First flight arrives at new Durham Tees Valley Airport

New jobs and increased passenger numbers set to follow.

The latest era in North East aviation takes off today (Tuesday September 21) with the launch of a new name and logo for Teesside International Airport.

Over a hundred passengers will depart on the last flight from Teesside International Airport in a specially chartered jet aircraft this morning - returning to land at a VIP ceremony to mark the birth of the new Durham Tees Valley Airport.

The new name is part of an ambitious three year, multi-million pound redevelopment plan by the airport and its strategic regional partners to build on past successes and reinforce its position as one of the UK’s fastest-growing regional airports.

During 2004 alone, some £4 million has already been invested in the first phase of the redevelopment programme, including additional car parking, upgraded terminal traffic infrastructure, terminal building improvements and a new access road to the airport site.

Several hundred new jobs will be created in the wake of the airport’s re-branding and expansion, notably in areas such as passenger check-in, baggage handling and airport services.

Re-naming the airport Durham Tees Valley will help to locate it on the international travel map and provide a modern and convenient gateway to the region for visitors coming to see places like Durham and other historic attractions - further cementing the airport’s commitment to regional tourism.

Hugh Lang, managing director of Durham Tees Valley Airport, said: “We are looking confidently to an exciting future. This new chapter in our history brings a wealth of opportunities on a regional, national and international scale.

By next year, the airport predicts that passenger numbers will break through the one million per year mark – an increase of more than 30% on current passenger numbers.