Abandoned UK airport step closer to reopening after TUI and Ryanair talks

Doncaster Sheffield Airport has moved one step closer to reopening following positive talks.

TUIand Ryanairhave been in conversation with the group running the relaunch project, giving hope that the now mothballed airport could start jetting holidaymakers off once again.

Doncaster East and Isle of Axholme Labour MP Lee Pitcher announced the DSA Action Group "sat down with TUI’s UK & Ireland commercial director" and "chaired a positive DSA Action Group meeting with Ryanair, represented by their head of public affairs."

“We discussed Ryanair’s position on Doncaster Sheffield Airport — and I’m pleased that they’ve agreed to be introduced to Fly Doncaster, the company that will manage the airport in partnership with international operator Munich International," Mr Pitcher said, the Doncaster Free Press reported.

In January, Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary refused to rule out returning his company’s flights to the North East airport, but admitted being based at the site was “a hard sell.”

READ MORE: Wizz Air warns new law will increase prices and create 'absolute zoo' at airport

The CEO used an interview with Sky to push for air passenger duty (APD) to be scrapped, something he has called for regularly, despite airlines paying no tax on the very polluting fuel they use.

"I think its a very tough sell for somewhere like Doncaster in the shadow of Leeds Bradford. I wish them well but its certainly not part of our growth plans in the UK – which isn’t to say we wouldn’t put some flights back into Doncaster if APD was scrapped," Mr O'Leary said.

"We certainly would look at it if it was the price of scrapping APD, we would guarantee to put flights back into Doncaster.”

Signing up airlines will be key to any future reopening of Doncaster Sheffield, which has been dormant since November 2022.

The City of Doncaster Council has pledged to have Doncaster Sheffield Airport up and running by spring 2026, according to West Bridgford Wire. This development follows South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard's indication that a decision regarding the release of gainshare funding for the airport's revival is expected in "early September", a move seen as pivotal for the travel hub's resurgence.

This new schedule signifies yet another postponement, with initial plans aiming for a summer restart. "The plan remains to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport in Spring 2026," confirmed a spokesperson for Mayor Jones, acknowledging several dependencies still in play.

"Once we have the Gainshare decision signed off in early September we can finalise our plans, including progressing with our Airspace, signing-up airlines and freight providers and to employ and train the hundreds of staff required to operate an airport."

READ MORE: Heathrow Airport to demolish terminal and boost passenger numbers by 10 million

READ MORE: Eurostar announces big change to train schedule kicking off this year

Previously reliant on TUI as its sole operator before the Peel Group shut it down due to financial woes, the airport's future now rests with FlyDoncaster. The company, formed by Doncaster Council, is optimistic about the airport's economic prospects once it reopens.

Back in 2016, the airport saw its busiest year, with 1.25 million passengers passing through its gates. German company Munich Airport International (MAI) is set to deliver operational and management expertise. Earlier in February, MAI's managing director Dr Lutz Weisser mentioned it was "too early" to talk about specific airlines or destinations, but confirmed ongoing confidential talks with carriers.

"The UK is a very important aviation market and we are interested in Doncaster because it is all there. This is not a greenfield project, this is not something that needs to be built. You don't have the risks of planning approval or construction and all these other things," he explained, as reported by the BBC.

"It may need some renovation, and recertification is important, but it is all in place. It just needs a bit of polishing and then you have an airport and that is exciting."

At a recent council meeting, Christian Foster, who is both the council programme director and director of FlyDoncaster, shared ambitious plans for diversifying airline operations at Doncaster. The Sun quoted him saying: "Working with our advisers from Munich we are very clear we want to target a number of airlines and have already been having those conversations for over 12 months with certain airlines.

"Having a strategy where you only have an airport with one airline doesn't work for Doncaster and hence we want a minimum of four to five and that's where we are working at. We are very keen to get our airspace returned back to 24 hours for next year."

Meanwhile, TUI has teased the possibility of a return to Doncaster Sheffield Airport, which previously featured in its roster for flights to sun-soaked spots such as Cyprus and Spain. Reminiscing about former ties, a TUI spokesperson remarked in February: "TUI has always supported Doncaster Sheffield Airport, proudly flying customers from the region and were disappointed when the airport closed. We're excited about actively engaging with stakeholders about a potential re-opening."