Teesside Airport secures deal in boost to sector

Teesside Airport has inked an agreement with global carrier European Cargo, which will oversee the creation of a new long-haul air freight link to China.

As part of the agreement, European Cargo will create a new operational base at Teesside Airport Business Park in a multi-million-pound investment expected to strengthen the airport’s position as a key logistics gateway for the north of England.

The new service will launch five cargo flights a week, starting this month, with the capacity to transport up to 375 tonnes of freight each week. It will fly from Teesside with European Cargo’s dedicated fleet of Airbus A340-600 long-haul freighters which can transport up to 76 metric tonnes of cargo.

The service will open up faster, more direct export routes for UK manufacturers and businesses, and the new European Cargo base will drive job creation.

This latest deal builds on multiple investments from the private sector at Teesside Airport last year, including Willis Aviation Service’s £13.5 million aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facility.

Teesside Airport Managing Director Phil Forster said: “This is a transformational agreement for our airport and a further major milestone in delivering on our ambition to establish Teesside as a leading UK centre for the aviation and logistics industry.

“Securing a new freight base and direct links to China is a pivotal moment that significantly strengthens our commercial offering and demonstrates the confidence global operators have in what we are building here.

“The impact of this deal will be substantial – not only in boosting cargo operations and revenue, but in firmly positioning the airport as a strategic location for aviation, freight and future investment. It underlines our ambition to develop a highly commercially successful airport that plays an essential role in driving the region’s economic future.”

Logistics UK’s Senior Policy Manager Alexandra Herdman said: “Regional airports have a major part to play in supporting global trade and connectivity, and this latest deal between Teesside International Airport and European Cargo demonstrates that.

“The agreement will strengthen the delivery of fast, direct services that operators depend on to move goods, contributing to economic growth and efficiency.”