Summary
On 9 September 2025, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) took a decisive step by approving a £160 million funding package to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) in phases. This unanimously backed decision marks a pivotal moment in charting the airport’s return as a regional aviation centre, not merely for passengers but as a multi-faceted hub focusing on freight, sustainable aviation, advanced manufacturing, and potentially defence.
Forecasted Timeline for Resuming Operations
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Freight and limited operations are anticipated to resume in winter 2027, with contingency for early activity toward the end of that year.
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Full-scale passenger flights are projected to begin in summer 2028, delivering a return to the skies after nearly three years of closure.
A local campaigner, Mark Chadwick, who led #saveDSA efforts, celebrated the announcement as an “incredible milestone”, reminding supporters of the powerful community movement that helped revive momentum for reopening.
From RAF Finningley to DSA: A Storied Aviation Legacy
Military Beginnings
DSA began life as RAF Finningley, established in the mid-1930s, serving as a vital bomber training facility during WWII and later becoming a key V-Bomber station during the Cold War. It hosted the iconic Avro Vulcan Bombers, including the legendary XH558, during its operational years.
Commercial Transition
Even the Antonov An-225 Mriya visited DSA in 2015. Photo (c) Rob Reedman.
After RAF closure in 1996, the site was transformed into Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield, opening in April 2005 under Peel Group, later rebranded as Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) in 2016. Its long runway—originally built for nuclear-capable bombers—rendered it adept for heavy cargo operations, making it a rare regional facility with strong freight capacity, often seeing Boeing 747 and Antonov An-124 types fly in.
At its peak in 2019, DSA handled over 1.4 million passengers annually, with destinations across Europe, including popular routes to Bucharest, Katowice, Gdańsk, Alicante, and more. TUI Airways, Flybe and Wizz Air all had bases at DSA.
Aviation Assets and Businesses at the Airport
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A Cessna Citation service centre was established on-site from 2012, supporting light business jets.
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The airport housed flying clubs, notably the Yorkshire Aero Club and Hummingbird Helicopters, underscoring its role in general aviation and training.
- 2Excel Aviation based its Boeing 727s and other aircraft at DSA.
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The Avro Vulcan XH558, the last airworthy example of its type, remains preserved at DSA in taxiable condition. Plans for an educational and heritage facility—the Vulcan Aviation Academy & Heritage Centre—promise to keep aviation history alive on-site.
Aviation Significance of the Reopening
From an aviation standpoint, reopening DSA offers several distinct advantages:
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Freight Capability: The infrastructure inherited from its bomber-era layout—most notably the 2,900 m runway—clearly supports heavy cargo aircraft. The early focus on freight operations in winter 2027 suggests strategic use of this capability.
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Strategic Economic Catalyst: Beyond flights, the effort embodies an ambition to build a sustainable aviation and advanced manufacturing hub at Gateway East, combining aviation operations with industrial innovation.
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Community & Heritage Integration: Keeping the Vulcan XH558 on-site and launching a heritage academy strengthens the airport’s cultural and educational linkages, blending operational aspirations with public engagement.
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Restoration of Regional Air Connectivity: DSA’s closure in November 2022 left South Yorkshire as one of the UK’s largest urban areas without a commercial airport. Its phased reopening would reestablish vital air links, supporting business, tourism, and regional growth.
What are your thoughts? Looking forward to seeing aircraft use Doncaster Sheffield again, or is the regional already saturated with airports? Leave a comment below.
