Airport sale deal reportedly close, claim sources
South Yorkshire’s mayoral authority is reportedly close to buying Doncaster Sheffield Airport from the Peel Group, shifting from a year of negotiations to lease the site. The change could give local authorities ownership of the airport and the company set up to run it, as they pursue its reopening after efforts to find a private operator failed.
Sources say most of the deal has been agreed, but no sale price or funding plan has been disclosed. The South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority has held £160m for reopening the airport since September 2025, subject to conditions including renegotiating the lease. The airport closed in 2022 after Peel judged it commercially unviable; officials say negotiations continue and plan to update the authority’s board later this month.
- South Yorkshire’s authority is reportedly nearing a purchase of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
- No sale price or funding details have been disclosed.
- The airport closed in 2022 after being deemed commercially unviable.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Public ownership could give South Yorkshire greater control over reopening the airport after efforts to attract a private operator failed. Supporters may argue that the £160m already held for the project shows a regional commitment to jobs, transport links and economic growth, and that ownership would let local authorities pursue those benefits over the long term.
The case against
The airport closed after its owner judged it commercially unviable, so buying it could expose public funds to substantial costs and uncertain returns. Critics may argue that no sale price or funding plan has been disclosed, and that the money and attention devoted to reopening could be better used for other local priorities unless a credible business case is demonstrated.