A JET management firm has expanded its training division to nurture the pilots of tomorrow.

PTT Aviation has bought flying schools at Newcastle and Durham Tees Valley (DTVA) Airports.

The move comes just weeks after PTT, owned by North-East business jet company Naljets, took on a similar venture at Leeds Bradford Airport.

Bosses say the deals mean it now has a fleet of 30 aircraft and helicopters across the North.

The agreement is a homecoming for Craig McLeod, Naljets and PTT managing director, who previously ran Northern Aviation Limited using DTVA as a base.

The Northern Echo understands Mr McLeod was attracted to the site due to its long runway and open airspace, when its flights to Amsterdam and Aberdeen are not in the area.

Mr McLeod, a trained instructor and examiner, said: “This brings back happy memories. Many years ago, along with my business partner, Terry Harrison, we bought and ran Cleveland Flying School together with Teesside Aero Club.

“Running Durham Tees Flight Training again, all be it under the PTT brand, will be a sort of homecoming for me.

“Our objective is to make PTT the premier pilot training and testing facility in the UK.”