New radar system for soon to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport?

The bid to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) in the UK continues with the news that its operator has signed a multi-million-pound deal for a state-of-art radar system to underpin the return of commercial operations.

The airport – which ceased commercial operations on November 4, 2022, and closed later that month – has appointed Raytheon UK, a leading air traffic management and digital transformation specialist, to provide and install the radar system at the site.

It will be delivered in 2027 and help ensure that DSA is equipped to once again become a regional airport handling cargo and passenger traffic.

The order comes at a time when operator FlyDoncaster Ltd is in the process of consulting on airspace around the airport, with a decision on that due in Spring next year.

Simon Hinchley, DSA’s executive director of airport operations, said: “The safety of our customers will underpin the operational success of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

“Placing this significant order – arguably the most important step in the reopening of this airport to date – speaks volumes about the intent and sense of direction.”

If everything goes to plan, the gateway could start to handle freighter operations in 2027 and scheduled passenger flights in 2028.

Based on the site of former RAF Finningley, the airport currently employs more than 80 people on site, working to put in place a wide range of operations ahead of its opening to passengers and freight operators in the coming years.

Between 2006 and 2022 under the ownership of the Peel Group, DSA supported long and short-haul destinations for a variety of airlines that included Flybe, Wizz Air and TUI.

In its new guise, FlyDoncaster Ltd claims that the “airport will continue to provide an excellent customer experience, with a terminal capacity for up to four million passengers and the ability to handle around 40,000 air movements per year”.

Indeed, it argues that with infrastructure already in place, alongside good transport links, Doncaster Sheffield Airport is ideally placed to offer a wide range of routes for passenger and cargo operators.

Backed by City of Doncaster Council and South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, Doncaster Sheffield Airport is expected to generate £5 billion for the regional economy by 2050.