AN airline has renewed airport services after seeing passenger numbers increase.

KLM has signed a new agreement to continue operations at Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTVA).

The move ensures the continuation of the company’s Amsterdam connection from the site, which allows passengers to catch international flights from the Netherlands’ Schiphol hub and business travellers to forge links with global partners.

Replacing holiday charter services, the Dutch link operates alongside sister flights to Aberdeen, and confirmation of its continuation comes after KLM told The Northern Echo it was keen to extend its DTVA venture.

Bosses say the extension follows a rise in annual passenger numbers, which are five per cent ahead of a year ago.

Referring to KLM’s new deal, officials confirmed the agreement was a “long-term” arrangement but said they couldn’t divulge its length due to commercial constraints.

They also didn’t reveal how many people used the Amsterdam flights in the last 12 months.

However, they did say they were committed to playing a part in the airport’s transformation, which includes a masterplan to supplement flights with extra engineering, storage and distribution operations.

The proposals, set out by airport operator, Peel, also include selling land for housing.

Warner Rootliep, Air France-KLM’s general manager for the UK and Ireland, said: “We have had a long-standing successful relationship with DTVA, which is reflected in the very positive growth we have seen.

“We have seen strong performance on our traffic to Amsterdam, as well as connecting across our worldwide network.

“This demonstrates the importance of the service, especially to the region’s business community, providing access to destinations across the world.

“We are looking forward to continuing to work with the airport and playing a role in its future progress.”

Speaking to The Northern Echo previously, Mr Rootliep said KLM wanted to retain and reinforce its presence at DTVA.

He added: “Our extensive regional UK network is the backbone of our medium-haul operations and we are happy with the results of these routes. “We have no plan to downsize and are looking at increasing frequencies and capacity, as well as enhancing our products.”

Peel officials last year said they were “jealously guarding” their Amsterdam link, and Robert Hough, Peel Airports’ chairman, said that vow remains strong.

He added: “This new agreement provides stability and will be welcomed by the many business people who depend on the service to reach their global markets.”

Peel was previously accused by the Save Teesside Airport campaign of failing the site.

However, the company hit back, saying opponents had to get real.

A spokesman added: “Smaller airports need to find new ways of generating income; if they do not they will not survive.

“The suggestion it’s all doom and gloom is simply not true.”

Latest provisional figures from the Civil Aviation Authority show the amount of fliers using DTVA in the rolling year has dipped marginally to 138,342.

However, airport chiefs said the numbers were skewed because they don’t include Aberdeen, with the Scottish airport yet to report its numbers.