Plans submitted for £25 million, 200-job Willis Teesside International Airport base

Plans to create a £25 million aircraft maintenance and business flights hub have moved forward.

Willis Lease Finance Corporation – alongside wholly-owned subsidiary Willis Aviation Services Limited – has officially submitted a blueprint to build a base at Teesside International Airport.

Bosses say the development will create as many as 200 jobs.

According to the plans, the company – which already carries out maintenance, storage and disassembly work at the airport – will extend operations out of five hangars.

The proposals also promise an increase in activity at the site’s Jet Centre, with Willis pledging to build on existing ground handling services for business, private aviation, military and cargo flights.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, who previously brought the airport back into public ownership, said: “For any airport to really thrive, it must be about more than just holiday flights.

“Willis has been based at Teesside since 2020 – and have been hugely supportive as we drive forward our airport.

“It’s huge private sector investments like theirs which will secure our airport for the future.”

Councillor Jonathan Dulston, the council’s leader and Tees Valley Combined Authority cabinet member, added: “This is a fantastic investment for Darlington.

“It’s great to see our airport going from strength-to-strength.”

A decision on the plans is expected in the next three months.