TEES TALK
With Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen having secured
the future of the renamed Teesside International
Airport, we asked eight of our local business leaders:
What progress and changes do you want to see at
the airport over the next year or two?
Phil Forster, head of airport development,
Teesside International Airport
“The announcements by Balkan Holidays
and the new JetsGoHolidays flights to
Palma, both operating for summer 2020,
are fantastic - and we’re working hard on
securing additional routes.
“We also have a massive site to progress,
and developing these plans for the airport are
paramount to its success. It’s great to have
such close ties with the combined authority.
Using their expertise to attract inward
investment is something we are keen to do.” Elaine McLaine-Wood, managing partner,
Punch Robson Solicitors
“Now that the airport has been renamed
Teesside International Airport, the identity of
this alone has secured a strong connection with
the local community. But the airport needs to
be sustainable and, for this to be achieved, we
need to attract more airlines and partners to work
alongside the airport.
“Price is an issue, since we need to be
competitive with Newcastle and Leeds-Bradford,
while infrastructure with regards to transport to
and from the airport needs to be maximised.”
Beverley Boden, principal lecturer, Teesside
University Business School.
“It is vitally important that the airport
continues to develop its brand and reputation
within the Tees Valley, as for many years local
people have longed for the airport to succeed
and thrive once again.
“Teesside Airport needs to secure the
backing of a low-cost carrier to a popular
summer sun destination as well as regular
daily scheduled services to London. We
are working closely with the airport to
ensure that our courses and graduate talent
meet its needs as it continues to grow and
make a positive contribution to the region’s
economy.” Bianca Robinson, CEO, CEO Sleepout
“Teesside International Airport will provide a boost
for local holiday-makers and businesses alike. As
well as services to popular holiday spots, I’d like to
see frequent services to key hubs in the UK and
Europe - such as Gatwick and Heathrow, Charles
de Gaulle and Schiphol.
“There’s a huge opportunity for Teesside
International to lead on sustainability. I would like
to see the airport commit to offsetting carbon
emissions - with the onus being on the airport and
not the passenger. And I’d like to see a Teesside
Airport train station added to the Darlington-
Saltburn route.”
Derek Laird, managing director, Next Level
Security Services
“It is great to see Teesside International
Airport back to being called by its rightful
name - finally it has an identity! In the next
year or two, I’d like to see a daily return flight
to London – whether that be London City,
Gatwick or Heathrow - which would enable
us to have direct access to our contracts in
the capital and the south.
“As a regional hub with daily connections
to London, it would also give us access to
our overseas contracts without train or road
journeys.”
Andrew Rowe, partner, Baldwins Group
“The obvious things required are a
partnership with a low-cost carrier, regular
flights to London and Aberdeen - and getting
rid of the £6 passenger fee or at least making
it contactless and easier to pay quickly.
“Teessiders need to be asked to back
the airport. Even if it costs £50 more to fly
from Teesside than it does from Leeds or
Newcastle, it needs to be explained that this
is a price worth paying for the future benefits
it will bring.”
Malcolm Knott, managing director, ITS
“When Teesside International Airport hit nearly
one million passengers some years ago I felt quite
buoyant – our regional airport was ‘on the up’. I
view Teesside as a better positioned airport than
either Newcastle or Leeds-Bradford. Over the
subsequent years I grew angry at what I saw as
Peel’s ‘planned’ decline.
“I joined the Save Teesside Airport campaign
and supported their aims as well as those of the
Tees Valley mayor to return the airport to its former
glory. I believe the airport is vital to the growth of
this region and I am delighted it’s back.”
Natalie Makari, operations manager, RMS
“Having followed the recent progress of the
airport, we were extremely excited to hear the
airport had been rebranded to its pre-2004 name.
This significant move will cement Teesside’s
profile and capability in the wider travel industry,
providing many economic benefits for our local
community, its supply chain and the employment
market.
“At RMS, we hope the further development
for the airport continues to mirror its routes,
going back to basics, attracting more airlines and
partners, providing a service that complements
both business and personal travel, investing in the
future of Teesside and its people.”