Doncaster Sheffield Airport

Doncaster Sheffield Airport Template:Airport codes, 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 Template:Convert south-east of the centre of Doncaster and Template:Convert east of Sheffield. Plans to reopen the airport were announced in April 2025.

History

Aerial view of Doncaster Sheffield Airport

1915–1995: RAF Finningley

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} The airport was opened as Finningley Airfield in 1915.Template:Cn

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,<ref name=delvebook>Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Rp 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.<ref name=delvebook />Template:Rp

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.<ref name="durhamteesvalleyairport.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In May 2006, Thomsonfly launched the first long-haul flight from Doncaster to Puerto Plata.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Promoters initially hoped for 25 million passengers a year.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2007, one million used the airport. This decreased to 700,000 in 2012, before increasing to just 1.25 million in 2016.<ref name="stats"/>

2016–2022: Doncaster Sheffield Airport

Robin Hood statue by Neale Andrew at Doncaster Sheffield Airport

In December 2016, Robin Hood Airport rebranded as Doncaster Sheffield Airport.Template:Citation needed

Flybe closed its facility at the airport in 2019, relocating crew and aircraft,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> though Wizz Air based two aircraft there in 2020.<ref name=Wizz>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However in 2022, it too announced the end of flights from the airport<ref name=aerotelegraph/> stating the airport operators were "unable to guarantee the terms of its commercial agreement".Template:Citation needed That left TUI Airways as the airport's sole regular customer.<ref name=aerotelegraph>Template:Cite news</ref>

After an extended review and public consultation and the airport closed.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>The end for DSA? Aviation News November 2022 pages 6/7</ref> Peel proposed an expansion of their adjacent Gateway East property development<ref name="itv.com"/> TUI operated the final flights on 4 November 2022,<ref name="itv.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Wizz Air transferred its routes to Leeds Bradford Airport.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Doncaster Council applied for judicial review of the closure process but was refused.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In response, the Mayor of Doncaster announced the council's intention to compulsory purchase.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Nevertheless, air traffic control was withdrawn from the airport in December 2022,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the Civil Aviation Authority began to reclassify surrounding airspace.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Post-closure and reopening plans

After protracted negotiation,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> in March 2024 the mayor of Doncaster obtained a 125 year lease over the airport.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> That November, the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority agreed to £3m funding of reinstatement activities and commercial negotiation,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> as part of a £138m re-opening budget.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 6 December 2024, a utility aircraft, operated by 2Excel Aviation, landed at the airport, the first in over two years.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In February 2025, Munich Airport International were appointed airport operators<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> for a potential reopening in spring 2026.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, several industry commentators questioned Doncaster Sheffield Airport's viability.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Doncaster Sheffield set for comeback Airliner World May 2024 page 22</ref>

In late August 2025, the mayor confirmed there would be no commercial or passenger flights until at least 2028, with the airport not reopening in 2026 or possibly ever.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Facilities

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

The passenger terminal has 24 check-in desks, six departure gates and three baggage carousels.Template:WhenTemplate:Citation needed

A 102-bed Ramada Encore hotel opened in 2008.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

There are four on-site car parks.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Airport business park

In 2014, a Template:Convert site on the airport's business park became part of Sheffield City Region Enterprise Zone.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.Template:Citation neededTemplate:When Other activities within the hangars included from 2012, a Cessna Citation service centre.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Flight training

The airport was home to Yorkshire Aero Club<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Hummingbird Helicopters.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:When

Statistics

Traffic statistics

Doncaster Sheffield Airport
passenger totals 2005–2019 (millions)

<timeline> ImageSize = width:auto height:250 barincrement:29 PlotArea = left:30 bottom:15 top:10 right:15 AlignBars = justify Period = from:0 till:2 TimeAxis = orientation:vertical Colors = id:gray value:gray(0.5) id:line1 value:gray(0.9) id:line2 value:gray(0.7) ScaleMajor = start:0 increment:1 gridcolor:line2 PlotData= color:blue width:20 bar:2005 from:start till:0.600907 bar:2006 from:start till:0.900067 bar:2007 from:start till:1.078374 bar:2008 from:start till:0.968481 bar:2009 from:start till:0.835768 bar:2010 from:start till:0.876153 bar:2011 from:start till:0.822877 bar:2012 from:start till:0.693661 bar:2013 from:start till:0.690351 bar:2014 from:start till:0.724885 bar:2015 from:start till:0.857109 bar:2016 from:start till:1.255907 bar:2017 from:start till:1.335590 bar:2018 from:start till:1.222347 color:darkblue bar:2019 from:start till:1.407862 </timeline>

