Teesside Airport Today:

Tees Valley Regeneration in partnership with Peel Holdings have announced investment of £110 million for a new business park next to Durham Tees Valley Airport.

SKYLINK International Business Park is expected to create around 2,000 jobs and is the fifth multi-million pound physical regeneration scheme to be launched by Tees Valley Regeneration.

The 250-acre park will offer over two million sq ft of business space aimed at businesses requiring 20,000 and 500,000 sq ft with particular emphasis on airport related business and freight companies.

Developed in conjunction with One North East and Homes and Communities Agency, SKYLINK International Business Park will offer occupiers access to the world through the fast growing Durham Tees Valley Airport, as well as excellent road, rail and sea links.

I really fear for the future of Teesside Airport, or Durham Tees Valley as it's officially known as, there is a severe lack of flights and a massive decline in passenger numbers. Something really needs to be done to help the airport move forward and hopefully get those plans for the extension realised.

I know an interesting argument thats always raised when discussing this airport is its name, do you think Durham Tees Valley should be kept? or revert back to Teesside or try something completely different?

Yes, me too. Flights seem to be leaving all the time. But i think there was some relatively good news a couple of months back when a company announced that they were increasing there flights. I think it will survive, at least for the next couple of years it will just hang on to having enough passengers, but i feel within 10 years it'll start to grow from strength to strength.

On the Name issue, i knew someone would bring it up. As you might of guessed from the thread title i'm strongly against it being Durham Tees Valley Airport, would prefer it to be Teesside Airport or even Tees Valley Airport.
Theres still a lot of signs in the area that point to "Teesside Airport" and often other airports still refer to it as teesside i've noticed on the to and from screens.

What do you think regarding the name?

I hope it manages to survive and then begin to grow again, obviously its a tough time at the moment for all airports.

Regarding the name I dont I've ever heard anybody call it Durham Tees Valley unless its been the media. It obviously wasn't rebranded as thoroughly as it should have been if they wanted the name to stick, infact I think Durham could be closer to Newcastle Airport than Durham Tees Valley, which is rather strange.

So for that reason I think it should go back to something relating to just Teesside.

Yes, hopefully it'll just hang on in there.

Exactly, know-one round here calls it DTV airport. Yep, Durham might be, but there argument is that its almost in County Durham. But the majority of south County Durham is classed as Teesside or Tees Valley anyway now, even if its not officially on all the maps, so it should just be changed back to Teesside. The Durham bit obviously hasn't worked to attract more tourists to the area, rightly or wrongly.

I think the worst thing to happen to the airport was to change the name ,why change something which was a good brand and worked well.
It was supposedly BMI who wanted the name changing ,they got their way even though everyone was opposed to it then buggered off taking their link to Heathrow with them.
Change it back to Teesside and give us our airport back.

Ah yes it was, BMI! :@

Lets start a campaign to get it back! :P

What do you think regarding the name?

I think it should be changed back, the name is too long and doesn't really represent the are. Teesside or Tees Valley Airport would be far better. As has been pointed out a lot of signs still refer to the old name and even the train station is still known as 'Teesside Airport'.

Lack of flights is a huge problem, I have to admit when I'm looking at travelling anywhere I don't even bother to check them any more. Far more choice from Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds/Bradford.

Yes, seems the overall opinion on here is to change it back, which i'm sure is reflected outside the forum too.

Do you live locally smash17?

Unfortunately, your probably right. But maybe its our duty as local Teessiders to support the airport as much as we can and use it as often as possible, yes it may only have limited flights, but for example, if you have a flight at Heathrow, instead of driving or getting train/bus down, fly from Teesside Airport to Heathrow.

There was/is meant to be some development round there with new hotels etc., but these won't happen until visitor number pick up dramatically.

http://aimeecait.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/800px-dtv_terminal.jpg

That's the first time that I've seen the terminal since the redevelopment of the terminal front. Has the inside changed much at all?

Outside is a big improvement, its just a facade on the front of the old building.

As far as i'm aware (haven't been inside for a couple of years) it hasn't changed much at all, other than a general clean up and modernizing slightly, with the odd North East England poster.

Do you live locally smash17?


From Hartlepool but currently living in Newcastle. Travel all around the North East though.

I can't say I'm a fan of domestic flights but in these times it's very much a case of use it or lose it with the airport. A huge sticking point for me is that I rely on public transport and by the time you use a combination of buses and trains to get from, say, Hartlepool to the airport you might as well just use Darlington train station (or Hartlepool's Grand Central) to go to London or wherever.

