BOSSES at Durham Tees Valley Airport said new appointments in its Aviation Development Department will strengthen efforts to move the site back into profit.

Joining the team as aviation development manager is Declan Maguire who will have responsibility for both Durham Tees Valley and Doncaster Sheffield Airport with a remit to work with both new and existing airlines.

He joins Peel Airports from the leading aviation events and online company Routes where he held the post of airline and industry relations manager, responsible for European airline relations. Before joining Routes in 2012, Mr Maguire, who holds a BSc degree in Aviation Management, worked for both Virgin Atlantic and TUI Travel.

He said: "It’s a pleasure to join a team dedicated to the development of Durham Tees Valley and Doncaster Sheffield Airports. I look forward to becoming familiar with the communities they serve, promoting new route opportunities and developing relationships with airline operators.”

Other appointments include Tom Henshaw who moves from Aviation Analyst to become Aviation Development Executive with responsibilities including the General and Business sectors, focussing on delivering growth at Durham Tees Valley.

Leading the team with overall responsibility for passenger, cargo and general/business aviation at both airports is Mr Harcombe, who has been head of aviation development with Peel Airports since 2013 and has been at the forefront of route development and engaging with airlines.

Key priorities for the team are, said head of aviation development Chris Harcombe: "Offering continued support to our key partner airlines KLM and Eastern and, pursuing opportunities aligned with the airport’s capabilities and business plan—with the focus on a return to profitability."

He added: “We’re delighted to have Declan joining us from one of the industry’s most influential companies and bringing a wide range of airline contacts. Tom Henshaw’s enhanced role is an important step forward in delivering the strategy set out in the Master Plan for Durham Tees Valley to focus on business and general aviation and follows our recent announcement of the introduction of new and more attractive tariffs for both aircraft based at the airport and visiting flyers.”