South Yorkshire mayor Oliver Coppard has pledged a further £30 million to reopen the airport, which has been closed since November 2022 when owner Peel Group said it was no longer financially viable.
The announcement will enable the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA), South Yorkshire’s regional governing body, to use the devolved funding to invest in turning Doncaster Sheffield into a "sustainable aviation hub".
According to the government, reopening Doncaster Sheffield airport will support 5,000 jobs, boost the economy by £5 billion and provide £2 billion in wider benefits by 2050.
“Since day one, we have been fighting for our airport so we can create good jobs in the industries of the future and play our part in developing the sustainable aviation technologies of tomorrow,” said Coppard on Wednesday (9 April). “To now have the support of a government who doesn’t just understand that opportunity but truly wants to help us realise it couldn’t be more important.”
The government has established a working group featuring representatives from Doncaster Council and SYMCA to explore how the project could unlock additional benefits to the region.
Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said efforts such as reopening DSA were emblematic of the Labour government’s growth agenda.
"If we are to really grow our economy and put money into the pockets of working people, regional growth needs to be hardwired into the decisions that we make,” she sad.
“That’s why we have wasted no time in kick starting local growth plans, owned by local leaders, and why, through our bold devolution plans, we can back our mayors and get opportunities for jobs and growth off the ground – just as they will with this thriving regional airport.”
Transport secretary Heidi Alexander added: "I’m thrilled to see devolved funding for South Yorkshire being used to revitalise the airport project, and boost the region as a whole, and I look forward to the first flights taking to the sky."
The government’s backing for DSA follows its support for expansion at Heathrow and Gatwick, and most recently, Luton airport.
It also comes after it was confirmed that Munich Airport International will provide operational and management services to Fly Doncaster, the company set up by City of Doncaster Council to run the airport.