Is the regular airbus still running? I live 15 minutes metro ride from Newcastle Airport but have used teesside in the past when it's been cheaper, hopefully it will be able to hold on through these times and grow again once we emerge from recession. Tees Valley and County Durham has a large population and could easily support an Airport but it could really do with one of the big low cost airlines showing it more support.

The choice of routes from the North East compared to say East Midlands, Liverpool or Bristol is a joke.

From Hartlepool but currently living in Newcastle. Travel all around the North East though.

I can't say I'm a fan of domestic flights but in these times it's very much a case of use it or lose it with the airport. A huge sticking point for me is that I rely on public transport and by the time you use a combination of buses and trains to get from, say, Hartlepool to the airport you might as well just use Darlington train station (or Hartlepool's Grand Central) to go to London or wherever.

Ah ok. Yes, i understand, its not to easy locally to just go to Teesside Airport when there is many other options that can end up being cheaper.

Is the regular airbus still running? I live 15 minutes metro ride from Newcastle Airport but have used teesside in the past when it's been cheaper, hopefully it will be able to hold on through these times and grow again once we emerge from recession. Tees Valley and County Durham has a large population and could easily support an Airport but it could really do with one of the big low cost airlines showing it more support.

The choice of routes from the North East compared to say East Midlands, Liverpool or Bristol is a joke.

airbus? I'm not sure. Teesside needs to concentrate on getting as many cheap flights as possible i think. It does have a large population, but then again theres other airports relatively close that offer people more flights and for a better price. Although, i still think there should be some sort of local event done to try and kick start the airport.

airbus? I'm not sure. Teesside needs to concentrate on getting as many cheap flights as possible i think. It does have a large population, but then again theres other airports relatively close that offer people more flights and for a better price. Although, i still think there should be some sort of local event done to try and kick start the airport.

I think the only way for the airport to succeed is to go down the low cost route. However, I'm sure it's been reported that the airport charges pretty high rates for using the facilities and don't want to budge.

Yes, i think it does need to get some low cost flights in and with a bit more variety as people probably don't even bother looking at Teesside, as they presume they don't fly to the places they want to go to.

Turbulent times as Durham Tees Valley Airport airport cuts jobs
DURHAM Tees Valley Airport has announced a radical revamp after passenger numbers fell by 53% to 300,000 in 2009.

The shake-up will see its terminal building segregated into first and second-class lounges and the airport will now close overnight. There will be 32 job losses.

The move follows a tough year for the air travel industry globally which impacted on the terminus near Darlington and led to it losing its three-times-a-day flight to London.

Passenger numbers in 2009 were 306,323 compared with 670,000 in 2008.

The job cuts will leave the airport with 143 staff and airport chiefs say the remaining staff will be asked to adopt more flexible working arrangements.

Airport director Kerry Quinn said: “Every aspect of air travel has been hit by the economic crisis and we have to look at how best we can respond to the greatly changed world in which we are now operating, at the same time as ensuring that we are in a position to exploit all possible opportunities for the future.

“Regrettably, creating financial stability in the current economic situation does mean reducing our overall staff numbers and modernising all aspects of the operation, including looking at those services we can best deliver ‘in house’ and those which are best outsourced, together with the introduction of greater flexibility through multi-skilling.

“Implementing change is never easy, but we firmly believe the proposals we have announced provide the best way forward to ensure that the airport has a sound future and can continue to make a valuable contribution to our local economy.”

She went on to say that passenger numbers have been hit by increases in the Air Passenger Duty (APD), which has attracted opposition from airlines and businesses – highlighted in the Journal’s Tax Too Far campaign.

Roger Wiltshire, secretary general of the British Air Transport Association, said: “The industry is having to take difficult decisions as a result of the deepest recession for many decades.

“Although there are signs of this bottoming out, the recent increases in APD, the UK passenger tax, to be followed by another unjustified rise later this year will simply add to the harsh environment the industry is facing.

“Developing and maintaining routes can be tricky at the best of times, but the current economic climate combined with the added burdens imposed by Government will continue to impact upon airports, airlines and travelling public.”

DTVA, which is owned by the Peel Airports Group, says the move to a twin terminal operation will see the terminal building divided in a premium area targeted at scheduled services and business travellers and another area which will handle holiday charter and low-cost services.

Ms Quinn said the new-look airport had been developed following detailed discussions with airlines and was already delivering results – highlighted by Eastern Airways’ recently- introduced service to Southampton.

Darren Roberts, Eastern Airways’ communications manager, said: “We’ve provided the local business community with essential transport links from Durham Tees Valley Airport for nearly 10 years.

“Our long-established Aberdeen service continues to save business travellers valuable time. The launch of our Southampton service in October further demonstrates our commitment.”


http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2010/01/14/turbulent-times-as-durham-tees-valley-airport-airport-cuts-jobs-51140-25596480/


:ohno: Not good news at all.

