Latest news with #DoncasterSheffieldAirport
Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Abandoned UK airport step closer to reopening after TUI and Ryanair talks
Doncaster Sheffield Airport has been closed since the end of the 2022 summer season after its then owner, Peel Group, declared it financially unviable Doncaster Sheffield Airport has moved one step closer to reopening following positive talks. TUI and Ryanair have been in conversation with the group running the relaunch project, giving hope that the now mothballed airport could start jetting holidaymakers off once again. Doncaster East and Isle of Axholme Labour MP Lee Pitcher announced the DSA Action Group "sat down with TUI's UK & Ireland commercial director" and "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," Mr Pitcher said, the Doncaster Free Press reported. In January, Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary refused to rule out returning his company's flights to the North East airport, but admitted being based at the site was 'a hard sell.' The CEO used an interview with Sky to push for air passenger duty (APD) to be scrapped, something he has called for regularly, despite airlines paying no tax on the very polluting fuel they use. "I think its a very tough sell for somewhere like Doncaster in the shadow of Leeds Bradford. I wish them well but its certainly not part of our growth plans in the UK – which isn't to say we wouldn't put some flights back into Doncaster if APD was scrapped," Mr O'Leary said. "We certainly would look at it if it was the price of scrapping APD, we would guarantee to put flights back into Doncaster.' Signing up airlines will be key to any future reopening of Doncaster Sheffield, which has been dormant since November 2022. The City of Doncaster Council has pledged to have Doncaster Sheffield Airport up and running by spring 2026, according to West Bridgford Wire. This development follows South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard's indication that a decision regarding the release of gainshare funding for the airport's revival is expected in "early September", a move seen as pivotal for the travel hub's resurgence. This new schedule signifies yet another postponement, with initial plans aiming for a summer restart. "The plan remains to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport in Spring 2026," confirmed a spokesperson for Mayor Jones, acknowledging several dependencies still in play. "Once we have the Gainshare decision signed off in early September we can finalise our plans, including progressing with our Airspace, signing-up airlines and freight providers and to employ and train the hundreds of staff required to operate an airport." READ MORE: Eurostar announces big change to train schedule kicking off this year Previously reliant on TUI as its sole operator before the Peel Group shut it down due to financial woes, the airport's future now rests with FlyDoncaster. The company, formed by Doncaster Council, is optimistic about the airport's economic prospects once it reopens. Back in 2016, the airport saw its busiest year, with 1.25 million passengers passing through its gates. German company Munich Airport International (MAI) is set to deliver operational and management expertise. Earlier in February, MAI's managing director Dr Lutz Weisser mentioned it was "too early" to talk about specific airlines or destinations, but confirmed ongoing confidential talks with carriers. "The UK is a very important aviation market and we are interested in Doncaster because it is all there. This is not a greenfield project, this is not something that needs to be built. You don't have the risks of planning approval or construction and all these other things," he explained, as reported by the BBC. "It may need some renovation, and recertification is important, but it is all in place. It just needs a bit of polishing and then you have an airport and that is exciting." At a recent council meeting, Christian Foster, who is both the council programme director and director of FlyDoncaster, shared ambitious plans for diversifying airline operations at Doncaster. The Sun quoted him saying: "Working with our advisers from Munich we are very clear we want to target a number of airlines and have already been having those conversations for over 12 months with certain airlines. "Having a strategy where you only have an airport with one airline doesn't work for Doncaster and hence we want a minimum of four to five and that's where we are working at. We are very keen to get our airspace returned back to 24 hours for next year." Meanwhile, TUI has teased the possibility of a return to Doncaster Sheffield Airport, which previously featured in its roster for flights to sun-soaked spots such as Cyprus and Spain. Reminiscing about former ties, a TUI spokesperson remarked in February: "TUI has always supported Doncaster Sheffield Airport, proudly flying customers from the region and were disappointed when the airport closed. We're excited about actively engaging with stakeholders about a potential re-opening."
