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Doncaster Sheffield Airport

Airport in South Yorkshire, England

Doncaster Sheffield Airport

Airport in South Yorkshire, England

FieldValue
nameDoncaster Sheffield Airport
nativenameRobin Hood Airport
imageDoncaster Sheffield Airport logo.svg
image-width150
image2Robin Hood Airport (3 of 7) - geograph.org.uk - 449841.jpg
image2-width250
ICAOEGCN
typePublic
opened
closed
passenger_services_ceased
ownerPeel Group
operatorDoncaster Sheffield Airport Limited
city-servedSouth Yorkshire, Lincolnshire
locationFinningley
elevation-f56
coordinates
pushpin_mapSouth Yorkshire
pushpin_labelEGCN
pushpin_map_captionLocation in South Yorkshire
metric-rwyY
r1-number02/20
r1-length-m2,893
r1-surfaceAsphalt
stat-year2019
stat1-headerPassengers
stat1-data1,407,862
stat2-headerPassenger change (18–19)
stat2-data15.2%
stat3-headerAircraft movements
stat3-data23,043
stat4-headerMovements change (18–19)
stat4-data21.7%
footnotesSources: UK AIP at NATS
Statistics from the UK Civil Aviation Authority

| nativename-a = | nativename-r = | image-width = 150 | image2-width = 250 | city-served = South Yorkshire, Lincolnshire | elevation-f = 56 | metric-rwy = Y | r1-number = 02/20 | r1-length-m = 2,893 | r1-surface = Asphalt | stat-year = 2019 | stat1-header = Passengers | stat1-data = 1,407,862 | stat2-header = Passenger change (18–19) | stat2-data = 15.2% | stat3-header = Aircraft movements | stat3-data = 23,043 | stat4-header = Movements change (18–19) | stat4-data = 21.7% Statistics from the UK Civil Aviation Authority

Doncaster Sheffield Airport , formerly named and commonly referred to as Robin Hood Airport, was an international airport in Finningley near Doncaster in South Yorkshire, England, in operation between 2005 and 2022. The site lies 6 mi south-east of the centre of Doncaster and 19 mi east of Sheffield. Plans to reopen the airport were announced in April 2025.

History

Aerial view of Doncaster Sheffield Airport

1915–1995: RAF Finningley

Main article: RAF Finningley

The airport was opened as Finningley Airfield in 1915.

During the First World War, it was a base for the Royal Flying Corps to intercept German Zeppelins targeting industrial cities of Northern England. In the Second World War the airfield was primarily used for training, serving RAF Bomber Command crews; only a few combat missions took off. It was a key facility for nuclear-armed Vulcan bombers in the Cold War before downgrade to training in the 1970s / 1980s and decommissioning by 1995.

2005–2016: Robin Hood Airport

Following the end of scheduled services from Sheffield City Airport, Peel Group opened former RAF Finningley as Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield in April 2005. The Robin Hood label controversially referenced historical accounts placing him in nearby Barnsdale Forest not Sherwood Forest but 11,000 people petitioned to oppose the name. In May 2006, Thomsonfly launched the first long-haul flight from Doncaster to Puerto Plata.

Promoters initially hoped for 25 million passengers a year. In 2007, one million used the airport. This decreased to 700,000 in 2012, before increasing to just 1.25 million in 2016.

2016–2022: Doncaster Sheffield Airport

In December 2016, Robin Hood Airport rebranded as Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

Flybe closed its facility at the airport in 2019, relocating crew and aircraft, though Wizz Air based two aircraft there in 2020. However in 2022, it too announced the end of flights from the airport That left TUI Airways as the airport's sole regular customer.

After an extended review and public consultation and the airport closed. Peel proposed an expansion of their adjacent Gateway East property development TUI operated the final flights on 4 November 2022, and Wizz Air transferred its routes to Leeds Bradford Airport.

Doncaster Council applied for judicial review of the closure process but was refused. In response, the Mayor of Doncaster announced the council's intention to compulsory purchase.

Nevertheless, air traffic control was withdrawn from the airport in December 2022, and the Civil Aviation Authority began to reclassify surrounding airspace.

Post-closure and reopening plans

After protracted negotiation, in March 2024 the mayor of Doncaster obtained a 125 year lease over the airport. That November, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority agreed to £3m funding of reinstatement activities and commercial negotiation, as part of a £138m re-opening budget.

On 6 December 2024, a utility aircraft, operated by 2Excel Aviation, landed at the airport, the first in over two years.

In February 2025, Munich Airport International were appointed airport operators for a potential reopening in spring 2026. However, several industry commentators questioned Doncaster Sheffield Airport's viability.

In late August 2025, the mayor confirmed there would be no commercial or passenger flights until at least 2028, claiming that it was "unlikely to be at full operational capacity" until then.

Facilities

The airport has single runway designated 02/20, with dimensions of 2895 by. It was designed for long-range nuclear armed bombers and so is wider than other commercial airports in the north of England.

