TAKING OFF
Closed-down UK airport reveals plans to reopen in just 18 months
TUI has also expressed interest in starting flights
A UK airport that was forced to close down in 2022 has revealed that it could reopen as soon as 2026.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport once operated flights to destinations such as Spain and Cyprus.
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However, it shut in November 2022 after the airport owners said it was no longer viable to remain open.
Despite this, it has worked on reopening in recent years.
And Ros Jones, the city's mayor, said that they had reached a "major milestone" in reopening.
She said: "Please rest assured we are working as hard as possible to get the airport reopened with the aim of being operational by spring 2026."
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This means flights could restart from the airport in just 18 months.
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) has been asked to put £3million towards reopening the airport, the reports.
They said in a statement: "Given the significant levels of investment, the Mayor and the rest of the SYMCA board remain determined to ensure an appropriate level of public control over decisions impacting the future of the airport, and to take as much time as necessary to get the deal right.
And the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is also working to allow airlines to operate in the airspace again, which can take anywhere between a year and 18 months.
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Ms Jones previously said: "I cannot emphasise enough the importance of retaining our airspace, our MPs continue to engage with the Aviation Minister in relation to this."
The local council has signed an 125-year lease for the site, in co-operation with the current owners Peel.
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While Mr Jones said thy would "name the airport operator when they could, TUI has already expressed interest in launching flights from Doncaster Sheffield Airport when it reopens.
They said: "TUI has always supported Doncaster Sheffield Airport, proudly flying customers from the region and were disappointed when the airport closed.
"We're excited about actively engaging with stakeholders about a potential re-opening".
The airport first opened in 2005 and was even named one of the best in the UK.
Previously named Robin Hood Airport, it welcomed up to 2.8million passengers a year, being one of just two commercial airports in Yorkshire.
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Flying to as many as 50 destinations in Europe, both Wizz Air and TUI operated flights.
However, Wizz Air pulled out of the airport before its closure, leaving just TUI until 2022.
It isn't clear if Wizz Air would return to the airport on it's reopening.
And Doncaster Sheffield isn't the only UK airport hoping to reopen.
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- Humberside - 136,976
Humberside stands out as the quietest UK airport with 136,976 terminal departures in 2023
- Southend – 146,072
Second on the list goes to Southend, as Southend-on-Sea airport had 146,072 departures
- Teesside - 226,557
With 226,557 terminal passengers last year, Teesside International Airport will be one of the quietest for UK travellers
- Norwich - 357,852
Norwich is also one of the quietest airports in the UK with 357,852
- Newquay - 408,870
To round out the list, Cornwall airport in Newquay ranks inside the top 5 with 408,870 passengers
Kent's Manston Airport has expressed desires to relaunch commercial flights.
And Plymouth Airport - which closed 13 years ago - could also reopen to the public, serving a million passengers a year.
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