Will Doncaster Sheffield Airport Really Reopen? South Yorkshire Chambers React to Chancellor’s Pledge

Will the long-closed Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) finally make a comeback? The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves MP, has promised government support to help get the airport up and running again—potentially as soon as Spring 2026. It’s the latest twist in a long-running saga that has seen plenty of talk but little action.

Now, South Yorkshire’s three Chambers of Commerce—representing businesses in Doncaster, Sheffield, and Barnsley & Rotherham—have cautiously welcomed the news. But they’re also making it clear: words are nice, but what the region really needs is action.

A big promise – But will it be kept?

The Chancellor made her pledge during a major speech on economic growth, outlining various government plans to boost business across the UK. Among them was a commitment to working with local leaders in South Yorkshire to help bring DSA back to life.

For many businesses in the region, this sounds like good news. An operational airport means better connectivity, investment opportunities, and job creation. But, as the Chambers point out, we’ve heard similar promises before.

A history of false starts

The fight to save Doncaster Sheffield Airport has been going on for years. Local leaders and campaigners have battled hard to keep it alive, arguing that it’s a crucial piece of South Yorkshire’s infrastructure.

And yet, past governments have made big promises—only for them to fizzle out. Despite previous commitments, the airport closed in 2022 after owners Peel Group said it was no longer financially viable.

Since then, regional leaders have pushed for investment and even secured Investment Zone status for South Yorkshire. But actual government backing to reopen DSA? That’s been missing—until now.

Business leaders: “We’ll believe it when we see it”

In a joint statement, the Chief Executives of South Yorkshire’s three Chambers of Commerce said they were pleased with the government’s support but urged caution.

“We, of course, welcome Government’s support for the airport and by extension South Yorkshire.”

They highlighted how the British Chambers of Commerce recently put together a list of key infrastructure projects for the Chancellor’s attention. Despite competition from other major projects, DSA still made the cut, which they see as a positive sign.

But they didn’t hold back from criticising the Chancellor’s recent Autumn Budget, which they say created unnecessary challenges for businesses. While the airport pledge is welcome, they’re watching closely to see if it actually translates into real investment.

“Many will understandably want to wait and see if Westminster can actually deliver on these warm words, given that we have been here before.”

The statement also pointed out that previous governments, including a former Prime Minister, made similar pledges—but nothing substantial ever happened.

“We hope that this time around will be different, and that central Government will be able to match the entrepreneurialism and tenacity that our public sector partners in the local and mayoral combined authorities have demonstrated throughout this hard-fought campaign.”

What’s next for Doncaster Sheffield Airport?

So, will the government actually deliver this time? The plan is to have the airport back in business by Spring 2026, but there’s a lot that needs to happen before then.

Here’s what to watch for:

✅ Clear financial backing – Will funding be allocated to make reopening possible?
✅ Commitments from private investors – Will businesses step up to support the project?
✅ Progress on infrastructure planning – How quickly can work begin on getting the airport operational again?
✅ Legal hurdles and ownership issues – Will Peel Group cooperate, or will there be more delays?

The coming months will be crucial. If the government is serious about bringing DSA back, we should start seeing real movement soon.

Why this matters for South Yorkshire

For South Yorkshire, DSA isn’t just another airport—it’s a symbol of regional ambition. It could boost local business, create jobs, and improve international connections. And for many people in the region, it’s frustrating to see an airport with so much potential sitting unused.

That’s why the local Chambers of Commerce are pushing for real action. They know that if the government doesn’t follow through, the fight to save DSA will have to continue—again.

So, will Doncaster Sheffield Airport finally reopen? If history tells us anything, it’s this: believe it when you see the first plane take off.

What do you think?

Do you think the government will deliver on its promise this time? Would you use DSA if it reopened? Let us know in the comments!