Doncaster Sheffield Airport: Grounded No More – Haulage Steps Up to Help Relaunch Take-Off

Doncaster Sheffield Airport has had a journey as dramatic as any departure board could dream of. From its early days as RAF Finningley, intercepting German Zeppelins during World War I, to its brief stint as the controversially named Robin Hood Airport, this northern aviation hub has certainly earned its wings in British transport history.

Up up and away???

Originally an airbase from 1915 to 1995, the site was decommissioned after its military days came to an end. But it wasn’t grounded for long. By 2005, it had reinvented itself as a commercial airport—though not without drama. Naming it Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield Airport raised a few historical eyebrows, since Robin Hood was supposedly more of a Barnsdale Forest bandit than a Sherwood Sherpa. The backlash? Over 11,000 people signed a petition to oppose the name.

Despite hopes of welcoming 25 million passengers a year, reality didn’t quite match the ambition. At its peak in 2007, the airport saw 1 million passengers, but numbers dwindled to 700,000 by 2012. In 2016, the Robin Hood moniker was dropped, and it returned to the simpler Doncaster Sheffield Airport—but not for long.

By 2022, the airport saw its final flight take off... or so we thought.

Back from the Brink

Now, in a major comeback story, Doncaster Sheffield Airport is preparing for a relaunch. The Department for Transport is backing the revival, citing a bold vision: creating 5,000 jobs, boosting the economy by £5 billion, and delivering an extra £2 billion in wider benefits by 2050.

The verdict? The airport has serious potential to become a key driver of economic growth in the North—and that’s where the haulage sector comes roaring in.

Haulage to the Rescue

According to the Road Haulage Association (RHA), the freight and logistics industry will be critical in bringing this project to life.

“We’re pleased to see the airport reopening, sparking long-term growth across the region and beyond,” said James Barwise, RHA policy lead.

Barwise noted that rebuilding and supporting the airport’s infrastructure will rely heavily on the haulage sector—which means lorry drivers are about to become even more in demand.

“The industry needs around 40,000 new drivers every year for the next five years to keep pace with demand and drive growth across the UK economy.”

A Second Chance to Soar

From warplanes to budget flights and now to economic revival, Doncaster Sheffield Airport is proving it's not quite ready for retirement. With the backing of government and industry—and the wheels of the haulage sector already turning—this could be the ultimate comeback story for both the airport and the region.