125-year lease signed for former Doncaster Sheffield Airport

Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, has confirmed that a lease to take over the former Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) has been signed.

The 125-year lease is designed to help ensure the future of the airport site, with an ambition to return planes to the skies from the city.

It follows over a year of detailed negotiations with landowners the Peel Group. The lease agreement is the first stage in the process to reopen the airport. The next stage is the appointment of an operator to manage the operational airport.

Jones said: “This is a significant day in our ambition to reopen the airport as the lease has been signed.

“I was determined to find a way to secure the future of aviation in Doncaster and this agreement helps us along the way to reopening our airport and seeing planes taking off once again.

“This is a major step in the reopening process. The next is appointing an operator and investor who will manage and develop the airport.

“This process is well underway and I am optimistic that I can announce a partnership later in the spring.

“I would like to personally thank council officers who have worked tirelessly with great dedication, insight, determination and skill to get us to where we are today.

“Let’s look forward to the future with an airport that will help boost the economic and growth fortunes of our city, South Yorkshire and the north.

“I would also like to thank my fellow South Yorkshire leaders for backing the efforts of me and this council to save and reopen our airport. This airport is for the whole of South Yorkshire.”

The lease signing forms part of the South Yorkshire Airport City programme which City of Doncaster Council put in place dedicated to working towards reopening the airport.

It covers all the technical, legal, procurement and financial work necessary to progress securing the site and preparing essential requirements ahead of a partnership with an operator.