Teesside International Airport unveils new look as first passengers of the summer jet off to Majorca

The new-look airport has been overhauled and upgraded with new check-in desks, and a reconfigured security area with state-of-the-art body and baggage scanners to make passing through smoother and more hassle-free than ever.

Passengers can now relax in one of two luxury lounges, or in new food and drink outlets, including the Landside Café, The Transporter Bar and Kitchen and The Goosepool bar.

They can spend time picking up something from local producers at boutique store House of Zana and Rejoy ahead of a new duty-free store, run by World Duty Free, opening soon.

The transformation has also been supporting local businesses, with 92% of all terminal improvements, from design and electrical work to construction and renovations, being carried out by local firms.

Some of the first passengers to try out the new facilities were jetting off to Palma, Majorca, as Ryanair’s inaugural departure was scheduled to leave at 16.15.

The flight begins Teesside’s summer schedule for the airline, which also includes Alicante, Corfu and Faro in Portugal, all launching in the coming days.

Mayor Houchen said: “When we first brought this airport back into public control, we knew the massive potential that it possessed, but a lack of commitment and funding for years left it looking dated and stuck in the past. It simply wasn’t fit for purpose to process the hundreds of thousands of new passengers we’re working to attract as part of our ten-year turnaround plan.

“With a little bit of TLC and backing from our brilliant local businesses who have secured work on-site to help make our vision a reality, I’m delighted to be able to reveal the new-look Teesside International Airport.

“This goes beyond just a facelift, giving it a new lease of life, with modernised check-in and security reducing stress and waiting times, and cafe, bars, lounges and shops making your full travel experience better than ever.

"This new look also projects the confidence we have in our region and will ensure an impressive, first-class welcome for businesses and tourists no matter where they are coming from.

“Today also marks the first Ryanair flight from our airport, another major milestone in our plans and one which has come well ahead of schedule. I couldn’t be happier to have them on board as we look to the future.

“Make no mistake, this is far from the end. We’re still plugging away behind the scenes to attract even more popular destinations that people across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool are crying out for.

"We’re also capitalising on the huge opportunity that is our Freeport status with our Southside logistics and manufacturing site firmly ready to position the airport more than ever as a hub for growth.

“This is a fantastic milestone for the airport to celebrate during its 80th birthday year and, thanks to everything we’ve been doing, it will live on to see many, many more.”

Paul Howell, MP for Sedgefield added: “It has been wonderful to watch the transformation of Teesside Airport in the last year.

"I have seen first-hand the changes being made and today is another key milestone in the reinvigoration of this critical piece of infrastructure helping businesses and leisure travellers get to and from Teesside.”

Since lockdown restrictions have been eased in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, Teesside International said it is working with all airline partners to reintroduce its full slate of flights as soon as possible.

Loganair are currently serving Aberdeen, Belfast, Bristol, Newquay and London Heathrow, with a third daily Monday to Friday Heathrow service recently announced to begin next month alongside Jersey in the coming weeks.