Doncaster Sheffield Airport to reopen under public ownership despite risk warnings

Doncaster Sheffield Airport is set to return to public ownership within weeks under plans led by the South Yorkshire mayor, despite warnings from officials that the move carries significant commercial risk.

The airport shut in 2022 after its property developer owners declared it financially unviable. The site has one of the longest runways in the north of England, a terminal, extensive parking and transport links. It was once home to the UK's nuclear bombers and the RAF's first female pilot, and later handled about a million passengers a year.

The mayor's office says freight flights are targeted for autumn 2027, with commercial passenger flights modelled for Easter 2028. The reopening plan includes building a fire crew of more than 50 firefighters, including 10 fire apprentices. Supporters point to a petition signed by 130,000 people calling for the airport to reopen.

The deal's terms are commercially confidential until it is signed. The project is expected to use some of the region's gain share funding, which gives the devolved administration about £30 million a year for 30 years. The mayor argues the airport is a major economic asset and that public intervention is justified because the private sector closed it. He says the model is a partnership between public and private sectors, citing Manchester Airport as an example.

But a report to the mayoral combined authority's board warns that buying the airport and surrounding land involves significant inherent commercial risk, now closer to the authority and its broader financial health. It says the airport will make losses in all scenarios in the early years. The previous owner lost money in every one of the 17 years it was open.

Conservative critics call the plan a red flag. They argue the mayor's own officials have identified a big commercial risk and that taxpayers will ultimately carry the cost. The mayor says the project was in his manifesto and that local voters backed the ambition. The deal has also been nicknamed Heathrow North behind the scenes. If it succeeds, it will be presented as a showcase for devolution. If it fails, the financial fallout will sit with the public purse.