The Sun
09-07-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Closed UK airport takes step closer to reopening next year after ‘talks' with Ryanair and TUI
THE CLOSED Doncaster Sheffield Airport has revealed the latest in their reopening plans. The airport closed back in 2022, but has been backed by the government to reopen. 3 Earlier this year, the UK government revealed £30million was being put towards its reopening. And with hopes to restart operations by the first half of 2026, which airline could return is yet to be confirmed. But Doncaster East and Isle of Axholme Labour MP Lee Pitcher confirmed that he was in talks with both Ryanair and TUI. He said, according to 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.' He also added on social media: "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." Yet earlier this year, Ryanair said they may not be able to return to the airport, due to their growth at the nearby Leeds Bradford Airport. He told Sky News at the time: "We certainly would look at it if it was the price of scrapping APD, we would guarantee to put flights back into Doncaster.' Previous routes that once operated from Doncaster Sheffield were primarily short-haul, including Majorca, Alicante and Paris as well as Dubrovnik and Berlin. UK Airports that no longer offer commercial flights Not only are airlines being discussed but a new train station could connect the airport. This would link it to both Lincoln and the Midlands. A spokesperson previously said: 'The plan remains to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport in Spring 2026." This will go ahead if funding is approved in September 2025. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said at the time: "If we are to really grow our economy and put money into the pockets of working people, regional growth needs to be hardwired into the decisions that we make. "Previous governments stood by as Doncaster Sheffield Airport was closed by its owner despite the overwhelming support for it to stay open. It now sits idle despite the potential to drive jobs and growth across the north. "I am delighted to work with City of Doncaster Council and the Mayor of South Yorkshire Oliver Coppard to support their efforts to recreate South Yorkshire Airport City as a thriving regional airport." As much as £5billion could come from the airport in a boost to the economy. Here's another closed airport in the UK that was once the world's biggest. 3
Daily Mirror
25-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Reopening date unveiled for abandoned UK airport used by 1.25million passengers
The troubled South Yorkshire airport was mothballed in 2022 when just TUI was operating out of the airport. The City of Doncaster Council has said it is committed to reopening Doncaster Sheffield Airport by the spring of 2026 A reopening date has been tabled for Doncaster Sheffield Airport, which has been out of operation since November 2022. The City of Doncaster Council has said it is committed to reopening Doncaster Sheffield Airport by the spring of 2026, West Bridgford Wire reports. The announcement came after South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said he expects to make a decision on releasing gainshare funding for the project in 'early September', which is likely to be crucial for the travel hub's future viability. The new timeline means another delay for the project, which was due to start operating this summer. 'The plan remains to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport in Spring 2026,' a spokesperson for Mayor Jones said, 'There of course remain a number of interdependencies. 'Once we have the Gainshare decision signed off in early September we can finalise our plans, including progressing with our Airspace, signing-up airlines and freight providers and to employ and train the hundreds of staff required to operate an airport.' READ MORE: Holidaymakers at risk of damaging credit score abroad The Northern travel hub was previously operated from just TUI before the Peel Group declared it financially unviable and closed its doors in 2022. However, the new operators of Doncaster Sheffield Airport, FlyDoncaster, a company established by Doncaster Council, have expressed confidence in the airport's financial viability upon reopening. At its peak in 2016, 1.25million passengers moved through the airport in a year. German firm Munich Airport International (MAI) will be providing operational and management services. In February this year Dr Lutz Weisser, managing director for MAI, stated that while it was "too early" to announce airlines or destinations, lengthy and confidential discussions with airlines were ongoing. "The UK is a very important aviation market and we are interested in Doncaster because it is all there. This is not a greenfield project, this is not something that needs to be built. You don't have the risks of planning approval or construction and all these other things," he said, according to the BBC. "It may need some renovation, and recertification is important, but it is all in place. It just needs a bit of polishing and then you have an airport and that is exciting." Christian Foster, the council programme director and director of FlyDoncaster, revealed forward-looking plans at a recent council meeting, emphasising the intention to diversify airline operations at Doncaster. According to the Sun, he said: "Working with our advisers from Munich we are very clear we want to target a number of airlines and have already been having those conversations for over 12 months with certain airlines. "Having a strategy where you only have an airport with one airline doesn't work for Doncaster and hence we want a minimum of four to five and that's where we are working at. We are very keen to get our airspace returned back to 24 hours for next year." Meanwhile, TUI has dropped strong hints of making a comeback to Doncaster Sheffield Airport, which was once part of its network flying travellers to sunny destinations like Cyprus and Spain. Reflecting on past connections, a TUI spokesperson said in February: "TUI has always supported Doncaster Sheffield Airport, proudly flying customers from the region and were disappointed when the airport closed. We're excited about actively engaging with stakeholders about a potential re-opening."
