Doncaster Sheffield Airport

1915–1995: RAF Finningley

The airport was opened as Finningley Airfield in 1915.

During the First World War, it was a base for the Royal Flying Corps to intercept German Zeppelins targeting industrial cities of Northern England. In the Second World War the airfield was primarily used for training,[3] serving RAF Bomber Command crews; only a few combat missions took off. It was a key facility for nuclear-armed Vulcan bombers in the Cold War before downgrade to training in the 1970s / 1980s and decommissioning by 1995.[3]

2005–2016: Robin Hood Airport

Following the end of scheduled services from Sheffield City Airport, Peel Group opened former RAF Finningley as Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield in April 2005.[4][5] The Robin Hood label controversially referenced historical accounts placing him in nearby Barnsdale Forest not Sherwood Forest but 11,000 people petitioned to oppose the name.[6] In May 2006, Thomsonfly launched the first long-haul flight from Doncaster to Puerto Plata.[7]

Promoters initially hoped for 25 million passengers a year.[8] In 2007, one million used the airport. This decreased to 700,000 in 2012, before increasing to just 1.25 million in 2016.[2]

2016–2022: Doncaster Sheffield Airport

In December 2016, Robin Hood Airport rebranded as Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

Flybe closed its facility at the airport in 2019, relocating crew and aircraft,[9] though Wizz Air based two aircraft there in 2020.[10][11] However in 2022, it too announced the end of flights from the airport stating the airport operators were "unable to guarantee the terms of its commercial agreement".[12] That left TUI Airways as the airport's sole regular customer.[13]

After an extended review and public consultation, the airport closed.[14][15][16] Peel proposed an expansion of their adjacent Gateway East property development TUI operated the final flights on 4 November 2022,[17] and Wizz Air transferred its routes to Leeds Bradford Airport.[18]

Doncaster Council applied for judicial review of the closure process but was refused.[19] In response, the Mayor of Doncaster announced the council's intention to compulsory purchase.[20]

Nevertheless, air traffic control was withdrawn from the airport in December 2022,[21] and the Civil Aviation Authority began to reclassify surrounding airspace.[22]

Post-closure and reopening plans

After protracted negotiation,[23][24][25] in March 2024 the mayor of Doncaster obtained a 125 year lease over the airport.[26] That November, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority agreed to £3m funding of reinstatement activities and commercial negotiation,[27] as part of a £138m re-opening budget.[28]

On 6 December 2024, a utility aircraft, operated by 2Excel Aviation, landed at the airport, the first in over two years.[29]

In February 2025, Munich Airport International were appointed airport operators[30] for a potential reopening in spring 2026.[31] However, several industry commentators questioned Doncaster Sheffield Airport's viability.[32][33][34]

In late August 2025, the mayor confirmed there would be no commercial or passenger flights until at least 2028, claiming that it was "unlikely to be at full operational capacity" until then.[35][36]

Airport business park

In 2014, a 10 ha site on the airport's business park became part of Sheffield City Region Enterprise Zone.[39]

Hangars

No. 3 Hangar was occupied by 2Excel Aviation providing Design, production and Maintenance services. Defence company BAE Systems formerly operated its Aircraft Maintenance Academy from No. 3 Hangar at the airport, before moving to Humberside Airport. Other activities within the hangars included from 2012, a Cessna Citation service centre.[40]

Flight training

The airport was home to Yorkshire Aero Club[41] and Hummingbird Helicopters.[42]

Traffic statistics

Busiest routes