Work on 4400-job Teesside International Airport business park “to start in weeks”

Work to create a 4400-job airport business park will begin in weeks, it has been revealed.

Teesside International Airport says contractors are primed to start work on a £200 million distribution hub that will make the site “secure and profitable for years to come”.

According to the plans, the first phase of work on the 1.9 million sq ft development – set for the airport’s south side – will see four units erected and a new link road created.

Bosses say subsequent plots, of between one and 200 acres, will be developed as businesses switch to the airport.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, who fulfilled a 2017 election pledge when he returned the airport to public ownership, said the business park represents a tremendous opportunity for the base to secure fresh growth beyond flights.

He also said it will provide further momentum for the site, which recently confirmed the return of Teesside Airshow after a five-year hiatus and was previously boosted by the arrival of aircraft maintenance firm Willis.

He said: “I’ve always said our airport is about far more than just flights for business and pleasure, as important as these are.

“For our airport to thrive, we need to have a fantastic offering for local businesses and to attract firms from other parts of the UK, and from around the world, to come to our region – bringing investment and good-quality, well-paid jobs.

“We’ve already seen commitment from the likes of Draken and Willis, which currently operate out of our airport, but there’s still so much untapped potential and this multi-million-pound development will bring even more.

“This will not only benefit companies looking to base themselves here and grow – including those linked to aviation and logistics – but provide funding that we can pump back into our airport to make it secure and profitable for years to come.”