Not good news, and it looks like it maybe one of the final nails in it's coffin. If Newcastle is allowed to expand, and HSR rail ever comes to the region I can see it just folding altogether.

I think if they can survive the next couple of years then the situation will improve but the fact is they need to have flights to the places people want to go!

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/tm_campaign=Gazettelive_email_gazette-live-email%3A20100114%26headline=jobs-under-threat-in-durham-tees-valley-airport-revamp%26method=full%26objectid=25600214%26siteid=84229-name_page.html?campaign=Gazettelive_email_gazette-live-email%3A20100114

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/gazettelive2/jan2010/3/4/durham-tees-valley-airport-artist-impressions-932281746.jpg

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/gazettelive2/jan2010/7/4/durham-tees-valley-airport-artist-impressions-333501443.jpg

You've only got to read the comments on that Gazette article to see what locals think of the Airport. They need to get a budget airline (Ryanair, easyJet etc) on board by offering them a special price undercutting whatever the other airports are offering, Ryanair showed recently that they have no problem moving to the less fashionable airports if the price is right.

I'm guessing the top render is for the charter/low cost check in and the bottom render is for the scheduled lounge?

@ TownPlanningNE - Yes the top render will be for the low cost check-in, but not too sure about the 2nd, it might just be the departure lounge for the low cost, as i would of thought the business class would of been even better than that with comfy seats etc. :P

@ Smash17 - Haven't read the comments, but you got to bare in mind that the majority who comment on that site are pretty negative about everything, but from what i understand from reading your post, they weren't being, and i totally agree, we just need some decent flights to Europe instead of to all these Spanish resorts, we want flight to Italy for example, places like Rome or Italy and places that don't just cater for those who want to sit by a pool for two weeks or get drunk every night!

I read on Tuesday that Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt is a new destination from Durham Tees Valley and flights to Tenerife-South will resume, both on November 28th. The former will really struggle for passengers if Labour's APD hike on November 1st comes into effect.

^ ah yes saw that. Its a good thing that theres a couple more flights, but they're hardly going to secure the airports future.

I read on Tuesday that Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt is a new destination from Durham Tees Valley.

Seems like an odd choice to me, what airline is running that route?

Think its Thomson, heres the article from last week:

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/2010/01/19/new-durham-tees-valley-airport-flights-announced-84229-25633389/

Think its Thomson, heres the article from last week:

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/2010/01/19/new-durham-tees-valley-airport-flights-announced-84229-25633389/

Good stuff.

Don't think its going to make any real change to the passenger numbers like!

Well it's certainly a step in the right direction; however many more flights are needed to get the passenger numbers back up!

A good start would be changing the name back to what its supposed to be!

A good start would be changing the name back to what its supposed to be!

I agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seems like an odd choice to me, what airline is running that route?

Not really, it's used by loads of people now for weekend breaks and partying, it's now said to of been spoilt and is just another Ibiza or Tenerife.

Even airports like Doncaster-Sheffield has it as a location now, and flights are usually pretty cheap.

Not really, it's used by loads of people now for weekend breaks and partying.

But this is only going to run once a week on Sundays, so unless you use another airport you'll have to go for a week/2 weeks.

But, although it could be a coincidence, Teesside airport used to have a a wide variety of flights and was surviving quite well, under the name Teesside airport, they brought the new name in to attract people to the area and improve the passenger numbers, but ever since they changed the name to Durham Tees Valley the airport has got worse, the plan hasn't worked so just change it back to what its supposed to be.

DTV have just struck an agreement with Air Lingus to operate a 6 x weekly service to Dublin under the new 'Aer Lingus Regional' brand using ATR72-500 aircraft.

Flights start 28th March .. £19.99 from DTV : £35 from Dublin (Sun - Fri)

Some positive news for DTV at last :cheers:

Well thats really good news! At last more services are slowly starting up! Just the kind of boost the airport is in need of! Just wish NCL could get a decent Dublin service!

DTV have just struck an agreement with Air Lingus to operate a 6 x weekly service to Dublin under the new 'Aer Lingus Regional' brand using ATR72-500 aircraft.

Flights start 28th March .. £19.99 from DTV : £35 from Dublin (Sun - Fri)

Some positive news for DTV at last :cheers:

Now that is bloody good news, well done DTV.

Good news, now for some flights to other European Cities please!!!

Not too bad prices either. Where'd you get the info. from?

Good news, now for some flights to other European Cities please!!!

Not too bad prices either. Where'd you get the info. from?

It was a 'press release' within an internal news letter .. It's also been on a few irish media sites.

