Trainees at Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) are using a specialist simulator to learn how to become air traffic controllers ahead of the airport's planned reopening. The site closed in 2022 after its former owners, Peel Group, deemed it financially unviable, but City of Doncaster Council, backed by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, aims to reopen it fully by April 2028, making early recruitment and training essential to have qualified staff ready in time.

At least 20 people have been recruited into air traffic control and air traffic services roles, including nine trainees working towards tower and radar qualifications. Since there is no live traffic to train on, staff act as virtual pilots to control simulated aircraft that trainees must manage safely. Passenger flights are expected to resume at Easter 2028, with freight flights returning sooner, and DSA's operators say recruiting controllers remains a challenge across the UK aviation industry.