Mayor Meets Local Firms Joining Work on Airport Transformation

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen today (19 February) visited Teesside International to welcome on-site local businesses newly appointed to work on the airport’s redevelopment.

Teesside Airport is undergoing a transformation to its main terminal building, designed by Darlington architects Corstorphine + Wright, ahead of an expected increase in passenger numbers this summer. This comes following the securing of low-cost operator Ryanair’s flights to Alicante and Palma, Majorca, as well as Loganair’s schedule of domestic flights and the return of TUI in summer 2022.

The winning local contractors include Darlington-based 186 Property Solutions, which will be responsible for redeveloping the central search area as part of the upgrade to security. This also includes new, state-of-the-art body and bag scanners to make moving through security quicker than ever and remove the need to pass through once again at London Heathrow or Amsterdam Schiphol.

Also from Darlington, Wharton Construction will be creating the airside bar area, which is adding to the airport’s food and drink offer, and will be named by a member of the public following a recent competition launched by Mayor Houchen.

Billingham-based Infinity Construction North East and Eaglescliffe’s MJ Joinery – which previously worked on the arrivals hall revamp – will be upgrading the airport’s toilets, while Powercare Electrical Services, from Ingleby Barwick, will join the project as an electrical subcontractor.

Mayor Houchen said: “When I brought our airport back into public ownership saving it from closure, I said our airport would back our amazing local businesses so that the money we are investing puts more money in the pockets of local workers and their families, and that is exactly what is happening with the transformation of the main terminal.

“It’s great to be welcoming new local businesses on site at Teesside Airport to drive forward our transformational plans for a new-look, modern and exciting airport fit for the 21^st century.

“As well as these new faces, we’re also working with businesses that have been assisting in the airport redevelopment for a while now, with a proven track record of delivering top-class work that will make all the difference when we welcome new and returning passengers through our terminal.

“In employing local businesses, we’re getting people who are as passionate about our airport as we are, and want to make it as big a success as possible – which will really show in the final product.”

Matthew Wharton, Director of Wharton Construction, said: “We’re delighted to be playing our part in delivering this exciting project. Airport cafes and bars are where people really start to unwind and excellent food and drink options help people get into the holiday spirit, so this is a very important project for us. That goes double because the public will be naming it, so we want to do them justice!”

Jonathan Carter, Operations Director at 186 Property Solutions, said: “Search and security is one of the major pinch-points in any airport and we’re proud to be providing our services to help make the passenger experience a smooth one. We’re as excited as anyone that Teesside Airport’s getting a new lease of life and we’re looking forward to seeing the result of all this hard work.”