THE official date for when Teesside Airport will reopen has been confirmed, as airlines announce the first flights to restart.

The airport closed in March following the government issuing fresh advice against all but essential travel and international travel.

All flights including Eastern Airways and KLM flights to Amsterdam and the rest of the UK were suspended as airport bosses saw a sharp fall in demand.

But more than 70 days of remaining closed, airport bosses have confirmed that flights are to resume in the next three weeks.

The Northern Echo:

Beginning on Monday, June 22, Eastern Airways flights between Teesside Airport, Aberdeen and Belfast will resume.

Previously announced flights to London City Airport will begin on 6 July, and will run daily on Mondays and Friday, and twice-daily on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

From July 6, Eastern Airways flights to Newquay will operate a once-a-day flight between Monday and Friday.

Meanwhile, it is understood the airport is in continued discussions with all of its airline partners over the reintroduction of services from Teesside Airport.

The new rules in place:

Six simple steps to staying safe at the airport have been drawn up to protect passengers and staff. These are: 

  • Step 1: Clean your hands and collect a face mask to protect yourself and others
  • Step 2: Check in at one of our socially distanced desks. If you don’t have hold luggage why not check in online?
  • Step 3: Use contactless payment to pay for your Passenger Facility Fee (PFF) ticket or alternatively book online
  • Step 4: Minimise what you carry to help us avoid hand searches during security checks to assist with social distancing
  • Step 5: Sit two metres apart from passengers outside of your party in the departure lounge
  • Step 6: Board your flight making sure your face mask is on to protect yourself and other

The Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said he was "delighted" as Eastern Airways announced the restarting of flights from the airport.

He said: "This is yet another vote of confidence in our amazing airport. It goes to show that our 10-year plan for the airport is working and that our airport is key to our economic recovery. A successful Teesside Airport will see more investment come to our region and will help to create local jobs that we need and deserve.

“Since day one of the coronavirus pandemic, we’ve been clear that the safety and health of local people and our airport staff had to be paramount at this difficult time.

“While it’s clear that there is still some way to go, it is equally true that the pandemic’s rate of transmission is slowing down and, following the latest Government guidance including that on safety in the workplace and for public transport, we are able to gradually phase back our flight schedule, starting with domestic services.

“This will not be at any cost, however. We’ve introduced easy to understand but rigorous safety measures for passengers and staff, and we will continue to monitor the situation and will take appropriate action where necessary."

'We will continue to increase frequency'

Roger Hage, Eastern Airways’ General Manager Commercial & Operations, said: “We are pleased to announce that our expanding Teesside network of flights are returning from 22 June with a carefully considered initial frequency including a new Newquay summer domestic sun destination from 6 July to support the major regions of the UK and ensure regional connectivity returns given its vital role in recovering economic prosperity to the Teesside and North-East region. We will continue to increase frequency on all routes through July and August including the return of weekend services to meet demand along with working jointly with the team at Teesside to add further new routes.

“The safety and comfort of our passengers and staff is the most important thing to us, and they can rest assured we have put considerable safety measures in place to protect those flying with us. This includes extensive nightly sanitisation and cleaning on each turnaround.

“We look forward to welcoming people from across Tees Valley back on board as we start flying again.”