The reopening of DSA has taken a ‘major step’ forward with the city council signing a 125-year lease to take over the airport.
The council now needs to find a suitable airport operator.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport has been closed to air traffic for nearly a year and a half.
Owners Peel Group halted operations in November 2022, saying the airport was no longer financially viable.
In the 17 years it was open, DSA never generated a net profit.
“This is a significant day in our ambition to reopen the airport,” said Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones.
“This is a major step in the reopening process. The next is appointing an operator and investor who will manage and develop the airport.”
Before closing its main airline customers were Wizz Air and TUI.
At its height, the airport handled about one million passengers annually.
Peel shuttered the airport after a strategic review found it ‘not viable due to a lack of adequate forward revenues and high operating costs.’
The South Yorkshire Authority has earmarked £138million to Doncaster Council for lease costs.
Peel Group said: “We are pleased to have reached agreement with the Council.
Mayor Jones said the search for an airport operator was ‘well underway.’
The council hopes to make an announcement about this within a few weeks.
Tags: Ros Jones Peel Group, South Yorkshire Authority, Doncaster Sheffield Airport
