DURHAM Tees Valley Airport (DTVA) has confirmed that flights to Lapland for a winter wonderland holiday will be available this December.

Travel operator Newmarket Holidays has announced that for the first time it will be offering a holiday package with flights direct from DTVA on December 23.

The Santa Special will fly from DTVA to the remote Pajala Airport and the holiday package includes sleigh and snowmobile rides and a meeting with Santa Claus in a log cabin high above the Arctic Circle.

Airport managing director Steve Gill said: “We know that in the past Christmas special flights have proved very popular with our customers and we are delighted that Newmarket Holidays, with whom we have a long-standing relationship, will be offering this unique experience just a couple of days before Christmas Day itself.”

Amanda George, commercial manager for Newmarket Holidays, added: “We are delighted to be expanding from Durham Tees Valley Airport and we want to ensure we are giving the people within the region more choice.”

DTVA has also stepped up its marketing drive this week with the launch of a new-look website and new benefits for passengers.

Customers signing up for the airport’s Privilege Club will enjoy a range of discounts and savings and at the same time the airport has introduced a new easy-to-use car park booking system.

The airport website also links in to the new partner flight/holiday comparison site www.flydurhamteesvalley.co.uk which makes it much easier for customers to make enquiries and bookings.