The first large jet to land at an 'abandoned' UK airport since its closure in 2022 has touched down. A Boeing 727, kept on standby for oil spill response worldwide, visited Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) on April 28. Staff described the arrival as an 'amazing moment' for aviation and the community.
Significance of the Landing
The Boeing 727, owned by 2Excel Aviation, is on call 24/7 and can deploy globally at short notice. 2Excel has used Doncaster for smaller aircraft since December 2025, but this landing demonstrates the site's potential for larger jets. Tourism expert Christian Petzold called it a crucial step toward international connections for South Yorkshire.
'Currently it remains the largest city-region in Europe without access to a functioning airport,' Petzold said. 'When reopened, the airport will significantly reduce the reliance of passengers and businesses on airports such as Manchester, Leeds Bradford and East Midlands reducing travel time from over 90 minutes down to approximately 30-40 minutes.'
History and Closure
Doncaster Sheffield Airport once served thousands of passengers annually but closed in November 2022. The last inbound flight arrived from Egypt on November 4, 2022, at 9:15pm, and the final departure left for Manchester on November 5 at 12:15am. The airport served 50 European destinations with operators TUI and Wizz Air. Owner Peel Group cited financial inviability for closure.
In September, £160 million in funding was confirmed, which Chancellor Rachel Reeves called a 'huge milestone.' Freight flights are expected to resume around the end of 2027, with commercial flights for holidaymakers starting in winter 2028.
Local and Regional Impact
Christian Foster, director of airport operator FlyDoncaster Ltd, said the Boeing 727 landing marked a 'great day' in reopening plans. 'It's quite a moment seeing a jet land at the airport for the first time in almost four years,' he said, noting the energy among 50 flight staff. Mayor Ros Jones emphasized the airport's importance, stating, 'I have made reopening our beloved airport my number one priority.'
The South Yorkshire Airport City project could bring 5,000 new jobs and £6.6 billion to the area, according to Doncaster Council.
A Controversial Name
Originally opened as Finningley Airfield in 1915, the site served as a base for the Royal Flying Corps, later used for training in WWII and for nuclear-armed Vulcan bombers during the Cold War. It was decommissioned in 1995 and reopened as Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport in 2005, sparking controversy due to Robin Hood's association with Nottingham. A petition against the name garnered over 10,000 signatures, leading to a rebranding as Doncaster Sheffield Airport in 2016.
Other Regional Airport Revivals
In Kent, Manston Airport (Kent International Airport) has been dormant since 2014, currently used as a lorry park. RiverOak Strategic Partners bought the site in 2017 for £16.5 million and plans to reopen it as a cargo airport by 2029, with potential passenger flights from Ryanair and easyJet. Manston opened in 1918 and was targeted by German bombers during WWII.
