The city’s four MPs have given their suport to the plan

Labour MPs across Doncaster have praised the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s (SYMCA) deal to purchase Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

Lee Pitcher, whose constituency of Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme covers the site of the airport and who campaigned on getting DSA reopened when he ran for election in 2024, has revealed that negotiations with Peel Group, the current owners, to purchase the airport rather than simply lease it have now concluded successfully.

Doncaster's MPs have welcomed the deal | Iconic

placeholder image — Doncaster's MPs have welcomed the deal | Iconic

The proposals, which are subject to formal approval at the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority Board on 27 October, would see South Yorkshire MCA, headed by mayor Oliver Coppard, buy the airport and surrounding Gateway East development land.

Mr Pitcher said: “This fantastic deal is only possible because we’ve been aligned at every level – with two Labour mayors, a Labour MP and a Labour government all focused on the incredible benefits of increasing regional control.

“Doncaster Sheffield Airport will now not only reopen – it will truly be the People’s Airport, owned by us and run by us for the benefit of residents across Doncaster and the whole of South Yorkshire.”

John Healey, Labour MP for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough and Chancellor of the Exchequer, said: “It is brilliant news that an agreement has been reached to bring Doncaster Sheffield Airport into public control.

“Our ambition is to deliver growth in every postcode and this will deliver just that for South Yorkshire, benefitting constituents across Rawmarsh and Conisbrough with jobs, growth and investment.”

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“The deal, subject to MCA Board approval, reflects the ambition of Labour’s devolution agenda. I want to thank Oliver Coppard and Ros Jones for delivering for our region.”

Ed Miliband, Labour MP for Doncaster North and Foreign Secretary, said: “I’m delighted at the news that SYMCA are bringing the airport into public control, matching the Government’s ambition of giving people more control over the services we use.

This is fantastic news for my constituents in Doncaster North and for the entire region, as both Doncaster Sheffield Airport and Gateway East will bring growth and investment to our part of the world.

“A big thank you to Oliver Coppard, Ros Jones, everyone involved at SYMCA and Doncaster Council who have worked tirelessly to get this deal.”

Sally Jameson (Doncaster Central) said: “I am overjoyed that after months of negotiations, DSA will soon be taken into public ownership – a better deal for Doncaster, its residents and businesses.

“DSA and the surrounding Gateway East development land will be owned by SYMCA. Peel have changed their approach and agreed to sell the airport, an option not previously on the table. Peel were not interested in selling the airport at an earlier point.

“Thank you to our Labour Mayors Ros Jones and Oliver Coppard and the team of officials behind them to get this deal over the line. I look forward to the SYCMA Board meeting on the 27th October.”

If approved, the purchase would provide the long-term control, certainty and flexibility needed to unlock one of the biggest economic opportunities in South Yorkshire, helping create thousands of good jobs, attract significant private investment and support the development of a world-leading hub for sustainable aviation and innovation.

The agreement marks a major milestone in the region’s progress towards reopening Doncaster Sheffield Airport and creating one of the UK’s leading hubs for sustainable aviation, advanced manufacturing and innovation on the Gateway East site.