Doncaster Sheffield Airport has officially passed the first two stages of its Airspace Change Process (ACP), marking a key regulatory milestone ahead of its proposed reopening.
Stages one and two mapped feedback from key stakeholders, including other airports and airspace users, which will be used to project flight paths for the airport once operations begin.
Completion of the ACP will give the airport control over its own airspace, allowing for more autonomy with regards to flight movements and giving further reassurance to airlines and freight operators hoping to fly into and out of Doncaster.
The airport is now set to move to stage three of the process, which will include a more in-depth public consultation on airspace plans, which is scheduled to take place during the summer.
Christian Foster, Director of Airport Operator FlyDoncaster, said:We are undertaking an expedited process alongside our highly experienced team and our specialist consultants, so that we can realise the benefits of a reopened Doncaster Sheffield Airport as soon as possible and start delivering a positive impact for the local economy.
Passing this point is a major milestone, and I’m very grateful to our team for the significant amount of work that has got us to this stage as well as our aviation consultants Trax International who have been pivotal to this success. I’d also like to pay tribute to the many supportive stakeholders who have fed back on our plans and helped us to refine our requirements for the ACP.
We now look forward to taking these plans out to wider consultation this summer, which will include a number of drop-in events, the opportunity to feedback online and a range of other avenues allowing stakeholders and individuals to have their say.
The ACP is considered a key aspect of plans to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport, with the current timeline working towards a positive decision in Spring 2027.
Whilst limited operations can continue without controlled airspace, the successful ACP would result in a major step forward for the airport, as it continues talks with airlines and freight operators.
In early May, the airport was revealed to have been conducting discussions with an unnamed freight integrator business, which has plans to handle up to 80,000 tonnes of cargo through the site. It has also been revealed that discussions have been underway with multiple airlines, who are interested in flying to and from the airport, and basing aircraft at the facility.
