On Wednesday 29 April, Doncaster locals came together just outside Doncaster Sheffield Airport to rally in support of the airport fully re-opening.
South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, approved of a £160m funding package towards the airport, which will bring back commercial flights to the region.
This decision was made on Tuesday 9 September 2025 during a meeting of the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Board, where all five councillors fully backed the planned funding.
Doncaster Sheffield Airport, which closed for commercial use in 2022, welcomed its first big jet landing on 28 April as a test before its planned reopening.
Alongside this package, a £57m loan was also passed in November 2025, which will go towards the airport’s regeneration as another form of funding distinct to the £160m package.
The recent rally was held in opposition to Doncaster Reform councillors calling an extraordinary meeting in attempts to reverse this approved loan from the council.
Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform UK Party, in an interview with BBC Radio Leeds, said: “We want this airport open but the deal that is currently proposed would be a disaster for taxpayers in Doncaster because the council, under this deal, is not getting the freehold.”
Roy John Huggins, who participated in the rally, said: “Doncaster Sheffield Airport meant so much to so many supporting businesses. It has connected people for so long, and provided vital employment to the area.
“We cannot afford to let that be forgotten.”
Ralliers expressed that they are not willing to let Reform UK stop the loan so easily, and that they are “ready to fight” for the airport’s restoration for as long as necessary.
Doncaster’s Labour Mayor, Ros Jones, has publicly spoken against Reform’s retraction of approval for the loan, saying that Reform UK will “kill off the airport” if they go ahead with voting to U-turn the loan.
“Reform will forever be remembered for standing in the way and depriving Doncaster and South Yorkshire of the airport that would deliver incredible economic potential and opportunity.”
The extraordinary meeting will take place on Sunday 11th May, where councillors will vote to either move forward with the £57m loan, or drop it completely.
Photograph of Doncaster Airport by Ben Sutherland