Basically the result of a business merger between Air Lingus and Aer Arann which releases a lot of routes into the sector allowing expansion at various regional airports and increases frequency on existing routes.

Aer Arann will operate the routes but will be under new livery ..

expect a press release on DTV website soon :)

Thanks for keeping us informed! Will keep my out for it coming on the Teesside airport website.

Hopefully some over airlines will merge then to increase our flight numbers!!! :P

Air freight is set to soar at Durham Tees Valley Airport
KLM is to introduce freight on inbound flights to Durham Tees Valley Airport.

It will be the first time in two years that DTVA has handled direct deliveries of international cargo, the last of which disappeared just weeks after owner Peel Holdings unveiled ambitious plans to build a freight distribution park to help drive traffic through the terminal in 2008. Progress on the Skylink Business Park has now ground to a virtual standstill.

KLM’s twice-daily cargo service, which will operate on a six-month trial basis on two of its three daily feeder services to Schipol, was first mooted in October by DTVA-based, Camair.

The small cargo handler, formerly known as BSF, was acquired by Casper Shipping, Teesport’s biggest agency, around five years ago.

Chairman Kevin Shakesheff said it was important for businesses to get behind the new service.

“We obviously have a vested interest, but I genuinely think this airport has huge potential,” he said. “We need to campaign to keep as much as we can coming in and out of it - whether that’s passengers or cargo.”

KLM, which has successfully introduced freight services on other regional routes - notably to Newcastle last April, which will handle around 20t this year - said it was looking to follow the footprint of its passenger services, which have expanded across the UK as competitors abandoned increasingly costly connections to Heathrow. Most recently, KLM opened up a service from Schipol to Liverpool John Lennon airport, also owned by Peel.

Andrew Galloway, KLM cargo account manager for the north of England, said the service - which will accept individual parcels of up to 70kg - was likely to appeal to businesses dealing in high value items with limited life and time-sensitive deliveries.

“We are looking for niche markets,” he said. “In the Tees Valley area you have the petro chemical industries, but on the Humber we are even looking at fisheries. If you want to get salmon to dining tables in New York, you want to get it there before it goes off.”

If the trial was successful, the company would look to introduce an outbound service.

The majority of existing airfreight handled at DTVA is trucked north from London terminals.

“If you supply into London Heathrow getting it up to the North-east means road haulage. We can get it there 24 hours quicker,” said Mr Galloway.

Mr Shakesheff said the cost of shipping small items by air had fallen dramatically. “People are often surprised - it’s greener, too, compared to road haulage,

“Most of these cargos are already going out through other airports. What we want businesses to do in the Durham Tees Valley area is make sure they ask for it to come here.”


http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2010/01/28/air-freight-is-set-to-soar-at-durham-tees-valley-airport-51140-25705493/

Thanks for posting. Seems good, how come theres loads of news about Teesside airport recently??? Seems like things are gradually looking up for the airport.

Thanks for posting. Seems good, how come theres loads of news about Teesside airport recently??? Seems like things are gradually looking up for the airport.

I was thinking the exact same. Quite a few positive pieces of news recently, lets hope it keeps up!

For it to have any advantage to us local people though, we need some decent flights instead of just concentrating on the business side of the airport.

The airport should be more popular with large aircrafts like as it has one of the longest runways in the UK so i'm told.

For it to have any advantage to us local people though, we need some decent flights instead of just concentrating on the business side of the airport.

The airport should be more popular with large aircrafts like as it has one of the longest runways in the UK so i'm told.

It's actually on the 'short side' at about 7500ft. One of the issues Newcastle Airport has is it's runway length (7650ft) when it comes to fully laden long haul aircraft operations. It is within the 'masterplan' to extend to 9000ft at the '07' threshold but priorities have changed due to the credit crunch. Teeside's runway is shorter again and without major investment will always remain that of a small local airport. I love Teeside airport and have many fond memories of holidays to the sun during the boom days.

Durham Tees Valley has just been voted the 'Worst Performing Airport in Europe' ... so to me the only way Teeside can now survive is by keeping the key scheduled routes operating, obtaining a London link again and a decent summer charter timetable. Most of all .. route's need to be advertised !!!! The new Aer Arann service promotion has been such a slow burn it's laughable :bash:

Durham Tees Valley Airport chiefs in investment talks
THE owner of Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTVA) has confirmed it is in discussions with potential investment partners for its loss-making airports division.

Peel Group’s airports operation has seen losses escalate by more than 15% following a slump in passenger numbers.

The group, which also owns airports at Liverpool and Doncaster, said talks with potential suitors were “ongoing” but the nature of the joint venture had not yet been decided.