The passenger terminal has 24 check-in desks, six departure gates and three baggage carousels.

A 102-bed Ramada Encore hotel opened in 2008.

There are four on-site car parks.

Airport business park

In 2014, a 10 ha site on the airport's business park became part of Sheffield City Region Enterprise Zone.

Hangars

No. 3 Hangar was occupied by 2Excel Aviation providing Design, production and Maintenance services. Defence company BAE Systems formerly operated its Aircraft Maintenance Academy from No. 3 Hangar at the airport, before moving to Humberside Airport. Other activities within the hangars included from 2012, a Cessna Citation service centre.

Flight training

The airport was home to Yorkshire Aero Club and Hummingbird Helicopters.

Statistics

Traffic statistics

YearPassengers
handledPassenger
% changeCargo
(tonnes)Cargo
% changeAircraft
movementsAircraft
% change
2005600,907316,914
2006900,06716710,64253.9
20071,078,3741,60212,66719.0
2008968,4811,35013,0663.1
2009835,76834410,85416.9
2010876,15321611,0301.6
2011822,87710211,8767.7
2012693,66127611,7241.3
2013690,35135411,1974.5
2014724,88585811,6974.5
2015857,1093,20111,9982.6
20161,255,9079,34116,09834.2
20171,335,5908,65617,4358.3
20181,222,3477,10718,9308.5
20191,407,86217,64723,04321.7

Busiest routes

RankAirportPassengers
handled% change
2018–19
1Bucharest96,61252.0
2Katowice82,2791.1
3Gdańsk80,84210.1
4Alicante68,5839.7
5Warsaw67,7111.5
6Vilnius58,79343.3
7Palma de Mallorca55,1974.4
8Poznań54,5147.9
9Tenerife–South51,3090.6
10Amsterdam48,84016.2
11Riga43,9373.6
12Málaga42,29912.5
13Budapest42,116592.6
14Cluj Napoca41,16514.3
15Lanzarote39,9931.5
16Kraków39,345n/a
17Wroclaw35,1941.4
18Debrecen33,6052187.6
19Dublin29,77911.5
20Paphos24,5289.4

Vulcan XH558

Main article: Avro Vulcan XH558

In 2011, the Vulcan to the Sky Trust flew Avro Vulcan XH558 to the airport, its former operational base. It was the last airworthy example of the Vulcan bomber fleet, restored to flight by the trust in 2007. XH558's final flight was a display over the airport, on 28 October 2015.

In 2022, the trust announced it would leave the airport because its lease could not be renewed. Nevertheless, as of October 2024, the trust and XH558 remained at the airport awaiting negotiations with a new operator.

As of October 2025, the trust had launched a new fundraising campaign, and hoped that the Vulcan could remain at Doncaster Sheffield as a static exhibit, despite the uncertain future ownership of the site.

Ground transport

The airport is close to M18 motorway junction 3 and a road to it was completed in 2018.

Doncaster railway station on the East Coast Main Line, and the Frenchgate Interchange are 7 mi away.

The airport abuts the Doncaster to Lincoln railway line, and plans for a station to replace one that closed in 1961 were granted planning permission in 2008. However, a 2012 report by Network Rail stated that more trains on the line would be required to make it viable. There have been proposals for a dedicated link to the East Coast Main Line.

Accident

On 15 August 2014, Jestream 31 G–GAVA, operating a Links Air flight from Belfast City Airport, crashed on landing at the airport following a landing gear failure; this caused substantial damage to the aircraft. One passenger was taken to hospital with minor injuries. The airport was closed for several hours.

In media

In 2007, the airport featured in the BBC Two documentary Should I Really Give Up Flying? Brian Blessed explored local attitudes to flying and its impact on the environment.

It has been a location for television series including ITV's Emmerdale, BBC One's drama Hustle and In the Club.

The airport appeared in Four Lions and was a setting for the BBC mockumentary Come Fly with Me. Matt Lucas and David Walliams spent two weeks at the airport filming.

RAF Finningley was destroyed by a Soviet nuclear warhead in the 1984 TV film Threads.

