TUI flights return to Teesside International Airport

A travel operator is returning to a North East airport after nearly a decade.

TUI will begin flights from Teesside International Airport in summer 2022.

The firm’s reappearance comes after its last plane left the airport in 2013.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, who previously brought Teesside International Airport back into public ownership, called the move a “huge vote of confidence” in the site.

According to TUI’s itinerary, the firm will offer weekly flights to Palma, Majorca, from summer 2022.

Flights will begin on May 10, running every Tuesday.

The announcement follows news that the airport’s list of flights for the 2021 summer season is expanding with services to Majorca; Bourgas, in Bulgaria; and an eight-day trip to Italy with an option of ten tours, including Lake Garda.

Mayor Houchen said: “It is fantastic to have TUI – the UK’s largest holiday company – flying from Teesside International once again.

“In 2022, it will have been nine years since a TUI plane departed from Teesside and I’m sure everyone across Teesside, the wider North East and North Yorkshire will be thrilled to have this household name back.

“Our airport, along with the wider airport site, is hugely important for my plan for jobs and landing this type of airline makes airport jobs more secure and is a great springboard for more airport jobs in the future.”

Richard Sofer, TUI commercial and business development director, added: “We know how important regional flying is to our customers and we’re really excited to be adding Teesside back to our UK airport offering from summer 2022.”