TAKE OFF
Abandoned UK airport that offered budget flights to Spain and Cyprus reveals plans to re-open after two-year closure
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AN ABANDONED UK airport that once offered budget flights to Spain and Cyprus has revealed plans to re-open after a two-year closure.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport shut in 2022 after Wizz Air confirmed it would terminate the majority of its flights from the airport.
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The airport, also known as the Robin Hood Airport, is located in Finningley near Doncaster and previously served millions of travellers heading to holiday destinations.
It opened to passengers in 2005 and was one of only two commercial international airports in Yorkshire.
Within its first year, it became the 23rd largest airport in the UK, and by 2007, it had served an impressive 2.28 million passengers.
The first commercial flight from Doncaster Sheffield Airport was to Palma de Majorca, and it has since flown travellers to destinations across Greece, Portugal, and France.
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The airport's reopening is expected to delight nearby residents, who will be eager to once again use the popular travel hub.
Mayor Ros Jones stated that she intends to keep "councillors, residents, and businesses updated" as plans progress to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
She added: "The procurement of an operator is in its final stages of due diligence, we have regular meetings with investors, businesses and airlines.
"We have submitted a Statement of Need to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in relation to re-establishing our airspace, this will soon be publicly available via the CAA website, I cannot emphasise enough the importance of retaining our airspace, our MPs continue to engage with the Aviation Minister in relation to this."
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Mark Chadwick, a garage owner, is part of the Save Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) campaign.
He revealed that a major announcement regarding the airport's reopening is expected in the coming weeks and encouraged people to sign a petition advocating for the reinstatement of the airport's airspace.
Abandoned UK airport is ‘weeks away’ from being given go-ahead to reopen – with plans to restart flights by 2028
The garage owner stated that the council was in discussions with potential operators and urged campaign members to remain patient as due diligence is conducted.
He said: "The purpose of due diligence is to mitigate risks, ensure legal compliance, and contribute to effective decision-making.
"So please be patient. And as my dear mum used to say "if you've nothing nice to say please don't say anything!"
THE AIRPORT'S FUTURE
Doncaster Council signed a new 125-year lease on the travel hub earlier this year, while a new operator is expected to be named soon.
What's more, millions of pounds worth of grants have been approved for the airport, while airlines have expressed an eagerness to return to its runways.
And last week, Three MPs from Doncaster met the new Aviation Minister Mike Kane to discuss the airport's future.
The minister revealed that he is working with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on its reopening and on reopening its airspace, to allow planes to land and take off.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, MP for Doncaster East and Axholme Lee Pitcher said: "Pleased to have met the Minister for Aviation & his team to discuss opening the airspace above Doncaster when needed - There was a strong commitment.
"Pleased to hear that the team are working closely with the CAA already to help allow the airspace to be available when required."
Pitcher was joined in the meeting by Doncaster North MP Ed Miliband and Doncaster Central MP Sally Jameson.
The trio had previously written to the Aviation Minister to put forward the case for the airport's reopening, urging him to prevent it becoming a "long and convoluted process".
Their letter, published by , reads: "As time is of the essence in our determination to re-open the airport, we strongly request that you as Aviation Minister intervene in preventing a long and convoluted new process that could place the airport; its operator and the airlines and freight companies at risk.
"A number of airline operators have already indicated a desire to commence operations at the Airport and it is likely that this will include a mix of low-cost, charter and full-service operators.
"Once the airport operator has been finalised in September, plans will be drawn up to re-commence general and business aviation traffic, with passenger operations to follow."
Included in those airlines hoping to fly from the airport once it reopens is TUI, which confirmed earlier this year that it wants to use the hub again in the future.
The carrier was one of several that used to use the airport, which offered flights to places like Spain, Cyprus, Poland and Romania.
A TUI spokesperson previously said: "TUI has always supported Doncaster Sheffield Airport, proudly flying customers from the region and were disappointed when the airport closed.
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"We're excited about actively engaging with stakeholders about a potential re-opening".
The Sun has contacted Sheffield council and save DSA for comment.
The quietest UK airports to travel from
These are the airports in the UK that cater for the fewest passengers
- Humberside - 136,976
Humberside stands out as the quietest UK airport with 136,976 terminal departures in 2023
- Southend – 146,072
Second on the list goes to Southend, as Southend-on-Sea airport had 146,072 departures
- Teesside - 226,557
With 226,557 terminal passengers last year, Teesside International Airport will be one of the quietest for UK travellers
- Norwich - 357,852
Norwich is also one of the quietest airports in the UK with 357,852
- Newquay - 408,870
To round out the list, Cornwall airport in Newquay ranks inside the top 5 with 408,870 passengers
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