THE knock-on impact of reopening South Yorkshire’s only airport - which closed two years ago - will be felt across the county according to leaders who confirmed a preferred bidder to oversee its running has been found.
At a South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) meeting - set to be held on Tuesday - leaders will discuss the full business case for the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport on a 125-year lease from Peel, the site’s owner.
Procurement processes have returned an as yet unidentified preferred bidder, which could lead to the airport reopening in spring 2026.
According to projections outlined by SYMCA, contract negotiations could be concluded by as early as December and the news has been welcomed by leaders in Barnsley who have been involved in the process.
Council leader Sir Steve Houghton said: “The aviation industry has suffered in recent years due to the changes brought about by Brexit and the knock-on impacts of Covid-19.
“This facility is crucial to South Yorkshire’s economy - it supports jobs, attracts inward investment, supports trade and connects us internationally.
“It will also benefit many people in Barnsley so I welcome its reopening.”
South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard said he remains ‘fully committed’ to overseeing its reopening having approved a £138m support package to see through the plan.
“With that level of investment and with a deal that is this significant to the whole of South Yorkshire, I am also determined to ensure we progress earnestly ensuring we build on the foundations of a leading regional economic asset,” he added.
“This is part of our plan for growth across our whole region, delivering long-term benefits for the whole of South Yorkshire, with a thriving regional airport at its heart.
“Getting to this point has not been easy - I’ve always said reopening our airport would take time and huge amounts of hard work.
“No ambitious plan is without risks, but alongside the other leaders in South Yorkshire, I believe the economic case is compelling.”
Bosses predict that its reopening could lead to 5,000 jobs being created, with an ‘added value’ of £6.6bn set to be ploughed into South Yorkshire’s wider economy.
“That cannot mean a blank cheque or a bad deal, so we are rightly following a process that is underpinned by robust governance,” Mr Coppard said.
“We’ve seen in other parts of the country what can go wrong if we don’t put transparency, accountability and the interests of taxpayers at the forefront of our thinking.”
