The move follows the closure of the airport in 2022 after owners Peel Group claimed it was no longer financially viable following the departure of Wizz Air, leaving Tui the only regular customer.

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has agreed the funds to help build a case for a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) currently being undertaken by City of Doncaster Council. 

South Yorkshire and four other councils also agreed an undisclosed funding package towards the purchase of the airport, should the CPO succeed. 

South Yorkshire’s mayor Oliver Coppard said: “We haven’t given up on our fight to reopen DSA. We’re not going to stop until we’ve exhausted every option.”

He said the CPO was “our last, best hope to take back control of DSA” and said the process could take up to two years.

The councils said research carried out following the closure found the airport had supported around 2,700 jobs and contributed more than £100 million to the regional economy.