Connectus welcomes Reform backing for Doncaster Sheffield Airport reopening

Technology and infrastructure powerhouse Connectus has welcomed news that Reform UK is backing the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

The party’s support for the airport was outlined this week amid growing political momentum to bring the site back into operation and unlock wider economic growth across Doncaster and South Yorkshire.

Connectus, which has supported the airport for 17 years, said the backing further strengthens confidence in the long-term future of the site and the wider Gateway East development.

And they described it as another major vote of confidence in one of the region’s most important regeneration projects.

Roy Shelton, CEO of Connectus, said:

“We are absolutely delighted to see growing political support for the reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

“This is a hugely important project not just for Doncaster, but for the wider region and its future economic growth. The airport has enormous potential to drive investment, create jobs and support businesses across South Yorkshire and beyond.

“At Connectus, we have believed in the long-term future of the airport for many years. Even following its closure, we remained committed to the site, its tenants and its future potential.

“For a company of our size, investing almost £2 million into infrastructure at the airport over the last six years represents a major commitment and a strong statement of confidence in the project.

“The support now being shown from across the political landscape sends a very positive signal to investors, businesses and the wider aviation sector.”

Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK, who has led on this issue for the party said: “We at Reform are big supporters of more regional aviation to drive jobs growth and prosperity. We have been working hard to ensure Doncaster Airport reopening soonest whilst ensuring taxpayers get the best possible deal together with appropriate scrutiny “

Daniel Fell MBE, Chief Executive Officer, Doncaster Chamber, said:

“Connectus are a great example of why a reopened airport will be catalytic for South Yorkshire’s economy. By continuing to invest into the infrastructure on the airport estate, Connectus have got ahead of events and are now well placed to be a key part of DSA’s supply chain and to be benefit would from the uptick in interest and investment in the site.

“As well as being a shining example of how DSA will benefit the region’s indigenous SMEs, I’d also like to commend Connectus’s leadership team for being part of the vanguard of businesses that put their head above the parapet to engage directly with political leaders to make the case for backing the airport and its funding package. Their role in facilitating a cross-party consensus should be commended and hasn’t gone unnoticed.”

Over the last financial year, Connectus accelerated its investment into the airport and Gateway East Business Park, committing £500,000 to expand and upgrade the site’s full-fibre infrastructure.

The investment ensures the airport estate, business park occupiers and future development plots all have access to pre-installed gigabit-capable connectivity capable of supporting aviation operations, logistics, advanced manufacturing and inward investment opportunities.

The latest works bring Connectus’ total infrastructure investment at the site to almost £2 million over the past six years.

Connectus originally began working with Doncaster Sheffield Airport through Peel Holdings, providing connectivity, Wi-Fi, telephony, CCTV, door entry and managed IT services.

Over time, the relationship evolved beyond traditional technology support as the airport became increasingly central to Doncaster’s regeneration ambitions.

When the airport closed in 2022, Connectus retained all staff historically supporting the airport and redeployed them elsewhere within the business while continuing to support tenants and infrastructure at the site.

As City of Doncaster Council and Fly Doncaster progressed plans to reopen and operate the airport, Connectus said it recognised the need for long-term infrastructure confidence and future-ready digital capability.

The company’s latest investment has created a scalable full-fibre platform designed to support the future growth of aviation operations, commercial tenants and new development opportunities across the wider Gateway East site.

Connectus says the airport project represents one of the most significant regeneration opportunities in the North of England and believes strong collaboration between local government, infrastructure providers and political stakeholders will be critical to its long-term success.