Teesside Airport reports a 16 year high in its annual passenger traffic for 2025. The airport welcomed over 246,000 individuals through its terminal up to the end of November.
This is following £12.5 million (US$16.8 million) investment from Tees Valley Combined Authority last year. The funding is to improve taxiways, roads, and further infrastructure on the airport site. The investment unlocked £16 million ($21.6 million) of private spending, and is estimated to have generated 250 jobs.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Northern Echo, Teesside Airport managing director, Phil Forster, said that he thinks the biggest thing for the airport is “natural organic growth”.
“The hard work continues”, he said. “But also the good thing to see now is we’ve got the main routes in Alicante, Corfu, Faro, Mallorca, [and] Malaga.”
It had been 16 years since the last Malaga flight departed Teesside. But Ryanair reinstated the route back in March 2025. The airline then announced in May that the route will operate twice-weekly all year round.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said in a recent press release: “There’s no doubt that our investment in the airport has led to huge business growth across the site this year, with current businesses like Willis, Draken and Airbourne Colours expanding and creating new jobs, and the likes of automotive firm ABL 1Touch seeing the potential of our new Business Park South.
“By supporting the brilliant businesses we have on site, the airport can bolster its finances and go further faster in securing flights to destinations our local people are crying out for and – with their huge backing for the airport over the past few years – massively deserve.”
The airport has also secured new routes for 2026. Mavi Gok Airlines and TUI will operate summer flights to Antalya and Guernsey respectively.
Looking ahead, Forster told The Northern Echo that Teesside Airport is focused on “major sustainability plans”.
“And I think 2026 is going to be a huge significant year for the airport in terms of cargo as well”, he continued. FedEx now operates nine cargo flights a week from the airport.
Forster now hopes to now change the narrative of the airport. He wants people to see what the airport does for the wider region.