References

References

  1. "Doncaster Sheffield – EGCN". NATS.
  2. (3 March 2017). "UK Annual Airport Statistics". CAA.
  3. Delve, Ken. (2006). "The Military Airfields of Britain – Northern England : Co. Durham, Cumbria, Isle of Man, Lancashire, Merseyside, Manchester, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear, Yorkshire". Crowood Press.
  4. (10 February 2012). "Background Information". Durham Tees Valley Airport.
  5. "Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield". Flights Network.
  6. (12 November 2004). "Airport's new name misses target". BBC News.
  7. (28 April 2006). "Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield celebrates first anniversary with Thomsonfly.com". Thomsonfly.
  8. (13 July 2022). "Doncaster Sheffield Airport's future in doubt". BBC News.
  9. Dyson, Molly. (4 April 2019). "Flybe to stop using Embraer jets". Buying Business Travel.
  10. (13 August 2020). "Wizz Air announces new base and major expansion at Doncaster Sheffield Airport". Wizz Air.
  11. "Doncaster Sheffield Airport - latest news". Doncaster Sheffield Airport.
  12. (5 July 2022). "Why are so many flights being cancelled?". The Independent.
  13. Eisling. (28 September 2022). "Rückzug von Wizz bricht britischem Flughafen das Genick".
  14. (23 August 2022). "Review into Doncaster Sheffield Airport future extended".
  15. Klein, Josie. (24 August 2022). "Doncaster Sheffield airport consultation extended".
  16. The end for DSA? ''[[Aviation News]]'' November 2022 pages 6/7
  17. (26 September 2022). "Bosses confirm closure of Doncaster Sheffield Airport".
  18. Himefield, Dave. (29 September 2022). "Doncaster Sheffield Airport closure update as Wizz Air confirms flight transfer to Leeds Bradford".
  19. (1 December 2022). "Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Judicial review over airport closure refused". BBC News.
  20. Kessen, David. (1 December 2022). "Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Officials start the process of nationalising airport". The Sheffield Star.
  21. Burke, Darren. (2 December 2022). "Over and out:' Air traffic control ends at Doncaster Sheffield Airport as talks go on". Doncaster Free Press.
  22. (2 December 2022). "Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Airspace to be downgraded". BBC News.
  23. Mower, Shannon. (27 October 2022). "Doncaster Sheffield Airport: 'Credible offer' submitted to owner Peel Group, claims mayor". Yorkshire Post.
  24. (14 January 2023). "Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Owners reject council offer to buy site". BBC News.
  25. Kershaw, Tom. (25 September 2023). "Doncaster Sheffield Airport latest as mayor sees 'light at the end of the tunnel'". Examiner Live.
  26. (21 March 2024). "Lease for former Doncaster Sheffield Airport signed".
  27. Davies, Phil. "Regional leaders agree £3m to support Doncaster Sheffield airport reopening".
  28. Ashton, Lucy. (12 November 2024). "Doncaster Sheffield Airport costs expected to rise, meeting hears".
  29. (7 December 2024). "First aircraft lands at Doncaster Sheffield Airport since closure".
  30. (4 February 2025). "International airport expertise secured to reopen Doncaster's airport".
  31. Greenbank, Chloe. (2025-02-10). "Munich Airport partner for Doncaster Sheffield".
  32. (1 February 2025). "Take-off or bail out? The airport even Ryanair thinks is a tough sell".
  33. "Government backs mayor to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport".
  34. Doncaster Sheffield set for comeback ''[[Airliner World]]'' May 2024 page 22
  35. (27 August 2025). "Doncaster Sheffield Airport commercial flights unlikely until 2028".
  36. (26 August 2025). "No passenger flights at Doncaster airport until 2028, says Mayor".
  37. "Ramada Encore Hotel Lands at Airport Business Park". Robin Hood Airport.
  38. "Car parking".
  39. Newton-Syms, Ellie. (11 March 2014). "Sheffield City Region Enterprise Zone announces expansion plans". The Business Desk.
  40. (25 September 2012). "Cessna announces first UK Citation Service Centre". Flyer.
  41. "Welcome".
  42. "Welcome".
  43. "International Air Passenger Traffic To and From Reporting Airports for 2019 Comparison with 2018".
  44. (5 April 2011). "Welcome Home – Vulcan XH558 returns to Doncaster".
  45. (30 October 2015). "Final Flight report".
  46. (15 August 2022). "Doncaster: Vulcan XH558 to be moved from South Yorkshire home". BBC News.
  47. (31 October 2024). "Update from Vulcan to the Sky Trust".
  48. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-south-yorkshire-67139214 Doncaster: Vulcan XH558 bomb-bay name appeal launched] ''[[BBC News]]'', 18 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2025
  49. (15 June 2018). "Second phase of 'hugely significant' Great Yorkshire Way in Doncaster completed".
  50. Network Rail, Route Specifications 2012 – London North Eastern, p. 76
  51. (21 March 2018). "Proposed £280 million Doncaster airport rail link could create 70,000 jobs".
  52. (16 August 2014). "Robin Hood airport remains closed". Press Associatiom.
  53. "British Aerospace 3102 Jetstream 31 G-GAVA Doncaster/Sheffield-Robin Hood Airport".
  54. (26 January 2017). "Emmerdale filming takes place at Doncaster's Robin Hood Airport". Doncaster Free Press.
  55. "Hustlers take over airport for two days of filming". Robin Hood Airport.
  56. "Four Lions (2010) : Filming Locations".
  57. (14 July 2022). "Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Call for TV's David Walliams and Matt Lucas to join fight". Doncaster Free Press.
  58. (9 April 2018). "Britain after the atomic bomb: why Threads is more terrifying than ever". [[The Daily Telegraph]].
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