MP hopeful of bright future for Durham Tees Valley Airport after positive talks with airline

Despite previously expressing concern about the direction taken by the airport, Stockton South MP James Wharton said his meeting with KLM suggested “there could well be a future” for DTVA.

Mr Wharton met with KLM commercial director, Nicholas Henin, on Thursday morning in Parliament.

The MP said: “People across Teesside are concerned about the future of our airport and I have been openly critical of some of the decisions owners Peel have taken, but the meeting with Air France KLM was entirely positive.

“They are committed to retaining their current routes, which is good news and offers stability for planning going forward.

“They are also interested in future promotion and advertising and I will be keeping an open channel of communication to ensure I help where I can.”

Mr Wharton said he had mixed feelings about the DTVA master plan, which includes a proposal to sell off land for housing to fund the development of the airport.

However, he added: “The strong commitment of KLM to retaining flights is a welcome sign.

“There could well be a future for Teesside Airport yet - I know local politicians and business leaders will be doing what we can to secure it.”

Steve Gill, DTVA managing director, said he was pleased Mr Wharton found his meeting with KLM so positive and encouraging.

He added: “We have a long and fruitful relationship with KLM and, like us, they fully recognise the importance to the region, especially the local business community, of their service to Amsterdam Schiphol, providing access to the worldwide air travel network.

“We have been working closely with Nicolas Henin and his team and have an agreed plan to support KLM activities over the next 12 months and beyond.”

The confidence boost from KLM came as another airline, Eastern Airways, which operates scheduled flights from DTVA to Aberdeen, announced it was expanding the size of its Saab 2000 fleet to nine with the introduction of an extra aircraft.