Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Consultation opens into airspace plans for reopening of airport
A consultation period which could be crucial for plans to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport has opened today.
Residents, people who work nearby and other stakeholders are being encouraged to have their say about plans for the airspace around Doncaster Sheffield Airport, which has been closed since 2022 after owner Peel said it was no longer commercially viable.
The reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport has been controversial due to the used of public money and some of the conditions of the lease agreement.
However, new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been urged to back the reopening plans by the local Chamber of Commerce.
The consultation is part of the official ‘airspace change process’ (ACP) which must be adhered to ahead of any reopening.
It launches today and runs until October 4, 2026.
The consultation, which has previously been described as ‘crucial’ by airport bosses, is around plans to seek control of the airspace around the airport.
This will allow more control over the aircraft using the airport and introduce arrival and departure routes.
As part of the consultation plans, bosses behind the reopening plans are delivering leaflets to nearby households and leaving consultation materials in 14 different locations, as well as holding webinars and in-person events where members of the team can answer questions posed by the public.
Christian Foster, Director for FlyDoncaster Ltd, operator of Doncaster Sheffield Airport said: “We want to hear from people who live or work in the district and surrounding areas. This is a genuine chance to feed-back your views and have your say, as the airport rapidly approaches reopening.”
“Recertifying controlled airspace around this airport opens up massive opportunities with airlines and other aviation partners. We’re extremely pleased to have now launched this consultation and would like to thank the Civil Aviation Authority and our expert partners for their hard work in getting us to this point.”
“We’ve been blown away by the interest in this project, not just from residents, but also from business looking to locate here and from airlines wanting to run services to and from here. We’re well on track to return flights to Doncaster, alongside the huge economic opportunities that will bring.”
The in-person events are being held at; Bawtry Mayflower School, Station Road, in Bawtry, from 2pm to 7pm on August 13; St. Joseph’s Parish Centre, 101 Wingfield Ave, in Worksop, from 2pm to 7pm on August 19; Finningley Village Hall, Rectory Ln, in Finningley, from 2pm to 7pm on September 2; Thornesians Rugby Club, Church Balk, in Thorne, from 2pm to 7pm on September 10 and finally at The Corn Exchange, Market Place, in Doncaster, from 10.30am to 2.30pm on September 19.
In addition, documents can be viewed at a number of locations during the consultation period:
- Danum Gallery and the Civic Offices, Doncaster City Centre
- Live Well Isle of Axholme, Epworth
- S4ALL Community Library, Stainforth
- Bawtry Community Library, Bawtry
- Thorne Library, Thorne
- Harworth & Bircotes Library, Harworth
- Crowle Library, Crowl
- Maltby Library & Neighbourhood Hub, Maltby
- Dinnington Library & Neighbourhood Hub, Dinnington
- Worksop Library, Worksop
- Retford Library, Retford
- Tickhill Library, Tickhill
- Rossington Community Library, Rossington
- Haxey Library / Memorial Hall, Haxey
A statement from FlyDoncaster added: “While responses cannot be collected the phone or by email, those wishing to secure physical copies of feedback forms and are unable to attend in-person events or document locations can contact the consultation team by emailing [email protected] or calling 0800 043 3099.”
The news comes amid continued uncertainty over future funding for the project, following a private briefing for city councillors where officials said funding could “run out” by September 2026.
Multiple sources with knowledge of the briefing said that if £160million in funding is not released by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority by its Board meeting that month, then the reopening “is over basically”.
The funding is subject to the successful renegotiation of the airport lease with the landowners, the Peel Group.
Any details of the renegotiation have been kept strictly confidential, however, both Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones and the South Yorkshire Mayor, Oliver Coppard, have claimed there has been positive progress.