DURHAM Tees Valley Airport’s owner is confident that a buyer can be found to turn the business around.

Operator Peel Airports yesterday put the airport on the market, saying it no longer fitted in with the company’s strategic plan.

Moving to calm residents’ fears that the struggling airport could become an industrial site, the company said all the parties it had spoken to were involved in the industry.

“We have been warming the market and there are people who have shown an interest – all of them are aviation- related industries,” confirmed airport director Steve Gill.

The decision to sell the site, which employs 650 people just off the A66 between Darlington and Middlesbrough, brought strong reaction from business leaders, MPs and councillors, and even prompted a response from Prime Minister David Cameron in the House of Commons.

Many criticised the way the airport has been run in recent years, with Mike Matthews, managing director at Stockton- based car parts maker Nifco UK, stating: “Why have we got a third division airport when we have first-class businesses in this region?”