Roberta Aguirre
Doncaster Sheffield Airport has been closed since November 2022, when its owner, the Peel Group, deemed it financially unviable. The airport is set to reopen in spring 2026 with a new operator, FlyDoncaster, a company established by Doncaster Council, and German firm Munich Airport International (MAI) providing operational and management services. While MAI has not yet announced the airlines or destinations, they have stated that they are targeting a minimum of four to five airlines, including TUI, which operated flights to Cyprus and Spain before the airport's closure. Doncaster Council is also working to increase freight traffic and expand the site.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Airlines | 5 |
| Previous Airlines | TUI, Wizz Air |
| Potential Airlines | TUI |
| Operators | FlyDoncaster, Doncaster Council, Munich Airport International (MAI) |
| Owner | Peel Group |
| Reopening Date | Spring 2026 |
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What You'll Learn
- Doncaster Sheffield Airport was closed in November 2022 due to financial inviability
- TUI was the only operator at the time of closing
- Doncaster Council has set up FlyDoncaster to run the airport
- German firm Munich Airport International (MAI) will provide operational and management services
- The airport is set to reopen by spring 2026 with five airlines
Doncaster Sheffield Airport was closed in November 2022 due to financial inviability
Doncaster Sheffield Airport, also known as Robin Hood Airport, was closed in November 2022 due to financial inviability. The airport had been experiencing difficulties for years, with fluctuating passenger numbers, the withdrawal of key operators, and a lack of commercial viability.
The closure of the airport was announced by the British infrastructure and property investment firm Peel Group, which cited these challenges as the reason for its decision to wind down aviation services at the site. Despite efforts by the local council and the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) to keep the airport open, including a proposed grant to cover operating losses until October 2023, Peel Group declined the offer and moved forward with the closure.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport served as a base for several airlines, including Thompson, Thomas Cook, First Choice, Airtours, Direct Holidays, and Balkan Holidays. It offered flights to various destinations, such as popular resorts, cities, and winter destinations.
The impact of the closure was felt by the local community and businesses, and Peel Group has committed to working with stakeholders to redevelop the site in a way that brings new opportunities for growth and prosperity to the area. The future vision includes attracting cutting-edge technology businesses and creating "vibrant, job-creating alternatives."
Reopening the airport remains a priority for the City of Doncaster Council, which has approved a £10 million funding package to support this goal by Spring 2026. Despite the challenges, there is a dedicated effort to bring aviation back to Doncaster and restore its status as a major employer in the region.
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TUI was the only operator at the time of closing
Doncaster Sheffield Airport has been closed since November 2022, when TUI was its only operator. Previously, several airlines had offered flights from Doncaster Sheffield Airport, including Thomson, Thomas Cook, First Choice, Airtours, Direct Holidays, Balkan Holidays, Crystal, Thomson Ski, Goldtrail, P&O, Fred Olsen, and Princess Cruises. However, by the time of its closure, only TUI remained.
The airport's closure was announced by its owner, Peel Group, who deemed it financially unviable. This decision left many passengers and airlines disappointed, particularly TUI, which had been a long-time supporter of the airport. Despite this setback, there is now a plan in place for the airport's reopening, with FlyDoncaster, a company established by Doncaster Council, taking over operations.
The new operators are confident about the airport's financial viability and have set a tentative reopening date for spring 2026. They aim to secure at least four to five airlines, a strategy supported by the council, which recognises the need for a diverse range of carriers. This approach is expected to boost the airport's appeal and financial prospects.
Discussions with potential airlines are already underway, and while the operators remain tight-lipped about specific airlines and destinations, they assure the public that exciting developments are on the horizon. The airport's previous carriers, like TUI, which offered flights to Cyprus and Spain, are also considering a return.
The council is committed to enhancing the airport's infrastructure and services, including expanding the site and quadrupling freight traffic. With these improvements and the support of Munich Airport International, Doncaster Sheffield Airport aims to become a thriving travel hub once again.
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Doncaster Council has set up FlyDoncaster to run the airport
Doncaster Sheffield Airport, also known as Robin Hood Airport, is a lively, vibrant, busy, and modern airport. The airport has previously been run by owners who attempted to sell off the land. However, Doncaster Council has now stepped in to prevent this from happening again by setting up FlyDoncaster, a publicly-owned company, to operate the airport. The council's decision has received praise from the people of South Yorkshire, who are eager to see the airport reopen.
