Doncaster Sheffield Airport: boost for reopening plans as figures show increase in package holiday bookings
Plans to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) have been handed a boost as figures revealed that package holiday bookings are expected to increase by 5 per cent this year.
The Civil Aviation Authority, which administers the Atol travel financial protection scheme, forecast that 200,000 more holidaymakers will book trips in January compared with the 4.3 million who did so during the same month in 2025.
Holiday companies expect a 5 per cent increase in demand for trips in the year to the end of September compared with the previous 12 months.
The figures are good news for DSA, which is due to restart commercial flights from late 2027 to early 2028.
The reopening is being funded by £193m of public money, which has been allocated by South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard and the UK Government towards the project, and a £57m loan by City of Doncaster Council to front-load the funds.
Officials are currently in talks with airlines, including Tui,one of the world’s biggest package holiday operators.
Tui and Wizz Air were the final two airlines to operate from DSA when it closed in 2022, and both have been in discussions about returning.
Save DSA’s Mark Chadwick said the figures were “great news for UK aviation and tourism”.
“Any passenger growth adds real momentum behind the business case that has been put forward for Doncaster Sheffield Airport,” he told The Yorkshire Post.
“There’s a strong and vibrant growing catchment area to connect our region to the world.
“With other airports close to capacity, then this can only be a good thing for DSA.
“If the package holiday demand rises, then tour operators often find there are limited attractive slots at other airports.”
The airport’s MP Lee Pitcher, who represents Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme, said: “The news today regarding increased forecasts for passenger numbers is great to see, and can only be good news for Doncaster Sheffield Airport as we prepare our doors for opening.
“It certainly is an exciting time in our journey to see flights take off above Donny's sky again.”
Fellow Labour MP, Doncaster Central’s Sally Jameson added: “It’s fantastic to see these projections which confirm that there is real appetite for a regional airport in South Yorkshire.
“It won’t be long now until Doncaster takes off once again and we are all looking forward to seeing the economic prosperity it will bring to our communities.”
Yesterday, Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones gave a brief update on the airport and confirmed officials were continuing to have meetings with the CAA and the Department for Transport to reopen the airspace.
She said a chair has been appointed for the Airport Consultative Committee, with the first meeting taking place later this month.
A design brief is being prepared to refurbish the terminal ahead of the reopening, while procurement is starting for key infrastructure and equipment.