Early flights could take off from Doncaster Sheffield Airport this year
Domestic flights on private jets and medical aircraft could start taking off from Doncaster Sheffield Airport after May.
Private jets, medical aircraft and leisure pilots could all take off from Doncaster Sheffield Airport this year, as it seeks to hire an operator to run private flights.
DSA today launched its call for a fixed base operator (FBO), which MP Lee Pitcher said is “one step closer to planes back in the skies above Doncaster”.
The FBO will set up for private flights to run from the airport, such as private jets or medical aircraft.
This would include an executive lounge and facilities for leisure pilots to fly off from DSA, as well as providing parking and fuelling.
Customers could include football teams - as was the case in 2022 with the Lionesses before their Euro 2022 semi-final before DSA closed - or people and businesses flying in for the St Ledger festival at Doncaster Racecourse.
These could be some of the first flights to take off at the reopened airport, with domestic routes operating after the FBO is selected in May.
Freight flights are currently slated to start in 2027, with commercial flights potentially from the end of next year.
Christian Foster, director at FlyDoncaster, said: “We’re delighted to take this next step in the journey towards opening Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
“Our team is committed to delivering a seamless, efficient and premium experience for both passengers and operators, and the partners we work with are vital to the airport’s future success.
“The selected FBO will benefit from the strong infrastructure already in place at Doncaster Sheffield Airport, while playing an important role in re‑establishing the airport as a centre for high‑quality aviation services."
Mr Pitcher, the Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme MP, added: “This crucial next step is testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved behind the scenes to get our airport back open and operational.
“A Fixed Base Operator working from DSA will put us one step closer to planes back in the skies above Doncaster.
“It also shows how committed FlyDoncaster is to securing as wide a base of operations from the site as possible, guaranteeing DSA’s success far into the future. This is fantastic news.”
The announcement has been made with doubt cast over the reopening plans by Doncaster’s Reform councillors.
Group leader Coun Craig Ward has called for an emergency council meeting to review the £57m loan to kickstart the project, which was approved by councillors last November.
The borrowing was used to set up Fly Doncaster, the arms-length body which is reopening the airport, and frontload the funding to ensure the project can get up and running, with flights planned for next year.
An additional £160m from South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard will be allocated incrementally up to 2050.
However, the scale of the public investment and certain terms of the lease from owner Peel Group, which have been revealed by The Yorkshire Post, have triggered questions about the project.
An extraordinary meeting has been set for April 30 by Doncaster Council, where the decision will be debated.
Coun Ward has said “Reform UK supports the reopening of DSA”, while Labour Mayor Ros Jones has claimed that cancelling the loan will “kill” the airport project.