AN ABANDONED airport home to one of the UK’s longest runways is set to reopen as early as next year.
Commercial passenger flights at the airfield are expected to restart sometime in the next two years.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport is set to reopen as soon as this year after shutting down in 2022.
The site was previously considered no longer financially sustainable and since closing has remained abandoned and partially derelict.
During this time, regional developers have been pushing for a major overhaul of the former transport hub, costing around £160 million through a public-funded reopening programme.
The proposals have received the support of local councils, and the site is projected to resume cargo operations as early as this year, with passenger flights slated to resume in late 2027 or early 2028.
The airfield also boasts one of the UK’s longest runways, measuring 1.8miles and once operational again, will be the eighth longest commercial runway in England.
The longest runway can be found at London Heathrow, measuring 2.4miles, and runs parallel with the second longest runway also found at the airport, measuring 2.2miles.
Executive director for Airport Operations at FlyDoncaster, Simon Hinchley, said: “As we work towards re-opening Doncaster Sheffield Airport, our focus is firmly on building a safe, efficient and operationally robust airport that is ready to serve a broad range of users from day one.”
Director of FlyDoncaster, Christian Foster, previously revealed that the airport revamp was progressing well, but that the extensive development and new recruitment process takes time.
Airlines such as TUI and Wizz Air used to be found at Doncaster Sheffield Airport, but currently it has not been confirmed who will be flying to and from the transport hub.
The airport is also keen to showcase the region, having independent vendors on-site rather than larger chains.
The airport will be kitted out with the latest technology and security lanes and systems are expected to move as their original location was in an unideal area of the site.
A project of this size has previously been described as transformative for the area.
The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, which is one of the backers on the project, previously stated their rationale for investing in the development.
They said: “Doncaster Sheffield Airport closed in November 2022, leaving South Yorkshire one of the largest UK city regions without an international aviation presence.
“South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, and Council Leaders have taken a historic decision to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport, approving a £160 million funding package that will see commercial flights return to the region.”
Doncaster Sheffield Airport first opened in 1915, and operated as a Royal Flying Corps airfield in the First World War.
The transport hub then served as an RAF base before being transformed into a commercial airport in 2005.
The airport was previously called Robin Hood Airport, referencing the folklore of the region.