ONE UK airport which closed in 2022 is taking another step closer to welcoming passengers back.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport closed after becoming “commercially unviable” and has been left empty since, but it has now announced it’s set to come under public ownership.
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard called the deal a “major milestone” towards reopening the airport.
According to reports, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) will buy the airport becoming the freehold owner and landlord to the City of Doncaster Council lease.
Oliver Coppard said that the airport being bought by SYMCA would also “provide long-term control, certainty and flexibility” and attract private investment too.
The proposals are subject to approval next week.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport is preparing to reopen to passengers in 2028 as part of a £193million project.
Before it closed, the regional airport acted as a gateway to Europe for those living in the north of England.
It had airlines like TUI and Wizz Air and flew to the likes of Spain and Portugal.
When it reopens, it’s possible certain routes could be reinstated, as well as longer ones too.
The airport is home to one of the longest runways in Europe, measuring 2,893 metres, which means it could host big jets for long-haul journeys.
As of yet, no airlines have been confirmed for when the airport reopens.
Christian Foster, Director of FlyDoncaster – the company set up to manage the airport – told Sun Travel: “It does feel like the world has changed post-Covid, whereas people were focused on two weeks in Spain or Greece, nowadays we’re seeing a lot of people keen to take city breaks.”
“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.“
Another plan for the airport is that when it opens, it will have local businesses rather than chains like Costa or Starbucks.
There would be a mixture of restaurants, bars and shops as well as seating.