. Despite the optimism, an internal SYMCA report acknowledged that the acquisition is not without risk
to the taxpayer, given the scale of public investment required.
Regional Reaction and Political Debate
Local business leaders have largely welcomed the intervention. Dan Fell, Chief Executive of Doncaster Chamber, argued that the move provides the stability necessary to attract private investment. Airlines need certainty when planning routes, partners need confidence to build their operations, and investors need to know that South Yorkshire is serious about delivering this project,
Fell stated. He added that the airport could act as a catalyst for international trade, tourism, and advanced manufacturing.
However, the political response has been mixed. Reform UK, which holds the majority of seats on the City of Doncaster Council, has criticized the pace of the process. Party leader Howard Rimmer called for an early election, describing the past 18 months as a period of dillydallying.
Meanwhile, Conservative councillor Jane Fox raised concerns regarding the use of public funds, specifically criticizing Mayor Coppard for utilizing “Gainshare funding” to purchase the site. Fox argued that the project could cost hundreds of millions and leave the region without other infrastructure projects for up to 30 years, asserting that the private sector should be taking the financial risk rather than the public sector.
Congratulations to SYMCA, Peel, Doncaster Council and everyone who has worked to reach this agreement. It demonstrates what can be achieved when parties find common ground and focus on the long-term opportunity for Doncaster and South Yorkshire.
Dan Fell, chief executive of Doncaster Chamber of Commerce
The SYMCA board is scheduled to consider the final proposals on October 27. Sally Jameson, MP for Doncaster Central, expressed her relief that the deal was finalized, thanking Mayors Jones and Coppard for their efforts in getting the agreement over the line.