A 125-year lease to take over the former Doncaster Sheffield Airport has been signed, Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones has announced.
She said the lease agreement is the first stage in the process to reopen the airport, and the next stage would be the appointment of an airport operator to manage the operational airport.
“This is a significant day in our ambition to reopen the airport as the lease has been signed. I was determined to find a way to secure the future of aviation in Doncaster and this agreement helps us along the way to reopening our airport and seeing planes taking off once again.
“I am optimistic that I can announce a partnership later in the spring. I would like to personally thank Doncaster Council officers who have worked tirelessly with great dedication, insight, determination and skill to get us to where we are today. This has been no mean feat. Let’s look forward to the future with an airport that will help boost the economic and growth fortunes of our city, South Yorkshire and the north.
“I would also like to thank my fellow South Yorkshire Leaders for backing the efforts of me and this council to save and reopen our airport. This airport is for the whole of South Yorkshire.”
The lease signing forms part of the South Yorkshire Airport City programme which City of Doncaster Council put in place dedicated to working towards reopening the airport. The programme covers all the technical, legal, procurement and financial work necessary to progress securing the site and preparing essential requirements ahead of a partnership with an operator.
The programme is not the name of the airport which is yet to be determined.
