‘North Heathrow’ ambitions outlined for Doncaster Sheffield Airport
Freight operations and fuel infrastructure are at the heart of Doncaster Sheffield Airport’s growth plans, with ‘no glass ceiling’ being imposed on the site’s potential.
Speaking at Panattoni’s Doncaster 420 site – the largest spec-built unit in Yorkshire at 418,000 sq ft, just minutes from the airport – Christian Foster, director of South Yorkshire Airport City, highlighted the potential to expand cargo handling far beyond current levels.
The airport, which closed after handling an average of 23,000 tonnes of freight, could realistically aim for more than 100,000 tonnes, he said, with ambitions ultimately reaching 400,000 tonnes.
“There is no glass ceiling… In East Midlands, they’re handling 400,000 tonnes and aiming for 800,000 tonnes,” he noted.
The airport’s two-mile long runway allows large cargo aircraft, such as the Antonov, to operate safely. “This is the runway that enables the largest aircraft to land,” Foster said. “When we talk about a ‘non-bucket-and-spade’ airport, we mean large freight planes.”
Fuel infrastructure is another priority, with plans for a new fuel farm to maximise commercial opportunities. “The way an airport makes money is in many ways, but fuel is key,” Foster said.
DSA is also positioning itself as a hub for sustainable aviation.
Partnerships with the University of Sheffield and private companies aim to develop hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel production on site: “Airports need to be at the forefront of understanding future fuel needs,” Foster added.
Further development
The airport’s 20-year-old terminal is also set for a comprehensive redevelopment, including a full refurbishment to deliver a five-star passenger experience, redevelopment of the air traffic control tower, and expansion of the car park – potentially into a multi-storey facility with EV charging and green infrastructure.
“These projects are not just about aviation – they represent significant opportunities for local contractors and developers,” Foster said, noting multiple tenders for civil, mechanical, electrical, and specialist construction work.
Airside and logistics facilities will also be expanded, including four historic hangars from 1935, 100,000 sq ft of maintenance, repair, and overhaul facilities, and aircraft manufacturing sites ranging from 30 to 85 acres.
DSA’s 800-acre core lease, plus 126 acres for airside operations, provides major property development potential. Plans include:
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NPL5: 3m sq ft for aviation, logistics, and green technology tenants.
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Central Plaza: petrol station, business incubation units, and potential retail.
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Gateway East: sustainable aviation fuel production, hydrogen facilities, and aviation manufacturing.
“This is effectively the size of Sheffield City Centre,” Foster said. “The opportunity for property developers, logistics operators, and construction firms is unprecedented in the region.”
The council expects more than 200 procurement opportunities, from terminal and air traffic control redevelopment to new hangars, energy infrastructure, and sustainable fuel facilities.
Local and national contractors are encouraged to register with DSA’s procurement team to participate.
Great news
By Mr M WAITE
Just what the current traffic system in Auckley and great Yorkshire way can handle…….. I don’t think!!!
By Anonymous
Hmm. Have you seen the road infrastructure around M18 J3, White Rose Way, & Great Yorkshire Way? It’s already at capacity
By Anonymous
At Last someone is thinking logically about the future of DSA .The truth is that its a waste of an opportunity to fully utilse what is a fantastic local asset
1 move the Vulcan to a new site adjacent to the new airport operations
2 Build a V Bomber museum site.
3 Please develop the new airport to its amazing full capacity
4Develop terminal to European standards and enlarge it by 50%
5 Build a new terminal2 for long haul aviation
6Develop a new cargo centre as this airport already had good cargo trade . Make It Better
THANKYOU.
By MR PETER ASHWORTH
Why is it called Doncaster Sheffield Airport it as nothing to do with Sheffield.
By Anonymous
Laughable. Donny used to be able to get a few quid from freight, but EMA has expanded hugely in recent years, has the M1 and rail terminal yards rather than miles away, and established hubs with multiple carriers.
By Portland
No one seems to be mentioning the environmental impact of the airport re opening.
By David P
Could the airport be used as a stop over for flights from America to other destinations, with passengers not leaving the airport. This could relieve pressure on Heathrow and Gatwick and Manchester.
By martin steer
I have read these comments and to be completely honest it amazes me how childish and petty some people are. Instead of getting behind the project and encouraging it forward, all you get is whineing. One would presume that these points that have been raised will have been looked at and solutions put in place.
By D. O'K
It is possible to improve road access and make a railway station to improve access and egress. Maybe, if there is enough space for freight, might it be possible to take all of Heathrow,s freight to Doncaster and East Midlands and leave Heathrow as passengers only? That might result in no extra runway costs for Heathrow?
By B
I really hope this succeeding for the good of the area and the people. Not everyone wants to fly out of London.
By Tony Clayton
Think I’ll be well dead before half of that materialises!
By Anonymous
Having a laugh can’t pull 1m a year..
By Mariah. Carey
I see nobody has said a word about the people under the flight path of these big aircraft coming into the airport so Iam gonna ask if anyone or anybody can update on this ?
By Anonymous
It’s urgent that Junction 3 is completely upgraded to cope with the increased traffic to and from the airport and expected new industries opening up around the airport.
By Anonymous
It should never have closed as an RAF base!
Good old government cuts 🤷🏼
By Anonymous
Yeah good stuff, just build the thing and don’t listen to anyone in Doncaster. BTW reform tried to fraud it all up BTW.
By Tyke
It would be absolutely fantastic if they retain the original FREE drop off and pickup of passengers, unlike other UK airports. This would certainly make it a unique proposition.
By Roger Neale
Get on with it ,but get it right first time.
By Dr James Nelson
Waste of good money
By Anonymous
It needs some good weekend / long weekend short haul cheap flights!
By Anonymous
We Need weekly flights to the US too with the likes of JFK and tampa
By Jgk92
Excellent for freight
By Steve Lewis
Do gooders eh dont we just love em. How on gods earth can the north progress when we still have people who think men should still be ploughing fields with a pair of shire horses it beggars belief. Get with it were in the 21st century
By Matt
Call it what it is FININGLY not doncaster /sheffield ,confusing people its so easy to get to via,the A1 , M1, M18 ,Ulike leeds bradford wich is a pain in the Ass and for Gods sake have you seen aircraft trying to land in bad weather conditi✈️🌪🌫🌬
By John haslam
The article says it all. The air freight facility is already in existence at East Midlands, a few miles down the M1 and with much better facilities and road access. Plus a rail terminal. Having a long runway isn’t a viable business case in itself. The country doesn’t need another air freight terminal to bring in more Chinese imports,nor another bucket and spade Ryanair base. We have MAN, LBA, EMA, HUY, MME, and the Church Fenton wannabe. DCS might have a use as an aircraft maintenance, preservation, and scrapping facility now that Bruntingthorpe has closed.
By Rory McLoughlin