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                                                                            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 is now getting ready to undergo a £56 million expansion and development programme.

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