BBC News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Reform UK, power struggle and Doncaster's airport battle
On Friday, 37 Reform councillors will take their seats in the Doncaster Council chamber for the first time. Their new majority comes at a pivotal time for the city, where Labour mayor Ros Jones was re-elected on a ticket of promises to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport. Reform came from nowhere to become the council's biggest party, yet they don't control the council because the city's mayoral system means Jones still wields considerable recent election, which saw Labour slump from 40 councillors to 12, leaves a lot of questions. Why did people vote differently for the mayor and their councillors? Will the authority grind to a 'bureaucratic halt'? Will the airport actually open again?Reform's influence will be curtailed by the presence of the Labour mayor, who declined to invite their members to be part of her cabinet. She has instead extended a hand of friendship to the party through an Executive Group she has set will provide "opposition members with access, influence and opportunity to shape decisions".What that actually means in practice remains to be seen, as does whether Reform and other parties take up her invitation. Jones is going to need to bring other parties on board to an extent because although she can make a lot of decisions alone, there are some which need the approval of full authority's budget, the council's Corporate Plan, which sets out priorities, and any decision on the airport, which closed in 2022 when landowners and operators Peel Group said it was no longer viable, are chief among is where things will get interesting. The future of the airport might be the biggest decision Doncaster has to make for a generation. It is due to cost about £100m of public money to reopen the airport. It was the biggest talking point during the was, arguably, the only thing that got Jones across the line again – what had already been done to reopen the airport and her promises to make it clear many people in Doncaster were voting broadly for Reform as their councillors, but for a mayor they picked the person who had already been driving the airport the airport now becomes 'the big thing' for Jones – it got her elected and it will also be the thing that she will be held accountable has already gone so far down the runway, is there any real chance that they can change their minds about the project's value for money and decide not to take off after all?She'll need to convince an unconvinced Reform – but also her Labour colleague and Mayor of South Yorkshire, Oliver will ultimately decide whether the money can be spent because it would be coming from the county's devolution settlement, which his office says the deal "has to make sense" to be granted his not just politicians Jones needs to work on. Doncaster Council's own auditors also have "serious concerns" about the effective use of resources. Professional services firm Grant Thornton told the council in November that not being able to secure outside investment for the airport "would be a significant escalation in the project's risk profile and the council's financial exposure". Some businesses – as much as they want the airport to reopen – want to make sure it is done in the right Mason's office at Redline Assured Security looks out on to the empty terminal at what was once RAF Finningley, a key Cold War-era base before its conversion into a commercial airport 20 years company helped train security staff there and hopes to do it again if it he says legislation on scanners has changed even since the airport closed. They'd need new 3D-scanners and training needs to happen now if locals want the jobs that could be created."We do run the risk, unless it's well managed, of bringing people in from outside of the region and that would be a huge travesty. We'd like to see those jobs returned to the local community," he explains."There is a huge lead time to opening up an airport, particularly one that's been closed for a while. There is a lot of skill that needs to be brought in. We really need to think about training people now rather than having to bring people from outside of the region and taking jobs away from people in Doncaster." 