The possibility of a new investor taking a majority stake in the airports division has not been ruled out.

In the year to March 31 2009, Peel Airports made a pre-tax loss of £13.1m - a 16.7% rise on the £11.2m loss a year earlier - while revenues fell from £53.4m to £48.4m.

Falling sales were exacerbated by a 20% drop in passenger numbers at DTVA, from 758,533 in 2007-2008 to 604,778 - a figure which has since slumped to around 300,000.

Peel blamed the decline on loss of services from Ryanair, Wizz and Flyglobespan and said rising costs, reduced demand and the slow recovery of the UK economy had contributed to “volatile” market conditions.

The group also slammed the Government for failing to create a competitive climate for UK regional airlines.

“We feel that our airports, like most regional airports, are becoming less competitive in comparison to our competitor airports in Europe due to unfair Air Passenger Duty applied on every departing passenger originating from the UK whilst across (the) European Continental market similar taxation is absent or is being scrapped,” Peel said.

DTVA has been hit by the loss of key services including bmi’s Heathrow route, which carried around 80,000 passengers a year, and Ryanair’s Dublin service.

But these losses have been partially offset by recent wins including the Eastern Airways service to Southampton and a Dublin route operated by Irish carriers Aer Lingus and Aer Arann due to go live later this year.


http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2010/01/29/durham-tees-valley-airport-chiefs-in-investment-talks-51140-25713783/

@maxtoon - thanks for clearing that up, and yes it needs to advertise itself, i bet most of the people my age have never flown from Teesside, some probably aren't even aware it exists!!!

Another article in NE business then!!!

A STRUGGLING airport could receive a major investment boost after it emerged that a Canadian company is looking to take a stake in the business.

The Northern Echo understands that talks are ongoing between Vancouver Airport Services and Peel Holdings, which operates Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTVA), near Darlington.

Peel Holdings would not confirm or deny that negotiations had taken place when asked last night, but a spokesman reiterated the firm’s desire to sell part of its airport business, Peel Airports.

Industry expert David Bentley said DTVA would benefit from the potential investment by Vancouver Airport Services, a firm he said was “wellrespected in the industry”.

Vancouver Airport Services operates 18 small to mediumsized airports around the world, serving a combined 30 million passengers annually.

Several failing airports had been turned around by the Canadian company, said Mr Bentley, joint managing director of consultancy Big Pond Aviation.

“They have the funding, they have the expertise, I think it would be a good thing for the North-East if they are involved in a deal,” he added.

As well as DTVA, Peel Airports operates Robin Hood Doncaster-Sheffield, and Liverpool John Lennon airports.

There is understood to be no danger that the airports would be sold individually.

As reported yesterday, a survey by an industry magazine rated DTVA bottom of 300 European airports after figures revealed that passenger numbers had halved within a year. Airlines bmi, Flyglobespan,

Thomson and Ryanair all axed routes from the airport last year.

But Mr Bentley said: “DTVA had a very bad year in 2009, but I don’t think it has reached the end of the line.”

Meanwhile, DTVA bosses are on a collision course with the Government over controversial body scanners that produce a naked image of passengers.

Peel Airports is refusing to commit to installing the Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT), which Gordon Brown has insisted is vital to defeat terrorists.

The Prime Minister backed the scanners, which allow security staff to detect explosives hidden on a passenger’s body, after the Christmas Day attempted bombing on a flight to Detroit, in the US.

Yesterday, the department for Transport (DfT) ordered all airports to install them before the summer holiday season, stating they must be in place “in the coming months”.

The scanners cost between £80,000 and £100,000 each, and a major airport would need to have several. So far, the Dft has only “encouraged” airports to adopt the scanners, although it has the power to order

them into line, if necessary.

But a spokesman for Peel Airports Group said there was only the “potential” for the scanners to be introduced.

He added: “We are awaiting clarification from the DfT over the use of body scanners and so are unable to comment as to whether Durham Tees Valley Airport will see such machines being installed.”

Newcastle Airport also said it was awaiting further information from the DfT, but added: “We will work with them on whatever measures are deemed necessary.”

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/4884843.___Canadians_may_invest_in_struggling_airport___/

Could be potentially great news for the airport ... The only bad part is that 'Peel' have to be involved :ohno:

Could this mean theres a possibilitiy that this company might get some flights on to North America from Teesside!?!?!? :D

Passenger numbers at DTVA fell from 656,620 in 2008 to 289,464 in 2009. A massive drop.

Wow it is, not really a surprise though, offer some half decent locations and it'd increase.

