September 2011

Robin Hood Airport Doncaster is an international airport located at the former RAF Finningley airbase 3.5 miles southeast of Doncaster and 18 miles east of Sheffield.

During the First World War, it was used as a base by the Royal Flying Corps as they intercepted German Zeppelins targeting the industrial cities of the North. In the Second World War the airfield was used primarily for training purposes, serving as a finishing school for new crews of the larger aircraft in Bomber Command; only a few combat missions took off from Finningley.

It was decommissioned in 1995 and reopened as Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield in April 2005 after low-cost flights and rising passenger demand made a new commercial airport feasible. The identity of the airport was controversial with 11,000 people signing a petition to oppose it as Robin Hood was not, during the 20th century, regularly associated with Doncaster. In its favour are the facts that the original Robin Hood legends are set in Barnsdale Forest, the area of South Yorkshire which surrounded Doncaster and Pontefract and also The Metropolitan Borough of Doncaster is closer to what is left of Sherwood Forest than the city of Nottingham is. Still many citizens of Nottingham feel that Robin Hood should be the icon of their city alone (despite the fact that it was the Sheriff that came from Nottingham).

The airport is home to Doncaster Sheffield Flying School which is the only flying school in Doncaster, offering Introductory Flying Lessons, Pilot Training and Aircraft Hire. As of 2011, The airport is also the base of the last remaining airworthy Avro Vulcan aircraft. The airports busiest route is to Palma de Mallorca so when you're ready to soak up some sun, why not call Aura Journeys Newark and arrive at the airport in style.

Ref: Wikipedia