New holiday routes from Teesside promised as part of re-election campaign
Ben Houchen says flights to Malaga and Tenerife will be offered.
The Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has today promised new holiday routes from Teesside Airport if he is re-elected in May.
The mayor has vowed to deliver new international flights, including routes to Malaga and Tenerife from Teesside International for local people.
Since saving the airport in 2019, household industry names in Ryanair and TUI have been brought to the airport with the partnership with KLM being strengthened further.
The airport currently offers flights to:
Alicante, Dalaman, Corfu, Faro, Majorca, Amsterdam, Bourgas, Aberdeen, Jersey, and Iceland.
Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, said, “Teesside Airport today is unrecognisable from the airport we saved from Peel’s destruction back in 2019.
“We have worked tirelessly to turn things around and in a short space of time we have seen massive progress. We have seen holiday flights to Spain, Greece, Portugal, and Turkey return, alongside the complete transformation of the terminal.
“Our plan is ahead of schedule, we are seeing record passenger numbers, and now is the time to increase our offer to local people further.
“That is why, if re-elected, I will bring flights to Malaga and Tenerife to our airport.
“Whilst my Labour opposition wanted to close the airport and sell it off for housing, I want to make sure more people can visit more Poolside destinations from Teesside. That’s my promise, and that’s what I will deliver, just as I delivered on my pledge to save the airport.”
Away from holiday flights, the airport has also recently begun construction on the new Hangar 4 which will be occupied by international aircraft painting firm, Airborne colours, who are investing £6.5m into the airport. This followed the significant £25m commitment made by Willis Aviation to a new aviation village located on the north side of the runway.
Further to this, the construction of the newly named Mynarski Way and first unit on the business park have now been completed paving the way for new investment into the airport securing its long-term future.
The latest accounts demonstrated that the airport is operating ahead of the 10-year plan.
Houchen will take on Labour's Chris McEwan, the deputy leader of Darlington Borough Council. He says his priorities are transport and community.
Darlington businessman Simon Thorley is running for the Liberal Democrats
And for the Green Party Sally Bunce will be its candidate.