back to Home page

                                                                            Airport History

RAF Base:
The airport began its life as Royal Air Force Station Goosepool, and in 1941 became RAF Middleton St. George.

During World War II, the airfield was used by 76 Squadron flying Halifaxes, 78 Squadron flying Whitleys, 419 Squadron (Royal Canadian Air Force) flying Wellingtons, Halifaxes and Lancasters, 420 Squadron (Royal Canadian Air Force) flying Wellingtons and 428 Squadron (Royal Canadian Air Force) flying Wellingtons, Halifaxes and Lancasters.

After the war, the aerodrome served various squadrons and units including No. 13 Operational Training Unit (OTU), No. 2 Air Navigation School, No. 4 Flight Training School, and squadrons that used Meteors, Hunters, Javelins and Lightnings.

It was in a Lancaster based here that Flight Officer Andrew Mynarski carried out an act of such heroism that he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross, the last VC to be awarded to an airman of World War II.

Teesside International:
In 1963, the decision was made to close the airfield, and it was purchased by the late Cleveland County Council who saw the potential of the airfield as a commercial one, and developed it into what it is today. Princess Margaretha of Sweden opened the international passenger terminal in 1966.

The first scheduled service to operate from Teesside International Airport was to Manchester, and since then the airport has developed a small, yet strong network of both scheduled, and inclusive tour routes.

In 2002, the airport sought a strategic partner to assist with future development and Peel Airports Ltd was selected as the preferred partner, taking a 75% stake in the airport.

The airport today:
In September 2004, Teesside International Airport slipped into history as Durham Tees Valley Airport was born, the airport chartering a Spanair McDonnell Douglas MD83 to mark the event, the aircraft being the last to depart Teesside and the first to arrive at Durham Tees Valley.

The name was changed in order to better place the airport geographically, as a lot of the airport's passengers, particularly foreign ones, were unfamiliar with the location of Teesside, but most knew where Durham was.

The airport was getting ready to undergo a £56 million expansion and development programme during the mid-2000s, this never materialised however.

In November 2006, bmibaby closed their two-aircraft Durham Tees Valley base, Flyglobespan replaced them almost immediately, but they too left in October 2008. During February 2009, bmi ceased flying to London Heathrow, ending an almost 40-year old route.

On July 2nd 2010, Canadian airport operators Vancouver Airports Services (YVRAS) purchased a 65% stake in the airports division of Peel Holdings, effectively making them the majority owners of Durham Tees Valley Airport.

During October 2010, Peel Airports / Vancouver Airport Services announced a £6 "Passenger Facility Fee". The new tax was intended to cut airport losses but proved controversial, with mixed reactions from the general public.

On 14th December 2011 the airport was put up for sale by Peel Airports / Vancouver Airport Services. This sparked panic of closure amongst the local public and MPs, but our snouts have revealed there are some interested parties, with reports that someone is just "days away" from signing on the dotted line.

Historic Events:
> 1964: April First flight from the airport took place in the form of a Mercury Airlines flight to Manchester
> 1966: New terminal opened by Queen Margaritha of Sweden
> 1969: November First flight to London Heathrow with British Midland - a route which still exists today
> 1985: Airport celebrates its 21st birthday
> 1986: Airport charters Concorde for the day
> 1990: One millionth aircraft movement occurs in the form of a British Midland service to London Heathrow
> 1994: Airtours launch substantial inclusive tour programme, south side development planned, and FR Aviation announce base operation
> 1996: Cleveland County Council disbanded, airport ownership divided amongst several Borough Councils
> 1996: Worlds largest aircraft (at the time), an Antonov 124 Condor arrives from Houston, Texas
> 1997: Half a million passenger movements, Ryanair announce service to Dublin
> 2003: Peel Airports Ltd takes a 75% stake in the airport and will invest £20m over 5 years
> 2004: April, Airport's 40th anniversary
> 2004: September, The airport changes its name from Teesside International to Durham Tees Valley
> 2005: January, Major expansion plans announced which will enable the airport to handle up to 3 million passengers annually
> 2005: April, Sky Express bus service launched
> 2006: January, Work begins on new terminal front
> 2006: September 14th, Airports largest operating airline, bmibaby, announce they are to leave
> 2006: October 6th Flyglobespan announce a two-aircraft base operation at Durham Tees Valley Airport, thus replacing bmibaby
> 2008: October 20th Flyglobespan announce they're closing their Durham Tees Valley base
> 2009: February 18th bmi announce they're ending their 40-year old Heathrow route
> 2010: July 2nd Canadian airport operator Vancouver Airport Services (YVRAS) purchased 65% of the airports division of Peel Holdings, effectively making them majority owners of Durham Tees Valley Airport
> 2010: October 19th Airport unveil controversial new £6 tax called the "Passenger Facility Fee"
> 2011: December 14th Airport is placed up for sale by Peel Airports / Vancouver Airport Services