Airport masterplan released

Durham Tees Valley Airport. Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

The final version of the Master Plan aimed at securing the long-term future of Durham Tees Valley Airport has been published today.

The 180-page document provides the foundation for implementing a wide range of measures aimed at maximising the potential of the whole airport site, including broadening the base of aviation-related activities, and re-positioning the airport to focus on business routes serving the needs of the region.

Publication of the finalised Master Plan comes as passenger figures for the past three months show steady increases on the airport’s two key scheduled services to Amsterdam, Schiphol and Aberdeen.

The Plan takes into account a number of points raised during the two-month consultation process and stresses that it reflects the commitment of Peel Airports to ensuring the future of air services at Durham Tees Valley.

Key proposals in the Master Plan include:

  • New developments on the north and south sides of the Airport runway to establish DTVA as a leader in aviation related business. This will build on existing activity at the Airport in, for example, aircraft engineering, dismantling and recycling and lead to the creation of a multi-modal logistics centre - including air cargo and road connectivity - to maximise the employment potential of the Airport’s landholding.

  • Northside development proposals include a mixture of offices and residential (250/400 dwellings), with associated community facilities and an extension to the on-site St George's Hotel.

  • Development proposals on the Southside, which would be accessed by a new link road, comprise a logistics and business park, engine testing facility and additional aviation support facilities, including a new apron and associated hangars.

Delivery of the Master Plan, which will be phased to 2020 and beyond, is aimed at creating up to 3,800 new jobs, plus a further 450 full time equivalent jobs during construction phases, and add over £348 million GVA (Gross Value Added) to the regional economy. It will help secure existing routes to international markets with the potential to develop new routes to other UK and European destinations. Passenger numbers are forecast to grow to 200,000 per annum by 2020 in line with Government forecasts from the figure of 165,000 passengers handled in 2012—but the Plan safeguards the potential for further growth in the future, with the possibility of handling up to 900,000.

The finalised Master Plan can be viewed on-line.