Plans to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport may not see passenger flights operating until 2028, according to updated timelines from South Yorkshire authorities. The £150 million redevelopment project, awaiting approval next month, had previously targeted a 2026 launch for commercial flights.
The airport, closed in 2022 by former owners Peel after sustained financial losses, would be operated by a council-owned company if local devolution funds are released. Revised projections indicate that full passenger operations could take several years beyond the initial estimates, reflecting the scale of investment and regulatory approvals required.
The delay highlights ongoing challenges in regional airport redevelopment, including infrastructure upgrades, commercial viability, and securing operational funding. Local business leaders have been briefed on the new timetable, which positions the airport’s commercial relaunch as a medium-term economic development initiative rather than an immediate boost to air travel connectivity.
