Teesside International Airport History

Teesside Airport is a small but thriving airport that serves both domestic and international destinations. Despite only having one runway, Teesside Airport serves more than one million people each year. It is located close to Darlington, Middlesbrough and Durham, making it a convenient point of departure or arrival for anyone living in or around these areas. The airport’s history can be traced back to the Second World War.

The 1940s

Teesside Airport was first used in 1941, when RAF Bomber Squadrons were based there. The airport housed bombers for both the British and Canadian air forces. Following the war, work was carried out to improve the runway and airside buildings.

Post-war

In 1964 the airport was handed from the military to local authorities. Many of the facilities that had been developed during the war would lend themselves well to civil aviation. Around £1.5 million was invested in the airport, some of which went towards building an onsite hotel, and some of which was used to build a passenger terminal. The first scheduled flight from Teesside Airport took passengers to Manchester Airport. The airport would go on to much greater things, and by the 1970s and 1980s, it had grown to accommodate significantly larger passenger numbers.

Teesside Airport today

Travellers departing there can take advantage of a variety of modern services, including shopping and dining amenities, as well as extensive Teeside Airport Parking facilities. Options for those who need to leave their car at the airport include Durham Tees Valley Spa Hotel Parking and Teesside International On Airport Parking. Travellers departing from Teesside Airport today can also go as far afield as Europe.

Teesside Airport has grown and changed since its beginnings early on in the 20th Century. Continued expansion is expected to this small, but convenient and well equipped airport.