The final passengers of the summer season are jetting from Teesside as the airport reflects on a successful 2022.
But Teesside Airport is now looking forward to a take off in ticket sales for next year’s expanded route schedule.
The airport, at Middleton St George, has reported its biggest summer in almost a decade this year, during which holiday flight passenger numbers have averaged more than 90-per cent capacity.
It said figures showed it was also one of the only airports in the North to see customer numbers soar higher than pre-pandemic levels, serving 23,358 passengers in August 2022, compared to 12,284 in August 2019.
Teesside was also named as the most punctual airport in the country in July, at the height of its busiest season, with no flights cancelled during the month.
Read more: Teesside Airport was 'the most punctual airport in the country' this summer
It believes the hard work has paid off, with passengers praising the airport and its facilities.
One regular flyer, Ginette McGouran, from Acklam, said: “We’ve flown three times this year from Teesside to Alicante.
“It’s the best airport going. It’s perfect for us!”
Other passengers Yvonne and Martin Rose said: “We live in Darlington and normally always fly from Leeds Bradford.
“This time we chose Teesside. What a brilliant little airport, it’s so quick.
“We were through in minutes.
“We would love more flights from here, Malaga or Tenerife in the winter would be perfect.”
The season officially draws to a close over the weekend as British Summer Time ends with the clocks going back an hour early on Sunday (October 30).
But the airport has said holidaymakers can look forward to a new TUI route for 2023, to Antalya in Turkey.
Those flights are now on sale, alongside those to Palma, Majorca.
Palma flights are scheduled every Tuesday from May 9 until October 24, with Antalya flights each Thursday, from May 25 until September 21.
Ryanair’s summer 2023 flights to Palma and Alicante, on Spain’s Costa Blanca, along with flights this winter to Alicante, are also now on sale.
Flights to the Greek isle of Corfu and Faro, in the Portuguese Algarve, are due to be bookable in the coming weeks.
Read more: Teesside Airport 'should not be asking for any more money' after £20m boost
Balkan Holidays is also offering trips to the sunny shores of Bulgaria, initially every Sunday from May 21 until September 17, which will be joined by a second Thursday flight from June 22 until September 7.
Further afield, KLM’s twice-daily service to Amsterdam Schiphol connects with more than 300 onward destinations worldwide.
Closer to home, Loganair flies to popular city break destinations of Aberdeen, Belfast and Dublin.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “With the nights drawing in and a definite chill in the air, it’s right around this time that people start to plan their summer breaks.
“After an incredibly successful 2022, Teesside will be doing it all again next year with another packed schedule of flights to the locations local people have been crying out for, now including Antalya, Turkey.
“We’ve also proven that our £3million terminal transformation has paid off, with satisfied passengers passing through from check-in to departures in no time.
“Air traffic control and airside crews have been doing their bit to keep everything moving too, and, thanks to everyone’s efforts, we continue to be one of the UK’s most punctual airports.”
He added: “In almost doubling our pre-pandemic passenger numbers, it’s clear people from across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool are getting behind their local airport and we’re looking forward to an even brighter 2023.”
Read next:
Councillors agree to give Teesside Airport another £20m
Teesside Airport workers could strike next month in pay row
Teesside Airport: New cargo handling facility opens today
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