First flights to London take off from Teesside Airport in over a decade

Teesside Airport’s maiden flight to London City Airport departed at 7.15am on Monday, July 6, with Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen and a number of North-East MPs on hand to mark the occasion.

Eastern Airways’ route to the capital runs daily between Monday and Friday. It is due to return to a twice-daily route on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays as demand is expected to increase after the coronavirus pandemic.

The Mayor says the direct link into the heart of London will not only be welcomed by travellers and businesses, but also boosts investment opportunities in the Tees Valley, and progress further with his recovery plan for jobs.

Mayor Houchen said: “It was fantastic to wave off our MPs and other passengers this morning on Teesside Airport’s first flight to London in more than 10 years.

“This has been a long time coming and despite the difficult circumstances we are recovering from, we can’t shy away from what a significant moment this is both for our airport and our region.

“Investment into our region won’t come on a bus, it will come through our airport terminal. Connecting workers and businesses in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool into the heart of London is crucial for my plan for jobs – creating high skilled, good quality local jobs for local people.

“Today’s launch will make our ties with the capital stronger than ever.”

Sedgefield MP Paul Howell who was one of five North East MPs onboard the first London flight called it a ‘momentous occassion’ for the airport and praised the mayor and his team.

He said: “These flights will be welcomed by so many people who travel in and out of London and by many businesses who rely on good connectivity with the capital, helping us to support jobs across the North-East.

Flights to Newquay in Cornwall also started on Monday just days after the Prime Minister allowed tourism and hospitality businesses to reopen.

KLM Royal Dutch Airways will restart its Amsterdam Schiphol route on August 3, and Mayor Houchen and airport bosses remain in discussions about restarting other routes when the situation allows.

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