Doncaster Sheffield Airport has launched an ambitious ‘Northern Vision for a Connected National Economy’, outlining expected growth over the next 20 years. The vision sees the airport delivering major international connectivity and economic benefits to Yorkshire and the surrounding regions — and the UK as a whole (www.flydsa.co.uk/vision).

It envisages the creation of an ‘airport city’ that would help to transform the North of England, creating 73,000 new jobs in the Sheffield City Region and providing advanced manufacturing, logistics and aviation-led innovation opportunities. It is anticipated that the plan would deliver £3.2 billion GVA per year by 2048 across the region.

A key component is the addition of an airport railway station connected to the East Coast Mainline; requiring only seven miles of new track, this could be open in just five years’ time.

It would provide a direct rail link to London and Newcastle, and it would be connected to major regional centres such as Sheffield, Leeds and Hull.

Up to 9 million people living within a 90min journey time would have access to the airport by public transport.

The station proposal has received widespread support, and it would accelerate the development of housing in the immediate vicinity and surrounding areas.

The vision highlights the airport’s ability to handle up to 250,000 tonnes of cargo per year. It could support the UK’s international trade at a time when no airports in the UK are significantly expanding their cargo capacity.

The vision is now the subject of an eight-week public consultation period (www.flydsa.co.uk/masterplan).

The Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, said: “Doncaster Sheffield Airport is a huge asset for the area, and we are committed to making it a big success. This vision shows how the airport can be an integral part of the local community — a place to live, work and travel.

"The size of the economic prize is unrivalled, and it will be a long-lasting contributor to the rebalancing of the economy.”