Summer timetable looking dire this year .. very few charters and almost no based aircraft. Kerry Quinn certainly jumped ship at a crucual time, be interesting to see how well Cardiff perform with her at the helm. She certainly left her 2 year mark on DTV. :ohno:

Yep, not too many flights at Teesside. Unless you want to go to Spain. There has been a couple of new additions htough with a couple of extra flights a day been put on.....

Looks like the airport has won its battle for compensation in court against BMI Baby airlines for withdrawing its services 4 yrs ago.
It was BMI who insisted making the airport change its name to Durham Tees Valley ,I wonder if we can have the old name back now please

Heard this on the news this morning, good to hear they have won. Yes, we want the name back, we should start a petition to get it changed back!

Passengers face £6 airport charge at Durham Tees Valley
October 15th 2010, by Mike Hughes, Evening Gazette

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/nebusiness/oct2010/3/8/durham-tees-valley-airport-director-mike-morton-444948782.jpg

DURHAM TEES VALLEY Airport is to start charging passengers to use its terminal.

From November 15th, each adult passenger will have to pay £6 to move past the security checks and into the departure lounge, with children from 3 to 15 being charged £3.

The airport is now battling for survival, with falling passenger numbers and shareholders putting pressure on bosses to deliver profits or face closure.

With passenger numbers collapsing by more than 30%, the move is a huge gamble for Vancouver Airport Services (VAS), the parent company which only took over Peel Airports in June.

The Passenger Facility Fee will raise around £500,000 a year, but Peel are pinning a lot of their hopes on passenger loyalty, believing that people will pay around £20 per family almost as an investment to keep their local airport viable.

The model is already in place at Blackpool, Newquay and Norwich, but not at DTV’s neighbour, Newcastle. The gamble is how easy it is for apparently loyal passengers to be wooed away by a one-hour journey with no fee at the end.

Craig Richmond, chief executive of Peel, which also owns Liverpool and Doncaster, said: “No one likes being asked to pay money, but I hope the whole community will recognise that it is something we have to do if the airport is able to move forward.”

But Darlington Borough Councillor Doris Jones, who lives in Middleton One Row, less than a mile from the airport, said: “Increasing charges is more likely to send them off to Newcastle.


Read More - http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news//tm_headline=passengers-face-163-6-airport-charge-at-durham-tees-valley%26method=full%26objectid=27478224%26siteid=51140-name_page.html

Such a shame Peel got their hands on i and turned it from being a good regional airport into a failed attempt at a low-cost terminal. Attracting BMIBaby was a big mistake, as it meant the charter flights it had accumulated decided to pull out, followed by BMIBaby when they realised the market could not spport such flights. The same thing is being witnessed at Doncaster now. Unfortunately i cannot see the airport lasting much longer.

bmi were also an influence in getting the name changed from Teesside to DTV, then pulling out and leaving the locals with a name they don't support, meaning locals distance themselves from the airport and it recives less support locally. This charge is only going to make things worse.....

Durham Tees Valley Airport charge to take off
November 12th 2010, by Mike Hughes, Evening Gazette

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/nebusiness/oct2010/3/8/durham-tees-valley-airport-director-mike-morton-444948782.jpg

BOSSES at Durham Tees Valley Airport have made a final plea to passengers facing a £6 charge to use the airport from Monday.

The Passenger Facility Fee of £6 for adults and £2 for children aged 3-15 is part of a strategy to secure the Airport’s future and stabilise its finances.

Airport Director Mike Morton said: “Obviously in the early days following the introduction of the fee we expect that some people will need help and information.

“Since the announcement of the fee last month we have had a lot of people accessing the information on our dedicated website and I would urge passengers travelling from next week to check our website.

“We are aware that there will be cases where people will have booked their flight or holiday package prior to the announcement of the fee.

“What we would advise is that any passenger who made a booking prior to November 1 should bring along proof of the booking date and they will be able to enter the departure lounge without paying the fee.”

Pay Stations have been installed in the Airport terminal, together with a change facility - and in the future the airport hopes to be able to introduce a system for people to pre-purchase online.

Craig Richmond, Chief Executive of Peel Airports, which owns DTV, said: “I remain optimistic that the airport has a bright long-term future provided we can meet the current challenges and I have been pleased that key partners, for instance the local authorities and business organisations, understand the reasons for the actions we are having to take.


Read More - http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2010/11/12/durham-tees-valley-airport-charge-to-take-off-51140-27646748/

I'm sure the aireport has lost a lot of business recently, due to the weather, its been closed the majority of the week.

Ryanair pulls last flight from Durham Tees Valley Airport
January 11th 2011, by Jez Davison, Evening Gazette


BUDGET airline Ryanair has pulled its last flight from Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTV) just weeks after the airport introduced a controversial new passenger charge.

