A FLIGHT from Teesside Airport to Portugal has taken off for the first time in 13 years.

The Ryanair flight jetted off from the airport today, destined for Faro, in Portugal's Algarve. 

Portugal is the latest Ryanair service to depart from the airport and joins Palma in Majorca and Alicante, both launched earlier this month.

Mike and Chris Spence, from Heighington, in Darlington, who have a holiday home in the Algarve, were among the passengers on board.

Mike said: “We had booked tickets to fly out from Newcastle but when this route went on sale we cancelled those and rebooked to fly from Teesside. We couldn’t miss the opportunity to fly from our local airport and it’s just magical to be back again.

“The staff are so excited and passionate about all of the improvements and it comes across in how they deal with the passengers. It was also a huge relief to see the new bag scanners in the security area so we didn’t have to empty our bags and pass things through separately. 

"We’re over the moon to be using the airport again and we can’t wait to keep using it in the future.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This is the third of Ryanair’s four routes to take to the skies from Teesside Airport.

“Ryanair came to our airport with two popular destinations, the much-requested Majorca and Alicante, and thanks to the uptake of these flights by local people, it allowed them to expand by adding two more destinations in rapid succession.

“This proves that with the right flights and the right investment, local people when given a proper choice, are keen to use their local airport and help to make it the success we know it can be.”