Sign in Subscribe
Mayors

Doncaster Sheffield Airport Reopening Timeline Unclear as Mayors Offer Contradictory Statements

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Last week, South Yorkshire Labour mayor Oliver Coppard warned that re-opening Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) was a long-term project with a decision on funding due next week. However, Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones had previously stated that the airport would be back in business by 2026. Jones has now issued a statement outlining her position, citing interdependencies out of her control, such as airspace and aerodrome certification. Mayor Coppard later weighed in, stating that DSA would likely not reach full operational capacity until 2028, with commercial passenger flights unlikely before then.

Key Takeaways:

  • Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) reopening timeline is uncertain, with Mayor Ros Jones stating that a decision will be made after the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Gainshare decision on September 9.
  • Jones expects freight services to commence in summer 2026, followed by passenger flights towards the end of 2027, but this is dependent on various factors, including airspace and aerodrome certification.
  • Mayor Oliver Coppard stated that DSA would likely not reach full operational capacity until 2028, with commercial passenger flights unlikely before then.
  • Coppard has refuted social media commentary questioning his commitment to reopening DSA, stating that he wants the airport to thrive and create economic opportunities for the community.
  • Coppard highlighted his efforts in facilitating a visit from the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, which resulted in a £30m package to support DSA's reopening.
  • There are still challenges to overcome before DSA can reopen, with Coppard stating that he cannot say for certain if the airport will reopen and create a world-leading sustainable aviation hub at Gateway East.

Statistics:

  • £150 million: The estimated amount of public money that could be spent on the DSA project (Source: Mayor Oliver Coppard).
  • £30 million: The package announced by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister to support DSA's reopening (Source: Mayor Oliver Coppard).
  • 2026: The year in which Mayor Ros Jones expects freight services to commence at DSA (Source: Mayor Ros Jones).
  • 2027: The year in which Mayor Ros Jones expects passenger flights to commence at DSA (Source: Mayor Ros Jones).
  • 2028: The year in which Mayor Oliver Coppard states that DSA will likely not reach full operational capacity (Source: Mayor Oliver Coppard).

Sources:

  • Oliver Coppard, Mayor of South Yorkshire Labour, speech to Doncaster Chamber
  • Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, statement regarding the re-opening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport
  • "South Yorkshire Mayor Defends Plan to Reopen Doncaster Airport" (BBC News)
  • "Doncaster Sheffield Airport Reopening: What We Know So Far" (Doncaster Free Press)

Read more