Ryanair will no longer offer its summer route from Teesside to the Spanish holiday destination of Alicante.

The route was the airline’s last remaining flight from DTV following its withdrawal of services to Dublin and Barcelona Girona.

Although Ryanair would not say why it had pulled the Alicante service, rising costs are understood to be behind the decision.

The news will be a blow to DTV, which introduced a £6 adult passenger surcharge last year as part of a strategy to secure its financial future and raise around £500,000 per year.


Read More - http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news//tm_headline=ryanair-pulls-last-flight-from-durham-tees-valley-airport%26method=full%26objectid=27965915%26siteid=51140-name_page.html

KLM boost for Durham Tees Valley Airport
by Mike Hughes, Evening Gazette, April 5th 2011

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/nebusiness/oct2010/3/8/durham-tees-valley-airport-director-mike-morton-444948782.jpg

DURHAM Tees Valley airport has received another boost as it battles to build itself a long-term future.

A revised three-times-a-day KLM service to Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam - one of Europe’s most important international hubs - is widely used by the region’s business community as well as long-haul leisure passengers.

Airport director, Mike Morton, said: “We have a long-standing relationship with KLM and one of the key benefits of the revised schedule is that it means improved links for passengers on flights to and from many destinations including Singapore, Hong Kong, New York and Frankfurt.


Read More - http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2011/04/05/klm-boost-for-durham-tees-valley-airport-51140-28461182/

Good to see more frequency in flights @ Teesside airport. But shame there isn't a low cost airline running flights to Amsterdam as these flights can be very expensive.

Further blow for struggling Durham Tees Valley Airport
Saturday 13th August 2011, Andy Richardson, Northern Echo


Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTV) was dealt another blow last night as Eastern Airways confirmed its Southampton service will be axed from next month.

The announcement came after airport bosses admitted they were struggling to secure new routes that would turn around the fortunes of the loss-making facility.

Peel Airports chief executive Craig Richmond told The Northern Echo last week that DTV will close unless more people use the facility.

However, recent efforts to relaunch services to London, and Ireland, and open up a route to Cyprus, have failed to get off the ground.

The last flight to Southampton will take off on Friday, September 2. Eastern’s four flights a day from DTV to Aberdeen, used mainly by workers in the oil and gas industry, will continue.

Falling passenger numbers were behind the decision to suspend the twice-daily Southampton service, which started in November 2009.

The Sunday flight will also cease.


Read More - http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/9194125.Further_blow_for_struggling_airport/?ref=rss

Durham Tees Valley Airport director pledges to
turn around the airports fortunes
by Sarah Dale, Evening Gazette, September 19th 2011


THE new director of Durham Tees Valley Airport has pledged to turn around the fortunes of the site.

Steve Gill, who took on the role of director of Durham Tees Valley Airport and Robin Hood Airport in Doncaster earlier this month, said: “There is a market and there is a demand and I am absolutely determined to fulfil that demand.

“We want more passengers through the door and we are listening to what people want. This is a turnaround opportunity.

“It’s an exciting opportunity to reveal the airport’s true potential.”

He said the airport had suffered from “a couple of difficult years”, adding: “all UK airports have had a difficult couple of years”.

“DTV has lost more passengers than we would have liked - from 220,000 to 190,000.”

Durham Tees Valley Airport has lost of a number of routes in recent years such as Ryanair withdrawing services.

Last month the airport was hit by the collapse of travel operator Holidays 4U which went into administration. The firm flew from Teesside to Turkey.


Read More - http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2011/09/19/durham-tees-valley-airport-director-pledges-to-turn-around-the-fortunes-of-site-51140-29447707/

Fears for future of Durham Tees Valley Airport
by Andrew Pain, Evening Gazette, December 9th 2011

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/gazettelive2/nov2011/0/8/durham-tees-valley-airport-224011440.jpg

FEARS have been raised over the future of Durham Tees Valley Airport after councils were ordered to find £4.3m to retain their current stake. Local authorities on Teesside have been informed they are to face an ultimatum from majority owners Peel Airports Limited (PAL) to either pay the cash or face a reduction in their shareholdings.

Peel has informed Stockton Council - the lead of the six local authority shareholders - of its intention to serve a “dilution notice”. That means its shareholding will be reduced unless the councils of Stockton, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Hartlepool, Darlington and Durham, agree to proportionately match investments made by Peel.

The combined investment for the authorities would add up to £4.3m.

However, Stockton South MP James Wharton, who has campaigned for the airport to be renamed Teesside Airport once more, fears it could lead to Durham Tees Valley’s closure. Mr Wharton said: “This has come at just the wrong time. Local authorities are strapped for cash and it is highly unlikely they can find a spare £4.3m to give to Peel.


