Abandoned UK airport set to reopen after £160million project

Doncaster Sheffield Airport is expected to reopen this year after a £160million revamp project. The airport closed in 2022 and was left partially abandoned after operator Peel Group declared it was no longer financially viable. The ambitious reopening plan, supported by local councils, will see the airport resuming cargo flights this year and commercial passenger flights by 2027. Doncaster Sheffield Airport is currently working with operator Fly Doncaster to find suitable airport operational partners. Simon Hinchley, Executive Director for Airport Operations at FlyDoncaster, 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.” The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority explained: “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 re-open Doncaster Sheffield Airport, approving a £160million funding package that will see commercial flights return to the region.” According to Fly Doncaster, the new terminal will have capacity for up to four million travellers. The airport is expected to generate £5billion for the regional economy by 2050. Doncaster Sheffield Airport first opened in 1915 as a military airfield and RAF base established by the Royal Flying Corps during World War 1 to intercept German Zeppelins. Doncaster Sheffield Airport was formerly known as Robin Hood Airport, due to its association with the Robin Hood legend, located in South Yorkshire. The airport has one of the longest runways in the country, measuring 2,895 meters, as it was originally designed to have some of the world's largest and heaviest aircraft. Doncaster Sheffield became a passenger airport in 2005.