DAILY weekday flights from Teesside to London, on the back of news that the Treasury is set to create a base in Darlington, will help drive economic regeneration, it has been claimed.

The service is initially planned to operate twice a day, Monday to Friday, with a single flight on Sundays.

From March 28, weekend services will increase to one morning flight on Saturdays and two on Sundays.

SEE MORE: Teesside Airport respond after Loganair flight CANCELLED on first day of operation

The airline, now the UK’s biggest regional operator, has named one of its 48 seater jets Spirit of Teesside.

The new Treasury North campus, which was announced in last week’s Spring Budget, will see 750 civil servants come to the town, a ten-minute drive from Teesside International Airport.

Today, the first Loganair plane to London Heathrow takes off and a new connection between the airport and Bristol is being revealed.

As well as the Treasury North campus, it was also revealed in the Budget that Teesside was successful in its bid to become the UK’s largest Freeport, with the airport set to become one of the zones operating under the new rules.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “After the fantastic news of Treasury North coming to Darlington and the Chancellor’s Freeports announcement, Loganair is also signalling another huge vote of confidence in the region.

“By announcing plans to increase its capital connections, even more vital as our area works more closely than ever with Whitehall, it is signalling the huge role we’re going to be playing in driving the UK forward.

“Our airport is a key part of my plan for jobs and the investments that are going to power forward our region and create a jobs tsunami for local people. These won’t come on a bus, they’ll come through our airport terminal.”

The Bristol service, which starts on May 24, will operate a service in each direction Monday to Friday and on Sundays. The 70-minute flight, with fares from around £50 one-way, will leave Teesside on weekdays at 2.25pm, with the return flight departing from Bristol 4.05pm.

Loganair’s chief executive Jonathan Hinkles said: “Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Budget speech was effusive in his praise of what is being achieved on Teesside, and the awarding of one of the eight English freeports to Teesside and the Treasury’s new economic campus to Darlington emphasises this is one of the UK’s areas of growing importance.

“Our Teesside to Heathrow service starts today, and these announcements mean we are already looking at increasing flights to London. We are very pleased to expand our commitment to Teesside International with this direct service to Bristol, connecting two important UK business locations.

“Our Teesside to Heathrow service starts today, and these announcements mean we are already looking at increasing flights to London.”

Dave Lees of Bristol Airport said: “Frequent flights will help foster strong links for business and tourism."