Plans for South Yorkshire's Mayor to buy Doncaster Sheffield Airport formally approved by leaders
The plans mean passenger flights could take off from 2028
Last updated 27th Oct 2026
Today a meeting of South Yorkshire's Mayoral Combined Authority formally approved plans to buy Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
The deal will also bring the adjacent Innovation Quarter employment land site into public ownership. It'll be buying it from Peel land.
The decision, taken at the SYMCA Board meeting, gives the go-ahead for SYMCA to enter into an agreement with Peel Land, with work continuing between the parties to finalise the deal.
South Yorkshire's Mayor Oliver Coppard said:
“Today is a big step on the journey to reopening Doncaster Sheffield Airport and building a world leading sustainable aviation hub at Gateway East. All four Leaders across South Yorkshire have joined me in backing our deal to bring DSA and the adjacent Innovation Quarter employment land back into public ownership, putting one of the biggest and best growth opportunities in our region – and our future – back in our hands.
“Four years ago, we were told our airport was closing. Alongside Ros Jones, I promised I would do everything I could to save it, but I’d always put the interests of taxpayers at the heart of any decision. I meant it. And that’s why I’m so pleased we’ve got that deal over the line today, because it means I’ve kept that promise.
“We’ve had to work incredibly hard to get here. After months of negotiations with Peel, and the greater flexibility and confidence we now have as a result of devolution, we’ve reached a deal that I genuinely believe can offer huge opportunity to people across South Yorkshire.
“There's still work to do, not least Peel now need to formally approve the deal, and there’s some legal process to get through. But today we’ve taken another huge step towards an airport owned and controlled by us, for us.
“My focus is now on getting our airport open, creating thousands of good jobs and realising the massive potential of one of South Yorkshire’s biggest economic opportunities, so everyone here can stay near and go far”
Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones said:
"I would like to thank my fellow South Yorkshire leaders for backing our plans to not only fully reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport, but to buy the freehold and further employment land at Gateway East.
“From Day 1, I pledged to do everything I could to save our airport because I truly believe that is the right thing for Doncaster. Fully reopening the people’s airport is my number one priority and one that I have continued to fight for along with the steadfast support of our communities, businesses and local campaigners.
“The decision made today to buy the freehold of Doncaster Sheffield Airport, simply wasn’t on the table four years ago, bringing this airport back under public ownership is what I have wanted from the start. Now we have this opportunity to secure the future through this partnership plan alongside buying the freehold and I am confident it will work and unlock huge potential for the City of Doncaster, South Yorkshire and the North of England."
Stephen Wild, Managing Director of Peel Land, said: "We note the outcome of today's meeting and will continue to work jointly with SYMCA to seek to finalise the transaction."
City of Doncaster Council's Cabinet will hold a meeting on 28th October to discuss the transitional arrangements and matters arising out of this decision for City of Doncaster Council.
South Yorkshire’s Mayor will host a public meeting at 6pm on Monday 9th November at the Club Doncaster Sports Village to provide an update on Doncaster Sheffield Airport and answer questions from the public.
The airport has been shut since 2022.
Freight services are planned to return from Autumn 2027, with passenger services returning Spring 2028, subject to the completion of the regulatory and operational work required to reopen the airport.