Teesside International has reached a major milestone after it was revealed low-cost operator Ryanair is set to begin flying from the airport – with tickets now on sale.
Two services per week to both Alicante and Palma, Majorca from Teesside – Newton Aycliffe’s nearest airport – will start in just five months’ time, helping people from across the Tees Valley, North-East and North Yorkshire to get poolside from Teesside with great value flights.
Securing flights with a low-cost operator was a key part of the airport’s ten-year turnaround plan and has come almost two years to the day the deal was struck to bring the airport back into public ownership.
The routes, set to take off from June 1 during the airport’s 80th birthday year, are available to book now, with prices starting at just from just £29.99.
The news follows significant investment in the terminal building, including a £1m overhaul to the security area with new body and bag scanners, a redevelopment of the arrivals hall and a partnership with five-star hotel Rockliffe Hall, leading to a renovation of the business lounge.
This work will make sure passengers have the best experience possible when these flights begin and the airport reopens further.
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said: “Today is a seismic day for Teesside Airport. The fact that Europe’s biggest low-cost airline, Ryanair, is backing Teesside and announcing they are going to fly from our region again shows, despite all the difficulties the aviation industry is facing, that our airport has a great future and is in safe hands.
“Securing a low-cost airline was always the crucial part in our rescue plan for Teesside Airport, and less than two years after agreeing a deal to buy back our airport, we have made it happen. I want to thank our excellent team who have had a hard year but have got this over the line, making sure Ryanair understands and appreciate the potential Teesside has.
“Every time I have announced new flights from our airport, people have always said to me, ‘What about a low-cost carrier? What about Ryanair?’ This is a huge vote of confidence in Teesside despite us being in the middle of a global pandemic. Our airport has withstood huge challenges before and it is doing so again, coming out the other side even stronger.
“It’s not just the airport that is turning a corner. A couple of days ago, the Prime Minister said that he expected all vulnerable people to be vaccinated against the coronavirus by Easter next year, if all goes well. Imagine them being able to look forward to that, and also the potential of a fantastic holiday with family or friends as these flights launch.
“2021 was billed as the year that the airport was closing, but instead it’s the year that it is being reborn. Our finances are on track and we have made even more progress in two years than I could have dared to dream when we bought the airport.
“Many people told me it couldn’t be done, but this is the biggest proof yet that we did the right thing and Teesside Airport has a great future.
“We’ve got the flights, we’re making improvements to the terminal, we’ve got global businesses choosing to invest and base themselves here, and now we’ve got Ryanair. What a fantastic early birthday present for the airport – and for local people.”
Ryanair’s director of commercial Jason McGuinness said: “We are delighted to be back in Teesside with two new routes to Alicante and Mallorca, commencing on June 1, 2021.
“Both routes will operate twice weekly as part of our Teesside Summer 2021 schedule. Customers in Teesside can now book flights to Alicante & Mallorca and enjoy a well deserved Summer break as far out as October 2021.”
To book your tickets, visit ryanair.com. General flight information and more details on safety measures introduced at the airport as a response to the coronavirus pandemic can be found at teessideinternational.com.
