THERE are "no plans" to increase car parking charges at Teesside Airport, despite Newcastle Airport raising its prices last week.

Parking charges at the airport, which is operated by the Stobart Group, will remain the same despite a "difficult few months" during lockdown.

The Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen told The Northern Echo that visitors will continue to have up to three hours worth of free parking.

It comes as Newcastle Airport recently raised the prices of its 'Express Car Park,' with visitors using the site now required to pay £3 for ten minutes.

The airport has since faced a backlash from visitors, with some describing the current cost to use the 'Express Car Park' a "rip-off."

But confirming that prices would remain the same at Teesside Airport, Mr Houchen said: “We have no plans to increase our car parking charges and Teesside Airport currently offers some of the most competitive charges in the country.

"Advance booking online means airport users can also save even more than if they were to pay on the day. 

“I am proud to continue to offer visitors three hours of free parking, giving them a great incentive to use their local airport.

"This is great for people picking up and dropping off friends and loved ones, especially while the terminal remains closed to everyone but staff and passengers as part of its phased reopening following the coronavirus pandemic."

The airport was forced to close during lockdown following a sharp fall in demand following the coronavirus outbreak. 

Flights were also cancelled due the government's advise to Brits against 'all but essential international travel.'

It welcomed the return of flights last month. 

Mr Houchen said: “It has been a difficult few months, but our airport is flying again with new flights to London, Newquay and Belfast underway, as well as our summer service to Alicante starting next month, and we will continue to add more routes when it is safe to do so as we continue with our 10-year turnaround plan.

“There are so many great reasons to fly from Teesside Airport and the great parking offers we have in place only adds to that.”

In response to concerns raised over parking costs at Newcastle Airport, a spokesperson for the airport said: "As we embark on the long road to recovery, the task of restoring our route network and returning the business to profitability is likely to be challenging.

"We expect the costs of operating the Airport to exceed income for a period of time.

"We understand the importance of global connectivity to the region, therefore these price increases need to be introduced so that we can continue to make investments in the Airport, attract high quality airlines and provide the level of customer service our passengers expect.

"The new rate remains competitive with other regional airports around the UK, including Manchester, Edinburgh and Leeds-Bradford."