Traffic statistics at Doncaster Sheffield<ref name="stats"/>

Year	Passengers handled	Passenger % change	Cargo (tonnes)	Cargo % change	Aircraft movements	Aircraft % change
2005	600,907	Template:Sort	31	Template:Sort	6,914	Template:Sort
2006	900,067	Template:IncreaseTemplate:Sort	167	Template:IncreaseTemplate:Sort	10,642	Template:Increase 53.9
2007	1,078,374	Template:IncreaseTemplate:Sort	1,602	Template:IncreaseTemplate:Sort	12,667	Template:Increase 19.0
2008	968,481	Template:DecreaseTemplate:Sort	1,350	Template:DecreaseTemplate:Sort	13,066	Template:Increase 3.1
2009	835,768	Template:DecreaseTemplate:Sort	344	Template:DecreaseTemplate:Sort	10,854	Template:Decrease 16.9
2010	876,153	Template:IncreaseTemplate:Sort	216	Template:DecreaseTemplate:Sort	11,030	Template:Increase 1.6
2011	822,877	Template:DecreaseTemplate:Sort	102	Template:DecreaseTemplate:Sort	11,876	Template:Increase 7.7
2012	693,661	Template:DecreaseTemplate:Sort	276	Template:IncreaseTemplate:Sort	11,724	Template:Decrease 1.3
2013	690,351	Template:DecreaseTemplate:Sort	354	Template:IncreaseTemplate:Sort	11,197	Template:Decrease 4.5
2014	724,885	Template:IncreaseTemplate:Sort	858	Template:IncreaseTemplate:Sort	11,697	Template:Increase 4.5
2015	857,109	Template:IncreaseTemplate:Sort	3,201	Template:IncreaseTemplate:Sort	11,998	Template:Increase 2.6
2016	1,255,907	Template:IncreaseTemplate:Sort	9,341	Template:IncreaseTemplate:Sort	16,098	Template:Increase 34.2
2017	1,335,590	Template:IncreaseTemplate:Sort	8,656	Template:DecreaseTemplate:Sort	17,435	Template:Increase 8.3
2018	1,222,347	Template:DecreaseTemplate:Sort	7,107	Template:DecreaseTemplate:Sort	18,930	Template:Increase 8.5
2019	1,407,862	Template:IncreaseTemplate:Sort	17,647	Template:IncreaseTemplate:Sort	23,043	Template:Increase 21.7

Busiest routes

citation

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Rank	Airport	Passengers handled	% change 2018–19
1	Bucharest	96,612	Template:Increase 52.0
2	Katowice	82,279	Template:Increase 1.1
3	Gdańsk	80,842	Template:Increase 10.1
4	Alicante	68,583	Template:Increase 9.7
5	Warsaw	67,711	Template:Decrease 1.5
6	Vilnius	58,793	Template:Increase 43.3
7	Palma de Mallorca	55,197	Template:Increase 4.4
8	Poznań	54,514	Template:Increase 7.9
9	Tenerife–South	51,309	Template:Decrease 0.6
10	Amsterdam	48,840	Template:Decrease 16.2
11	Riga	43,937	Template:Increase 3.6
12	Málaga	42,299	Template:Decrease 12.5
13	Budapest	42,116	Template:Increase 592.6
14	Cluj Napoca	41,165	Template:Increase 14.3
15	Lanzarote	39,993	Template:Increase 1.5
16	Kraków	39,345	n/a
17	Wroclaw	35,194	Template:Decrease 1.4
18	Debrecen	33,605	Template:Increase 2187.6
19	Dublin	29,779	Template:Decrease 11.5
20	Paphos	24,528	Template:Increase 9.4

Vulcan XH558

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} 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.<ref name=GA2011move>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> XH558's final flight was a display over the airport, on 28 October 2015.<ref name="lastflight">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2022, the trust announced it would leave the airport because its lease could not be renewed.<ref name=Vulcan-to-be-moved-BBC>Template:Cite news</ref> Nevertheless, as of October 2024, the trust and XH558 remained at the airport awaiting negotiations with a new operator.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>Doncaster: Vulcan XH558 bomb-bay name appeal launched BBC News, 18 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2025</ref>

Ground transport

The airport is close to M18 motorway junction 3 and a road to it was completed in 2018.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Doncaster railway station on the East Coast Main Line, and the Frenchgate Interchange are Template:Convert away.Template:Citation needed

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.<ref>Network Rail, Route Specifications 2012 – London North Eastern, p. 76</ref> There have been proposals for a dedicated link to the East Coast Main Line.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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.Template:Citation needed

It has been a location for television series including ITV's Emmerdale,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> BBC One's drama Hustle<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and In the Club.Template:Citation needed

The airport appeared in Four Lions<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and was a setting for the BBC mockumentary Come Fly with Me. Matt Lucas and David Walliams spent two weeks at the airport filming.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

RAF Finningley was destroyed by a Soviet nuclear warhead in the 1984 TV film Threads.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>