A TECHNOLOGY firm keeping a UK airport flying has secured a deal to supply services to the Government.

Onyx Group, which has its headquarters in Stockton, will support the Government’s cloud computing programme.

Cloud services allow companies to order IT from internet specialists when they need it, rather than investing in computer infrastructure.

The move comes after ministers launched the CloudStore scheme, an online provision allowing public sector organisations to buy cloud services.

Onyx, which manages IT for Edinburgh Airport, employs about 120 workers across the UK.

Neil Stephenson, chief executive, said: “After a large-scale investment in our cloud infrastructure, we were always confident we would meet the criteria to be an official supplier of cloud services to the public sector.”

Earlier this year, The Northern Echo revealed Onyx, which also provides IT support for companies including furniture retailer DFS and car repair firm Kwik Fit, wanted to create North-East jobs to strengthen its future.

Mr Stephenson, a former marketing team worker at Wearside brewer Vaux, said: “We want to keep building the business and key to that is investing for the long-term.

“We are always looking for good people and looking to grow, and I’m sure we will have more employees at the end of the year.”

Last year, Onyx, which has data centres in Middlesbrough and Newcastle, developed sites in Edinburgh and Sheffield to bring its operating space to 70,000sq ft.