'Lack of open conversation' One person quietly putting his hand up in the corner of this debate is Richard Sulley from the Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures at the University of told me there are plenty of promises being made by politicians – but not enough questions asked."It's hard to justify reopening an airport in a time of a climate emergency. There do seem to be very few voices politically against the reopening of the airport and you can see why. "What's concerned us has there's not been much open conversation about the downsides of the airport."I think there are strong arguments that this is not a good use of public money even within the context of reopening an airport - let alone when you factor in the carbon emissions that will be generated by that airport." Doncaster Council has established a wholly-owned subsidiary called Fly Doncaster and secured Munich Airport International as its strategic partner to support the re-establishment of operations there over a number of years. The site would be leased from region needs the jobs that the airport could provide but what would the cost be, both financially and environmentally?That's a huge decision to take for Doncaster. And the city will be doing it at a time when the council is, perhaps, at its most mayoral system that Doncaster uses is meant to be getting scrapped by the government in the next few years. By then though, these decisions will be made. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
BBC News
30-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
The issues facing Doncaster as city prepares for mayoral election
I'd just pressed record – to film a shot of Doncaster Markets – when I spotted that the "Doncaster" sign actually said "O CASTER".Somewhere along the line DN had lost its D and N – and for people living within that postcode, Thursday will mark a chance for them to deliver their own letter; an X next to the name of the person they want to be the new what will the new mayor have to do?Their brief ranges from the big decisions that are getting all the attention and the other big decisions that don't get as much coverage. Often a big shiny thing dominates an election campaign and as I write this I am looking at sun is bouncing off the terminal at Doncaster Sheffield Airport, catching the wave design on its roof. There is no need to fly anywhere today. Finningley is warmer than Fuerteventura – but of course you can't go anywhere from here modular terminal opened in 2005 with room and plans for more of them either side if things went well. Seventeen years later, the site is quiet. Peel closed the airport in 2022 and said it wasn't viable anymore. 800 jobs were lost, and that's just the ones directly at the the booklets sent out to all voters here, not one of the 12 candidates comes out as against the airport's planned is a huge decision and potentially a huge gamble. £100m of public money has been put up to try and get flights out of here again. The promise of jobs is also up against environmental concerns about opening a new a plan that will be decided on in the summer – a big moment for a the airport is easier to talk about because it's such a big thing. It would be a tangible success story for a mayor to reopen – but it would also be a key point of scrutiny for them. Are the public getting value for money?Some of the other issues a mayor needs to address are arguably bigger – but perhaps are harder to quantify and sell to the public. 20% of people in Doncaster don't have any qualifications, the second highest rate in the might make you think education would be big topic for candidates, but there are scant mentions of it in their are lower here and there are more people out of work than on average. There are issues to sort out like there are in any northern city, but it doesn't feel like the candidates are talking about it much, if at all.I was at Radio Sheffield's debate last week. Of the seven candidates invited only three turned feels like there has been low engagement so far from candidates. What will that means for voters where turnout has not broken past 30% in the last two polls?Having a mayor in Doncaster was part experiment, part solution. Directly elected mayors were a Labour idea, faster decisions made by one person rather than by committee. Worries about too much power in one person's hands were assuaged by the bruising the town took during Donnygate, a scandal in which 20 former councillors were found guilty of expenses a mayor was meant to draw a line under that but it didn't stop the council making of fallings out between mayors, councillors and chief executives were overshadowed by a failing of the town's children's services. Seven deaths of vulnerable children saw the government step in to run the council. Three of the cases found that social workers had missed chances to has had a mayor in charge of its council for 23 years. It's now a city that has three mayors; civic, city and South places that went with the idea of directly elected mayors two decades ago have ditched it over the last few will elect another one on Thursday and whatever they focus on, it is an enormous job. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
