City of Doncaster’s Cabinet has backed a key stage towards the full reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
Cabinet agreed for City of Doncaster Council (CDC) to accept funding from South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and support the governance and financial steps needed in the next stage of progress in the journey to seeing the airport functional again.
Supporting a thriving airport and its long-term future would ensure a positive and optimistic future for Doncaster and the wider region and is seen as ‘an asset of national significance’, said the report that was considered yesterday.
The report states: “Therefore, a proposition that utilises external resources for the purpose of reopening of DSA which acts as a catalyst for housing, jobs, skills and economic growth are hugely significant to Doncaster. The rationale for the recommendations is to provide the very best possible scenario for Doncaster, simply there is no other proposition that can deliver this impact and scale of opportunities.”
The report brings together the financial approvals required as well as an overall funding outlook and forecasts. It asked for approval for the remaining financial elements including acceptance of the SYMCA funding that was agreed in September.
It outlined the work of the South Yorkshire Airport City (SYAC) programme, the initiative to fully reopen the airport, and the stages that have been completed up to this point, including the establishment of FlyDoncaster Ltd, the council-owned operator, and work with strategic partners Munich Airport International, Cyrrus and Trax International.
Mayor Ros Jones said: “I want Doncaster Sheffield Airport to be a success for our city, the wider region and the north. Today’s approval takes us a vital step further along that journey. As I have previously said, reopening the airport is a massive undertaking but one that is vital for the future prosperity, well-being and economic growth of our city, our region and UK PLC.
“This is the largest single investment in Doncaster for more than a generation, with unrivalled economy opportunities for our residents and businesses, it has gone through scrutiny and extensive due diligence over the last 12 months and now I just want to see our airport fully reopened.
“I now look forward to discussing this further at Full Council later this month where I hope that vision for Doncaster is supported.”
A decision in relation to additional borrowing requirements will now progress to Full Council which meets on 27 November.
Forecasts show operating losses of around £81 million across the first nine years of operation, from 2026 to 2034, followed by pre-tax profits of up to £230 million by 2049. Annual operating costs are expected to range between £5.5 million and £9.4 million over the 24-year financial plan.