FlyDoncaster is a wholly-owned limited company of the City of Doncaster Council, receiving council funding to support essential work to meet Civil Aviation Authority's certification standards. The council has also secured an international airport operator, Munich Airport International GmbH (MAI), to provide operational and management services, along with FP Airports Ltd, UK aviation sector specialists.
The key initial role of FlyDoncaster is to mobilise the reopening of the airport for passenger flights, with the target date set for Spring 2026. Doncaster Council has also provided loans totalling £105.2 million to support the airport's reopening. This has been a controversial decision, with some arguing that the funds could be better spent on projects addressing the climate crisis.
Despite the controversy, the project has received unanimous support from Labour MPs and Labour councillors across South Yorkshire. The people of Doncaster and South Yorkshire are eager to see the airport reopen, with many expressing their support and looking forward to flying from Doncaster again.
With the support of strategic partners and funding from the council, FlyDoncaster is working towards welcoming passengers again and adding new routes and airlines to Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
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German firm Munich Airport International (MAI) will provide operational and management services
Doncaster Sheffield Airport, also known as Robin Hood Airport, is set to reopen in spring 2026 with the help of German firm Munich Airport International (MAI). MAI, a subsidiary of Flughafen München GmbH, will provide operational and management services to FlyDoncaster, a company set up by the Doncaster Council to run the airport.
MAI has a proven track record, with over 125 successfully delivered projects across more than 45 countries. The firm is described as "one of Europe's most successful airport operators" and is committed to turning DSA into "a top modern and competitive UK airport". In addition to its vast international experience, MAI also manages airports in Bulgaria, Honduras, and El Salvador, and Terminal A at Newark Liberty International Airport near New York.
MAI will be joined by UK firm FP Airports, which specialises in strategies for retaining viable aviation infrastructure. FP Airports will support the leadership, relicensing, and reinstatement of the airport's suspended airspace. Together, MAI and FP Airports will work to ensure the successful reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport and the continuation of popular flight routes.
Airlines that operate from Doncaster Sheffield Airport include Thomson, Thomas Cook, First Choice, Airtours, Direct Holidays, Balkan Holidays, Crystal Ski, Thomson Ski, Goldtrail, P&O, Fred Olsen, and Princess Cruises. The airport's management is keen to continue adding new routes and welcoming new airlines. With the help of MAI and FP Airports, Doncaster Sheffield Airport is poised to thrive once again.
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The airport is set to reopen by spring 2026 with five airlines
Doncaster Sheffield Airport is set to reopen by spring 2026 with five airlines. The airport has been closed since November 2022 when its owner, the Peel Group, announced that it was no longer financially viable. At the time, TUI was the only airline operating from the airport, offering flights to Cyprus and Spain.
The new operators of Doncaster Sheffield Airport, FlyDoncaster, a company established by Doncaster Council, have expressed confidence in its financial viability upon reopening. German firm Munich Airport International (MAI) will provide operational and management services. MAI's managing director, Dr Lutz Weisser, stated that while it was too early to announce specific airlines or destinations, they have been in lengthy and confidential discussions with several airlines.
Christian Foster, council programme director and director of FlyDoncaster, outlined the plans for the airport's future, emphasizing the need for a diverse range of carriers. He stated that their strategy includes targeting a minimum of four to five airlines and working towards restoring 24-hour airspace for the next year.
Doncaster Council agreed to a 125-year lease on the former Doncaster Sheffield Airport from the Peel Group, who still owns the airport. The council is targeting an increase in freight volume, aiming to quadruple the amount of freight traffic to about 100,000 tonnes. They also intend to operate the airport with tighter fiscal control and have ambitions to expand the site.
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Frequently asked questions
Doncaster Sheffield Airport has been closed since November 2022, when TUI was the only operator. The airport is set to reopen in spring 2026 with five airlines, although the specific airlines have not yet been announced.
Previously, Doncaster Sheffield Airport also had flights operated by Wizz Air. Other airlines that have flown from the airport include Thompson, Thomas Cook, First Choice, Airtours, and more.
The airport's owner, Peel Group, shut it down due to financial inviability, with the airport only serving flights from TUI at the time.
The airport will be operated by FlyDoncaster, a company established by Doncaster Council, with German firm Munich Airport International (MAI) providing operational and management services. The council aims to secure at least four to five airlines, increase freight traffic, and expand the site.
