Airport deal puts future ‘back in our hands’

Plans to bring a closed Yorkshire airport back into public ownership have taken a significant step forward, with regional leaders preparing to consider a “landmark” acquisition deal aimed at restoring flights and unlocking thousands of jobs.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) is set to purchase Doncaster Sheffield Airport and the adjoining Innovation Quarter employment land from Peel Land, subject to formal approval.

The proposed agreement will go before the SYMCA Board on Tuesday next week (October 27), with City of Doncaster Council also due to consider the plans at an extraordinary Cabinet meeting this Wednesday (October 21).

Approval from Peel Land’s board will also be required before the transaction can proceed.

The deal would see SYMCA become the freehold owner of the airport and surrounding employment land, acting as landlord under an existing lease arrangement with City of Doncaster Council.

It represents a significant milestone in efforts to reopen the airport, which closed in November 2022, leaving South Yorkshire without a commercial aviation hub.

South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard said: “I’m delighted to say that subject to formal approval of the MCA Board next week and then Peel, we’ve agreed a deal that means we’re taking Doncaster Sheffield Airport and adjacent Innovation Quarter employment land into public ownership.

“This is a deal that 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.

“Four years ago, we were told that our airport would be closing.

“But alongside Ros Jones, I said I would do anything I could to save DSA, and I meant it.

“Which is why after months of negotiations and the growing flexibility afforded to us by the Government’s devolution agenda, today we can announce that we have come to an agreement for SYMCA to buy the airport and Innovation Quarter employment land from Peel.”

Under current plans, freight operations could resume in autumn 2027, followed by passenger services in spring 2028, subject to the necessary regulatory approvals and operational preparations.

The acquisition would also support the wider South Yorkshire Airport City vision, which aims to establish a major centre for sustainable aviation, advanced manufacturing and innovation.

Regional leaders believe the project could attract substantial private investment, create thousands of jobs and provide a long-term boost to the local economy.

Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones added: “Fully reopening this airport is my number one priority and with the backing and support of South Yorkshire this deal will make that become a reality.

“This is the right option for the airport – to get it into public ownership and reopened as soon as possible.

“This is ambitious and the partnership with SYMCA builds on the strong foundations we have built up over the past four years, a foundation upon which we can build together as a team.”

Work to prepare the airport for reopening is already progressing, including the recruitment of senior aviation specialists, development of airspace change proposals and procurement of essential operational equipment.

This includes new fire tenders and radar technology, alongside other systems required to support future aviation operations.

Ros added: “In Doncaster, we have worked hard to get the preparations ready, in relation to airspace certification and airfield readiness, getting key staff in place and importantly keeping those critical conversations with airlines, businesses and support services going.

“More will be shared when the time is right.

“Our communities have cheered us on throughout as well as local businesses and campaigners and I would like to thank them for their faith in this airport.

“This deal presents an amazing opportunity to get the people’s airport open again.

“I look forward to discussing this further next week.”

Negotiations between SYMCA, City of Doncaster Council and Peel Land have continued over the past year, culminating in the proposed agreement now being presented for consideration.

The move would give public authorities greater control over the site’s future, providing the certainty and flexibility needed to progress aviation operations and develop the surrounding employment land.

Stephen Wild, managing director of Peel Land, added: “There has been significant collaboration, and we continue to work closely with our partners at the City of Doncaster Council and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority to achieve the wider vision.”

However, the report acknowledges that the project carries financial risks for taxpayers because of the scale of public investment required.

Despite those concerns, approval of the acquisition is being recommended as a key step towards delivering the airport’s reopening and wider regeneration ambitions.

Mayor Coppard added: “When the airport closed, almost everything was against us; the owners did not want to sell, we had no legal powers to intervene or stop the airport from closing, and no backing from the Government at the time.

“Today, the future for DSA is bright, with the airport back in our hands, the sky’s the limit.”

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