DONCASTER Sheffield Airport has taken a big step forward towards its reopening.
Approval has been given by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to move forward with a crucial stage in order for the airport to welcome back passengers.
The CAA has said that the hub can go ahead with its public consultation on the Airspace Change Proposal (ACP).
Locals and stakeholders get to state their opinion about its reopening – a necessary step in the process.
The consultation period for comments will be open from August 3 to October 4.
Christian Foster, Director for FlyDoncaster Ltd, operators of Doncaster Sheffield Airport said: “A reopening project of this scale includes a number of important milestones, but being able to go out to public consultation around our airspace is one that is absolutely crucial.
“We want to hear the views of people from across Doncaster and beyond, so that they can have a meaningful say about the airspace connected to this airport.
“As a community asset, it’s vital that we engage with those who live and work nearby to us and ensure we listen to the views of local people.”
Doncaster Sheffield Airport closed back in 2022 but could reopen to passengers in as little as two years’ time.
The regional airport in the north of England provided a gateway to Europe for those living in and around Doncaster up until four years ago, after it was deemed ‘not financially viable’, and closed.
However, in an extremely rare case, the airport is scheduled to reopen as soon as next year – with passenger planes set to start in 2028.
Previously, Doncaster Sheffield Airport was home to airlines like TUI and Wizz Air – but none have been confirmed to return to the hub yet.
Christian Foster, Director of FlyDoncaster – the company set up to manage the airport – told us: “It does feel like the world has changed post-Covid, whereas people were focused two weeks in Spain or Greece, nowadays we’re seeing a lot of people keen to take city breaks.”
When talking of where he would like to fly, he said: “We’d love to fly to places like Croatia, and other destinations that are a bit more quirky like Azerbaijan.
“We’re keen to look at emerging places to visit as well, like India.“