The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has authorised a public consultation on an Airspace Change Proposal (ACP) for Doncaster Sheffield Airport, a key procedural step as the site works towards reopening.
Consultation window and next steps
The formal consultation will run from 3 August to 4 October. It will invite views from residents and stakeholders on proposed changes to the airspace that would allow the airport to regain operational control of the skies above the site.
The airport operator, FlyDoncaster, says the consultation is a regulatory requirement and a chance for people who live and work nearby to make their views known. The company is preparing to recruit air traffic staff as it rebuilds the workforce necessary to operate.
- Consultation dates: 3 August–4 October
- Planned freight resumption: next year
- Planned passenger services: 2028
- Air traffic team: more than 20 in place, seven new recruits being sought
Local impact and staffing
FlyDoncaster is actively assembling an operational team. The recruitment drive advertised seven new air traffic controller roles to join an existing cohort of over 20 staff already appointed, as part of preparations to handle flights if the airport secures the required airspace changes.
“A reopening project of this scale includes a number of important milestones, but being able to go out to public consultation around our airspace is one that is absolutely crucial.”
The operator emphasises that public engagement will be sought across Doncaster and beyond, reflecting the airport’s position as a regional facility with local neighbourhoods likely to be affected by any reconfigured flight paths.
Timetable for reopening
FlyDoncaster has indicated an ambition to resume freight operations next year, with passenger services targeted for 2028. Restoring airspace control is a necessary regulatory milestone before regular flights can restart.
| Item | Planned timing |
|---|---|
| Public consultation | 3 Aug – 4 Oct |
| Freight flights | Next year |
| Passenger services | 2028 |
What this means for Doncaster
For local residents, the consultation will be the opportunity to raise concerns or support about noise, routes and the wider implications for travel and jobs. For the airport and the council-backed reopening project, it is a regulatory hurdle that must be cleared to restore normal operations and attract airlines and freight operators.
Further information about how to take part in the consultation is expected from FlyDoncaster and the CAA as the start date approaches. The coming months will be important for shaping the airspace arrangements that could define the airport's role in the regional transport network over the next decade.