Read More (Two Pages) - http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2011/12/09/fears-for-future-of-durham-tees-valley-airport-84229-29924737/

Just look at the fate of Sheffield City Airport at the hands of Peel Airports.

It is my opinion that unfortunately small airports such as DTV need more than passenger traffic to provide revenue, however it seems in this case Teesside is being kept open by Cobhams and the KLM flights. With the PAX Tax introduced many low-cost operators have an even better reason not to fly from there.

Under the current ownership the future is bleak for an airport in the Tees Valley IMO.

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/9418878.Durham_Tees_Valley_Airport_up_for_sale/

Durham Tees Valley Airport up for sale, future under threat
by Dan Warburton, The Journal, December 15th 2011

http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/nejournal/may2009/7/2/FB59A56C-B086-D8EC-103FA08EC54A9492.jpg

FEARS over the future of Durham Tees Valley Airport last night grew after it was announced the majority shareholder was putting its stake up for sale.

Peel Airports Limited put the airport – which has been plagued by financial troubles over the past two years – on the market amid growing concern over the airport’s performance. Peel, which owns a 75% share, said it made the decision to sell up because it “no longer fits within the company’s strategic plans for its portfolio of airports”.

In a statement released yesterday, an airport spokesman said: “Durham Tees Valley Airport will continue to operate as normal during this process with passengers due to travel over the coming weeks and employees based at the airport unaffected by this decision.”

The announcement comes just days after the airport asked the six local councils which hold a total 25% share of the airport, for more funds or face a reduction in their shareholdings.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-news/2011/12/15/durham-tees-valley-airport-future-under-threat-61634-29956796/#ixzz1gb37ZU3d

Having flown from there a number of times, I hope someone buys the airport and invests money in it.

Interesting and very detailed document here, from August last year.

Contains much information about air travel from all of the UK Airports, including interesting forecasts for the future . . .

http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/uk-aviation-forecasts-2011/uk-aviation-forecasts.pdf

Page 149 shows all you need to know....

Basically most airports grow in the next 20 years, some amazingly fast...

All except... You guessed it.

Something urgent needs to be done. The only worse airport seems to be Plymouth and i think that is closing.

Could Teesside Airport aka Durham Tees Valley be at risk of going into administration with the Northern Echo mentioning administration as a distinct possibility? http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/9498944.Council_chiefs_accuse_airport_owners_of_broken_promises/

If administration were to occur at Teesside Airport would that quite likely mean the end of flights from the airport which I can see any attempt to save the airport as unlikely due to the long decline in passengers and inability to make a profit? Would be a disaster for the Teesside area although no doubt Leeds Bradford and Newcastle Airports would and have sucked up any potential demand for passengers in the Teesside and surrounding area.

It's doomed isn't it? The market just isn't there anymore. I expect to see many more small airports following it and demand concentrated at the bigger regional airports like Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle.

I expect to see many more small airports following it and demand concentrated at the bigger regional airports like Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle.

There is no one generic regional airport, so you cant really assume that because Plymouth and Teesside (possibly) are going down the pan that this will happen across the board. I fully believe Peel Airports see the potential to change the site into something else, much like Sutton Harbour Holdings did with Plymouth.. Coventry recently reopened without ANY passenger flights.

New plan to stop rot at Durham Tees Valley Airport
by Ruth Lognonne, The Journal, May 5th 2012


THE multi-billion-pound investment company behind struggling Durham Tees Valley Airport is looking to expand the centre’s offering and turn it into a success. In 2009 Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTVA) suffered a major blow. It lost a vital air link to London, spelling an uncertain future with growing fears that it could close, as passengers deserted in droves to Newcastle.

With losses of £10,000 a day, more than £3m a year, the airport’s new owners Manchester-based Peel Investments plans to increase the number of aviation hangars on the 250-acre brownfield site next to the airport which has been available for development for years.

This, according to Peel, would help to generate badly-needed income for the airport in rent and possible increased flights.


Read More (Two Pages) - http://www.nebusiness.co.uk/business-news/latest-business-news/2012/05/05/new-plan-to-stop-rot-at-durham-tees-valley-airport-51140-30904941/

Any new developments on the saga which is Teesside airport? Seems a shame but the best I think the local councils can do is look to improve transport links to Newcastle /Leeds if there are not enough flights to sustain the airport..

The airport is hardly worth keeping open these days as passenger numbers have dropped so much since 2006. Its gone from pushing toward the million mark to less than 200,000 passengers per annum which is simply unsustainable. Airlines and people have seriously turned there back on durham tees valley airport :( "Closing seems like the likely option".